๐ผ The 10 Most Beautiful Watchtowers of Western Switzerland in 2020
๐ผ The 10 Most Beautiful Watchtowers of French-speaking Switzerland in 2020
Sommaire
Viewpoints of Western Switzerland
French-speaking or Western Switzerland has seven observation towers that allow you to observe the view from the place where they were built. To these observation towers, la Torpille adds here the three cathedrals which allow to enjoy a nice view.
Observation towers
7 observation towers are available in Western Switzerland:
- Chaumont Observation Tower
- Telecom Tower of Gibloux
- Bois des Brigands Keep
- Sauvabelin Tower and Park
- Telecom Tower of Mont-Pelerin
- Jรผrgensen Tower
- Champ-Pittet Observation Tower
Chaumont Observation Tower
- ๐ Rating (max 3): โญโญโญ
- ๐๏ธ Construction: 1912
- ๐ Structure: Concrete
- ๐ Heigth: 60 m
- ๐ฒ Price: Paid
- ๐บ๏ธ Location: Neuchรขtel (NE)
- ๐๏ธ View: Alps, Seeland Lakes
- ๐ก Attractions: Funicular, Accrobranche, playground
- ๐ Access from parking: 5 minutes
- ๐ Details about the Chaumont Observation Tower
The Chaumont observation tower is built next to the funicular railway station linking the city of Neuchรขtel to Chaumont. It is a concrete structure built at the beginning of the 20th century and from the top of which one can enjoy an extraordinary view, up close, of the Seeland region with the lakes of Biel, Murten and Neuchรขtel and, in the distance, of all the Alps with well-known mountains such as the Matterhorn or Mont Blanc. 17 peaks of more than 4’ooo meters are visible with the help of an observation table.
In the immediate vicinity of the tower is the Parc Aventure Chaumont accrobranche as well as the funicular of Chaumont.
Observation tower
View on the Seeland region and the Alps
Drone video
Telecom Tower of Gibloux
- ๐ Rating (max 3): โญโญโญ
- ๐๏ธ Construction: 1994
- ๐ : Structure: Concrete
- ๐ Heigth: 37 m
- ๐ฒ Price: Free
- ๐บ๏ธ Location: Gruyรจre (FR)
- ๐๏ธ View: Alps, Jura, Gruyรจre
- ๐ก Attraction: Walks around the antenna
- ๐ Access from parking: 45 minutes
- ๐ Details about the Telecom Tower of Gibloux
The Mont-Gibloux antenna is a radio broadcasting tower in the canton of Fribourg. It can be reached in 45 minutes on foot from the car park where you have to leave your vehicle. The Mont-Gibloux antenna offers a panoramic terrace that can be reached by a spiral staircase along the tower. The terrace is closed in winter due to the danger of falling ice.
Tower of Mont-Gibloux
360-degree view
Drone video
Bois des Brigands Keep
- ๐ Rating (max 3): โญโญ
- ๐๏ธ Construction: 2006
- ๐ : Structure: Wood
- ๐ Heigth: 12 m
- ๐ฒ Price: Free
- ๐บ๏ธ Location: Gros-de-Vaud (VD)
- ๐๏ธ View: Fribourg, Bern and Valais Alps
- ๐ก Attraction: Didactic paths on nature
- ๐ Access from parking: 5 minutes
- ๐ Details about the Bois des Brigands Keep
The Bois des Brigands Keep is a wooden tower that allows you to enjoy a beautiful view of the Alps. The surrounding park offers educational attractions on the theme of nature.
Tower of Bois des Brigands
View on the Alps
Drone video
Sauvabelin Tower
- ๐ Rating (max 3): โญโญ
- ๐๏ธ Construction: 2003
- ๐ : Structure: Wood
- ๐ Heigth: 30 m
- ๐ฒ Price: Gratuit
- ๐บ๏ธ Location: Lausanne (VD)
- ๐๏ธ View: Lake Geneva Basin
- ๐ก Attractions: Lake, animal park, playground
- ๐ Access from parking: 5 minutes
- ๐ Details about the Sauvabelin Tower
The Sauvabelin Tower is a wooden tower located on the heights of Lausanne. Built with the wood of the region, a magnificent staircase allows you to climb to its top and stand above the treetops to enjoy a beautiful view of the Lake Geneva basin and the Alps.
The tower is located in the Sauvabelin park which also includes an animal park, a lake, a beautiful playground and a restaurant.
Tower of Sauvabelin
Drone video
Telecom Tower of Mont-Pelerin
- ๐ Rating (max 3): โญโญ
- ๐๏ธ Construction: 1974
- ๐ : Structure: Concrete
- ๐ Heigth: 64 m
- ๐ฒ Price: Paid
- ๐บ๏ธ Location: Riviera (VD)
- ๐๏ธ View: Geneva Lake Basin, Alps
- ๐ก Attraction: –
- ๐ Access from parking: 30 minutes
- ๐ Details about the Telecom Tower of Mont-Pelerin
The radio broadcasting antenna on Mont-Pelerin was built in the 1970s. It can be reached in 30 minutes from the car park where you have to leave your vehicle. A lift called “Plein Ciel” is added against the tower to reach its summit. A beautiful 360-degree view allows you to observe the Lake Geneva basin, the Alps and the Gros-de-Vaud region.
