Les Avants - Lake Geneva (Vaud)

The shortest route to the pure air of the pre-Alps

Available: all year round

Example travel costs

Montreux Riviera Card: FREE 

Half Fare Card: 50% discount to Montreux, then 8 Sfr return

Swiss Travel Pass: FREE travel to Montreux, then 8 Sfr return

6 Sfr return for the funicular to Sonloup.

Nestled beneath the Dent de Jaman and Les Rochers-de-Naye, the tiny village of Les Avants is a magical place for walking, particularly in May when great stretches of beautiful narcissi come into bloom.

In winter, one of the region's most beautiful toboggan runs delights young and old alike. The Les Avants-Sonloup funicular railway was built in 1910 and has recently been renovated. It is unusual in still having its original carriages and machinery, which themselves are well worth a look.

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Contact us to book your holiday

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com

Les Avants-Sonloup funicular

Built in 1910 and recently renovated, the Les Avants-Sonloup funicular has the special feature of having kept its carriages and machinery from the good old times. A curiosity that is worth seeing.

On 14 December 1910, the funicular between Les Avants and Sonloup started operation. More than 100 years later, the funicular and its famous red carriages still flicker in the landscape, pulled by an electric engine fuelled at the Les Avants train station, a technical achievement - and a first in Switzerland.

The funicular runs a distance of 532 metres on a gradient of up to 54.5%. The scenic route includes a stone viaduct with eleven arches.

Refreshments

You may like to pause awhile at the Hotel Sonloup, which offers a varied menu, including fish, fresh from Lake Geneva. It is also a pleasure to simply sit with a drink on the shady terrace and enjoy the view. 

Trains to Les Avants depart frequently from Montreux. You can easily get to to Montreux from Lausanne, Vevey or La Tour-de-Peliz by boat, rail or bus.

Once in Les Avants, you will need to change to the funicular to reach Sonloup.

Please check before travel for maintenance closures. 

Request your holiday quotation

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com