Ouchy Castle

An emblem of the Lausanne landscape, the Château d'Ouchy stands on Lake Geneva with its feet in the water. It attracts tourists and locals alike, who are charmed by its ancient and romantic history.

Rustic and chic, the castle sits enthroned in the midst of nature, immersing us in a tale of a thousand and one stories. In 1117, a tower was built thanks to Bishop Landri de Durnes. It was not until a century later that the building was extended and fortified for bishops including Guillaume de Varax.

The rest of the story is a little murky: the residence became a prison and then, during the Bernese era, was completely abandoned in the 16th century. Its tower was reduced to ashes in 1609 and its keep became a granary.

During the Middle Ages, the castle became the property of the Bernese bailiffs and then of the State of Vaud.

Between 1889 and 1893, businessman Jean-Jacques Mercier bought the house and carried out a major redevelopment of the grounds. According to the official Château d'Ouchy website, Mercier had all the old foundations demolished, with the exception of the keep. The château was transformed into a hotel infrastructure by the architect Francis Isoz, and is now listed as a Swiss cultural heritage site of regional importance.

This timeless bubble transports holidaymakers into a dreamy, bucolic atmosphere. The hotel, which is part of the Sandoz Foundation hotel group, enjoys a prime location, with the lake as far as the eye can see, the mountains as a backdrop, and trees of a thousand colours in the surrounding area.

The château combines original features with a contemporary style and touches of luxury and modernity. From the outside, the building impresses with its decorated roof and turrets. Inside, the castle's former courtyard has been transformed into a hall with a spacious, light-filled glass-covered bar. The interior design reflects the castle's majestic history.

All the facilities have been well thought out for guests' comfort. The hotel's outdoor swimming pool is small but neat and welcoming, surrounded by trees. Discreet, it also offers a poolside drinks service, available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Well-being and relaxation continue in the wellness area with its sauna/hammam and sensory shower. Not far from this bubble of relaxation is the boudoir, where you can recharge your batteries and escape for a treatment.

The 50 rooms are elegant and simply decorated in muted tones, with cream leather headboards, white bed linen and wooden floors. Some offer beautiful views of Lake Geneva or the French Alps.

The four suites have retained the spirit of the château of yesteryear. All on one floor, they offer a unique look and feature magnificent 19th-century neo-Gothic furniture, gleaming hardwood floors and stone archways, dormer windows and painted beams. Overall, the rooms and suites are spacious, with large picture windows and richly decorated curtains.

For an even more incredible experience, the medieval tower reveals a beautiful suite with lots of character, a frescoed wooden ceiling and windows in every corner.

🍴 Where to eat?

The Château d'Ouchy is home to the 57 ̊ Grill restaurant. Its name comes from the chef's belief in the perfect cooking of steak: 57 degrees. Gourmets will enjoy steaks that are tender, pink and crispy all at the same time. The contemporary cuisine includes t-bone steaks, chicken kebabs and grilled lamb chops. Much of the meat is local, but the menu also draws on American influences.

In terms of décor and ambience, the kitchen is right in the middle of the room, opening out into a New York-inspired setting that's elegant, chic and relaxed.