Chateau de Chillon is a romantic castle in Lake Geneva near Montreux. Chillon Castle is the most-visited historic monument in Switzerland and a great family-friendly destination.Chateau de Chillon has a beautiful location on a small island in the far western end of Lake Geneva between Montreux and Villeneuve. This romantic castle was long of strategic importance in controlling trade in the Lake Geneva region.The dungeons inspired Lord Byron.Chateau de Chillon’s history goes back to the twelfth century when a castle was built on a small rocky island in Lake Geneva by the rulers of Savoy. From here, Savoy could control trade and traffic in the Lake Geneva region, as well as very important trade routes to Italy.The most famous historical figure associated with the Chateau de Chillon is François Bonivard, a Genevan monk who was imprisoned here from 1532 to 1536. Bonivard preached the message of the Protestant Reformation in the lands ruled by the Roman Catholic House of Savoy.
