Have you ever visited a place and thought to yourself, ‘Wow, I will never forget this experience?’ For many, this happens at Morges in Switzerland, also known as the ‘City of Flowers.’ Although Morges is a small town, it has beautiful tourist destinations worth visiting. You will be surprised by how many things you can do and the places you can see in this hidden gem.
Before looking at the list, let’s talk about this small town. Morges is a city in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Morges is a French-speaking town that’s home to around 16,000 inhabitants, founded in 1286 by Louis de Savoie, who built the castle there. Not only that, but the town is also a dominant wine producer in the Vaud canton and part of the wine region of La Côte.
Since Morges is located on the shores of Lake Geneva, you get an exceptional view of the Alps, especially of Mont Blanc. You can also explore the other sights and towns by taking a boat cruise or walking along the promenade.
12 Best Things To Do In Morges, Switzerland
Undoubtedly, Morges has many popular tourist attractions, which is one reason why the town has frequent visitors each year, especially during the Tulip Festival in spring. After all, putting Morges in your travel plans is never a bad idea! So if you plan to visit Morges any time soon, here’s a list of some things to do and places to discover.
Visit Parc de l’Indépendance
If you want to enjoy the flowers for free, the Parc de l’independance is the one. This place offers astonishing scenery and ambiance, with many benches along the way that are perfect for a picnic day. There are also art sculptures on the ground to add an extra level of cultural dimension.
The Parc de l’independance is an ideal oasis for family walks, and it has over 50 species of trees, even horse chestnut trees planted back in 1750. You can find the park near the castle and Lake Geneva, and it is the ideal place for a relaxing stroll. One of the best things about this park is the views of the Alps, Mont Blanc, and Lake Geneva, as they create a breathtaking backdrop.
If you happen to visit the park during spring, be prepared to be surrounded by a variety of flowers, more specifically tulips. In the spring, the park hosts one of the region’s most famous flower displays, known as the Tulip Festival. The park truly blooms when the colors of more than 100,000 flowers and special events captivate the town.
But the park is not just about the flowers; it also commemorates a historical event. On January 24, 1898, the residents of Morges celebrated the 100th anniversary of their independence, and that’s how the famous Parc de l’independance got its name.
Visit Château Vufflens
If you want to explore something more private, the Chateau Vufflens is the ideal place. The castle is the most celebrated in Morges, dating from the 15th century. Chateau Vufflens is an example of a small group of Romandy castles that date from the Middle ages and have a unique brick construction.
If you take a walk in the vineyards, you will be amazed at the stunning view of the Chateau. Unfortunately, the castle itself is not open for public viewing since it’s privately owned.
Still, the 30-minute walk around the vineyards is enough to make you fall in love with this magnificent castle. Along the walk, you can also see Mont-Blanc and the lake. You could also get to Vufflens by train, bus, taxi, or foot – whatever you feel on that day.
Visit La Sarraz Castle
Another medieval castle that’s worth visiting is La Sarraz Castle. The castle was built in 1049, located on a rocky ridge between Morges and Yverdon-Les-Bains. It looks like a family home because it has always belonged to the barons of La Sarraz until it turned into a museum.
The fascinating part about this castle is that it’s decorated with works of art and furniture, giving it a cozy ambiance. When the Chateau turned into a museum, it included valuable objects collected by the generations of La Sarraz barons.
Additionally, in 1982, some enthusiasts opened the Musee du Cheval, also known as the Horse Museum, a collection of Napoleon’s 1st saddles, the horse of stagecoaches, sculptures of horses, etc.
Visit La Tine de Conflens
Let’s take a walk away from the castles and visit the marvelous waterfall of the Tine de Conflens. This waterfall stands between La Sarraz and Ferreyres, and it doesn’t take too long to get there. You can start the walk in Cossonay, head in the direction of La Sarraz, cross forests and fields passing by Dizy, and you’re there.
La Tine de Conflens is a beloved attraction for tourists because of the picnic tables set along the way, making it a perfect stop for lunch or a picnic. Along with the villages, there are many drinking water fountains you can use to drink from or take a picture of.
The tumultuous waters of the Venoge and the Veyron have created canyons in the limestone rock. The best part about it is that the waterfalls are visible and feel like a breath of fresh air. If you want to go to the bottom of the gorges, there’s a sign you can follow where you can admire the torrential pots touching the water.
Take the Bimmelbahn through the vineyards
If you’re up for an excursion, the miniature train or Bimmelbahn is perfect. There are three daily rides, starting at 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm. The first and last ride takes you for a trip around Morges, while the 3 pm ride takes you through the local vineyards.
So if you want to enjoy a beautiful view of the countryside, the vineyards, and the Vufflens castle, the 3 pm ride is the one. Apart from these hours, the Bimmelbahn runs special hours too. Here is their website to check for more details.
