Switzerland's Montreaux Christmas Market Highlights Montreaux Noel

The Montreaux Christmas Market still may play second fiddle to the Montreaux Jazz Festival, but the four-week holiday showcase is making its own mark along Switzerland's shoreline with Lake Geneva, as one of the most popular European markets for the Christmas season.

The 2009 Montreaux Christmas Market begins on Nov. 26 and runs through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (on our Swiss watches!) from Sundays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Closing time is 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

This is the 15th annual edition of what the locals call Montreaux Noël, featuring "five different spaces and five different atmospheres." The Montreaux Christmas Market is the highlight of Montreaux Noël for holiday shopping, but it doesn't stand alone by any means.

More than 150 artisans and merchants ply their holiday gift creations at the Montreaux Christmas Market, housed in chalets that are decorated and brightly lit in holiday tradition. When shoppers opt to take breaks, that may taste local specialties such as Swiss fondue or raclette, which is a potato-and-cheese dish. Look for traditional Swiss wines and cheeses and, of course, a cup of hot Swiss chocolate is always nearby.

Who could be in Montreaux and ever want to leave Montreaux? Well, in the Swiss Alps a few miles above the Montreaux Christmas Market, there's a village by the name of Caux. The 2009 Montreaux Noël, for the first time, will promote Caux as "a special treat for this year's visitors." Highlights will include a live nativity scene, Santa Claus and his reindeer, and children's games and play areas. The Caux view of Lake Geneva and the Alps is breathtaking.

Even while Santa is occupied in Caux, he also somehow will manage to maintain his own Santa Claus House at Rochers de Naye, another village on the Montreux outskirts. Children may hand-deliver their letters to Saint Nick's office.

The guest of honor at the Montreux Christmas Market isn't a person, but an entire nation: Canada. On the Place du Marché, visitors will encounter displays and demonstrations of Canadian crafts, cuisine, culture and entertainment.

History buffs will want to visit "Middle Ages at the Château de Chillon," featuring story telling that is illustrated by medieval characters in period costumes. Learn about the Counts of Savoie. This feature, however, is weekends only.

Other Swiss holiday markets are based in Geneva and Lousanne.

SOURCES

www.montreuxnoel.com

http://www.montreuxnoel.com/main.php?lang=en