Montreux Jazz Festival – the perfect day out for music lovers

Every year, the town of Montreux on Lake Geneva comes to life with the 2 week Jazz Festival and has done since 1967. It is now the second largest annual jazz festival in the world with over 200,000 visitors and 2014 see’s it’s 48th year!

While the festival used to consist exclusively of jazz music, this opened up in the 1970s to all genres though jazz still remains at its heart. The festival is immortalised each year with a fabulous poster designed by renowned artists.

We are super lucky here in Morzine to be just over an hour away from Montreux and so the festival provides us with an excellent chance to visit the lake and take in some of their shows. It is also a great time to come to Morzine (between 4th and 19th July) so you can plan a trip down to the festival during your stay.

This years lineup is excellent as usual with headline performances from Stevie Wonder, Van Morrisson, Pharrell Williams, Paloma Faith, London Grammar, Outkast and Goldfrapp. Phew!

The actual performances aside, it is just a fantastic time to daytrip to Montreux as the lake lights up in the sunlight and the promenade is filled with fantastic food stalls, street performers and trinket stalls a-plenty. There is a truly buzzing atmosphere and the festival is sure to provide you with memories you won’t forget!

Basing yourself in Morzine at Hotel L’aubergade, with prices from as little as €28 per person means you can also make the most of the fantastic Portes du Soleil when you are not heading to a gig!