Taste some local wine
What would a trip around the vineyards be without tasting some local vine? Depending on your itinerary, you can expect a glorious wine journey, followed by some wine tasting, often accompanied by charcuterie boards and cheese.
However, the vineyards of the Morges region are characterized by authentic villages, cellars, and colorful markets. You can take a walk down the villages and stop at several tasting spots at the winemakers of Morges. In every Morges cellar, the winemaker offers you the chance to taste six wines for 15 CHF and a free tasting after buying six bottles.
Visit Le Chateau de Morges et ses Musees
Let’s take another visit to the Middle Ages with the Chateau de Morges – a fortress dedicated to protecting the city. The castle is a medieval castle built in the 13th century by Louis of Savoy.
This is not just a castle; it also includes several other museums – a military museum, an artillery museum, a figurine museum, and a police museum.
The Military Museum – has 350 years of history, and its main focus is the locals from the region of Lake Geneva who went into Foreign Service and military writers.
The Artillery Museum – showcases the history of cannons that date from the Burgundy wars.
The Figurine Museum – includes a collection of historic battlefield reconstitutions, with figurines dressed in warrior and military uniforms. Raoul Gerard put the collection together.
The Police Museum – was founded in 1803, showing the history of the Lake Geneva police corps.
If you want more information about Morges Castle and its museums, you can check out their website (in French) here.
Follow in the footsteps of Audrey Hepburn
Taking a stroll to find Audrey Hepburn’s last home is one of the best experiences. Audrey lived in the beautiful small village of Tolochenaz, that’s only 5 minutes away from Morges. You can follow the “In the Steps of Audrey Hepburn” trail, which takes you around the village and to all the places that Audrey stepped in.
You can also spot another special place in Audrey’s life – the town hall in Morges where she got married. The next stop is the church of Tolochenaz, where her funeral ceremony occurred on January 24, 1993. And if you want a closer experience, you can visit ‘La Paisible,’ the house where Audrey lived, and the square where there’s a bronze bust of her.
The trail takes you right back to Morges and depending on how long you stop at each place, and it takes around an hour and a half to visit. Everything is low-key; there are no signs, just a small and peaceful village that gives you a calming experience with beautiful views. If you’re a fan of Audrey, this is worth a visit.
Visit Audrey Hepburn’s grave
While you’re still in Tolochenaz, you should take a moment to visit Audrey Hepburn’s well-kept grave. This will make you admire her even more once you see how modest her tomb is among several other tombs.
Her grave is in a local cemetery called “In the Footsteps of Audrey,” while she rests discreetly in the corner. The tomb has a stone cross and flowers that Audrey’s fans usually leave upon their visit. It is a touching experience indeed.
Enjoy a picnic by the lake
One of the most relaxing things you can do while in Morges is enjoy a picnic by the lake. You can bring your own food, or you can order from the nearby shops, but the latter offers a fancy experience as it comes with various choices, water, and wine to enjoy every bite.
Either way, sitting down in a lovely place along the harbor wall will give you an exceptional view of the lake while also enjoying regional delicacies in the sun.
Take a walk along the promenade
Wherever you go in Morges, you’re surrounded by flowers. As you walk along the promenade, you will be greeted by many tulips planted along the lake. You can walk and enjoy the stunning views across the lake at the same time.
Don’t miss the Tulip Festival
One thing you should not miss out on is the Tulip Festival during spring. The annual Tulip Festival has been taking place since 1971. It starts on April 1 and lasts for up to 9 days. Getting there is just a short walk from Morges train station, and if you’re coming by car, you can park right beside the castle.
Obviously, the best part about this festival is the tulips which are unique and beautiful to look at. There are around 120,000 flowers and over 300 varieties; best of all, it’s free. Besides tulips, there are other spring flowers and more than 50 varieties of trees. While there, you can also take a walk around the park and enjoy the views across Lake Geneva.
What Is the Best Time To Visit Morges?
Morges is great to visit all year round, but the best time would be from May to September. May is the ideal time if you’re planning on visiting the Tulip Festival. But if you’re looking for the warmest times to see Morges, then June, July, and August are great.
Spring is an exciting time to visit Morges because it’s the off-season when there are few tourists, and the flights are cheap. So if you want to take a walk down the park or enjoy the scenic mountain top views, this is the ideal time.
No matter the season, if you want to avoid huge crowds at major tourist attractions, it’s best to visit early or late in the afternoon. But remember that the weekends are always busy, especially during summer.
The Bottom Line
Morges is a beautiful town, with many things to see and do. You have everything from medieval chateaus to museums, vineyards, and tulips. It is a perfect place to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the lake and mountains, whether you want to relax in the park or explore exhibits in the museums. That said, people of all ages can enjoy the things that Morges has to offer and more.