Tower of Mont-Pelerin
Geneva Lake Basin view
Video
Jรผrgensen Tower
- ๐ Rating (max 3): โญ
- ๐๏ธ Construction: 1870s
- ๐ : Structure: Brick
- ๐ Hauteur: 14 m
- ๐ฒ Price: Free
- ๐บ๏ธ Location: Le Locle (NE)
- ๐๏ธ View: Lake Brenets
- ๐ก Attraction: Lake Brenets nearby
- ๐ Access from parking: 15 minutes
- ๐ Details about the Jรผrgensen Tower
The Jรผrgensen Tower is a structure built in the 19th century which, after a 15-minute ascent from the car park, offers a view of Lake Brenets, which forms the border with France.
In the immediate vicinity of the tower is the Doubs Falls which can be reached by boat.
Jรผrgensen Tower
Lake Brenets view
Drone video
Champ-Pittet Observation Tower
- ๐ Rating (max 3): –
- ๐๏ธ Construction: 2016
- ๐ : Structure: Wood
- ๐ Heigth: 3 m
- ๐ฒ Price: Free
- ๐บ๏ธ Location: Nord vaudois (VD)
- ๐๏ธ View: Shores of Lake Neuchรขtel
- ๐ก Attractions: Champ-Pittet Nature Reserve
- ๐ Access from parking: 10 minutes
- ๐ Dรฉtails about the Champ-Pittet Observation Tower
The Champ-Pittet observation tower is part of a nature reserve. Its purpose is to observe wildlife and in particular birds of passage along the wild shore of Lake Neuchรขtel.
Tower of Champ-Pittet
View on the shores of Lake Neuchรขtel
Video
Cathedrals
3 cathedrals in Western Switzerland have a tower available for visits:
Lausanne Cathedral
- ๐ Rating (max 3): โญโญโญ
- ๐๏ธ Construction: 1170-1235
- ๐ : Structure: Stone
- ๐ Heigth: About 60 m
- ๐ฒ Price: Paid
- ๐บ๏ธ Location: Lausanne (VD)
- ๐๏ธ View: City of Lausanne, Geneva Lake Basin, Fribourgeoises, Valais and French Alps
- ๐ก Attractions: Lausanne Historical Museum, Saint-Maire Castle, Mudac.
- ๐ Access from parking: 5 minutes
- ๐ Details about the Lausanne Cathedral
The belfry of Lausanne Cathedral, i.e. the tower containing the bells, offers a beautiful view of the city of Lausanne and the Lake Geneva basin.
Belfry Tower
View on the Lake Geneva region and the Alps
Drone video
Geneva Cathedral
- ๐ Rating (max 3): โญโญ
- ๐๏ธ Construction: Starting from 12th century
- ๐ : Structure: Stone
- ๐ Heigth: About 30 m
- ๐ฒ Price: Paid
- ๐บ๏ธ Location: Geneva (GE)
- ๐๏ธ View: City of Geneva, bay of Geneva, French Jura
- ๐ Access from parking: 10 minutes
- ๐ Details about the Geneva Cathedral
The two towers of Geneva Cathedral surrounding the green copper arrow allow you to enjoy a beautiful view of the city of Geneva and in particular the bay with the Jet d’eau. On a clear day, it is possible to see the Mont-Blanc.
Cathedral towers
View on the City of Geneva
Drone video inside the cathedral
Fribourg Cathedral
- ๐ Rating (max 3): โญ
- ๐๏ธ Construction: 1490
- ๐ : Structure: Stone
- ๐ Heigth: 76 m
- ๐ฒ Price: Paid
- ๐บ๏ธ Location: Sarine (FR)
- ๐๏ธ View: City of Fribourg, Fribourg Prealps
- ๐ Access from parking: 5 minutes
- ๐ Details about the Fribourg Cathedral
The top of the cathedral tower can be reached after nearly 400 spiral staircases. It mainly allows you to enjoy a beautiful view of the whole of Friburg’s old town and its fortifications.
Cathedral tower
View on the Fribourg oldtown
Drone video
Mapping of watchtowers
The following link shows the geographical location of the watchtowers.
Questions
What is the highest observation tower in Western Switzerland?
- The cathedral of Fribourg is, at 76 meters high, the highest observation platform in French-speaking Switzerland.
Which is the tower with the most beautiful view in Western Switzerland?
- The Chaumont tower with its magnificent view of the entire Alps is the most beautiful observation post in French-speaking Switzerland.
What are the most beautiful urban views?
- The cathedrals of Fribourg and Geneva offer the most beautiful urban views in French-speaking Switzerland.
What are the free observation towers in Western Switzerland?
- Bois des Brigands Keep
- Telecom Tower of Mont-Gibloux
- Sauvabelin Tower
- Champ-Pittet Observation Tower
- Jรผrgensen Tower
What is the most original tower in Western Switzerland?
- The Sauvabelin tower with its double spiral staircase is the most original tower in French-speaking Switzerland.
Which is the tower that doesn’t require stairs?
- The summit of the Mont-Pelerin antenna is accessible by a lift. It is the only case of an observation tower in French-speaking Switzerland. However, to reach the foot of the Mont-Pelerin tower, it takes 45 minutes to walk uphill.
What are the different types of observation towers?
- Wood (Bois des Brigands, Sauvabelin)
- Brick (Jรผrgensen)
- Concrete (Chaumont, Mont-Gibloux, Mont-Pelerin)
- Stone (Cathedrals of Lausanne, Fribourg and Geneva)