Morges is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque villages around Lake Geneva. With an old town full of cobblestone alleys, scenic views of Lake Geneva throughout the small town, and countless flowers in the parks, it’s very easy to see why this quaint village attracts so many visitors from all over the world.
This visitor’s guide includes all the best attractions and landmarks in the town and its surroundings, from the park’s famous markets and gardens to castles that are just a short train ride away from Morges. Read on to learn more about this gorgeous town and see how you can spend your days on the shore of Lake Geneva!
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How to Get to Morges, Switzerland
Situated on the northern bank of Lake Geneva, Morges is a very easy town to reach from virtually anywhere in Switzerland. Direct trains to Morges are available from as far as Zurich and will get you across to the country in only some 2 hours. Geneva, Lucerne, and Bern also have direct connections to Morges.
If you’re trying to reach the village from eastern Switzerland, you can still do it by train but with a change or two, most likely at Lausanne. Morges is also easily accessible by roads and you can just drive there if you have a car, and it’s only about 35 minutes by train from the Geneva airport.
Best Things to Do in Morges, Switzerland
Visit The Museums in Château de Morges
The Morges Castle was initially built in the Middle Ages as one of the town’s fortifications. The construction of the castle was ordered by Louis of Savoy back in the 13th century, and it’s been an integral part of the town’s architecture and history ever since.
Today, Chateau de Morges houses five museums that will walk you through the past 3-4 centuries of the town’s history. If you want to learn more about this town and what its locals have been through over the ages, this is by far the best place to visit.
The museums under the roof of Morges Castle are the Military Museum, the Police Museum, the Padarewski Museum, the Artillery Museum, and the Figurine Museum. All of the museums explore the military significance of this town, with various weapons, battle reenactments, and historic guides for the most important events in Morges’ history.
Smell The Flowers Parc de l’Indépendance
Situated directly at the shore of Lake Geneva, Parc de l’Indépendance is the best destination in town for visitors who want to spend an afternoon relaxing and having a blast. The park is perfect for a leisurely stroll, picnics, and just sitting on one of the benches and taking in the views.
It’s a beautiful landscaped park, with numerous tulips planted throughout. There’s also a Giant Sequoia tree in this park, and those are not very common in Switzerland. You’ll also see quite a few statues at this park, as well as a lovely gazebo that provides some very necessary shade on hot summer days.
The park is in full glory in spring, especially during the tulip festival when more than 100,000 flowers are in full bloom. On a clear sunny day, the views from the park stretch all the way to the Alps, and sometimes you can even see Mont Blanc from the shore!
Admire The Flower Displays at the Tulip Festival
The Tulip Festival is one of the most popular events in the town. It takes place at the Park of Independence from early April through mid-May. The festival sees approximately 120,000 tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils in full bloom in the park. More than 300 varieties of tulips are planted throughout the park, and the entire place is full of gorgeous colors and amazing scents.
Once the festival is over, most tulip bulbs are sold at the town market. Additionally, it’s worth noting that it’s possible to get food and drinks at the park during the festival. Locals will set up stalls throughout the park, so all the essentials are available to visitors.
Day Trip To La Sarraz Castle
La Sarraz Castle is about 25 minutes away from Morges by car or 35 minutes by train. If you’re traveling by public transport, you will need to change trains at Renens, and in 15 minutes you will be at La Sarraz. The historic castle is just a short walk away from the train station.
The castle is open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM, except on Mondays. You can tour the castle and its exhibition on your own, or you can sign up for a guided tour if you prefer to learn more about the history of this wonderful place.
Additionally, the Horse Museum is also on the grounds, and it’s worth visiting if you’re already in the area and looking for more things to do. This museum is open an hour longer than the castle museums and it doesn’t take too long to explore its exhibits.
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Shop Local Goods at Morges Weekly Market
The Morges Market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday year-round. Locals set up stalls along the town’s main pedestrian street (Grand Rue), and the historic center of Morges truly comes to life.
You can chop everything Swiss at this market. Delicious local cheeses, chocolates, dried meat, fresh produce, and handcrafted goods are available at the market, among other things. If you want to get some local souvenirs in Morges, this is by far the best place to shop for them, especially if you would rather get something unique and handcrafted, and not just a mass-produced item like a magnet or a postcard.
Follow Into The Steps Of Audrey Hepburn
It’s a well-known fact in Morges that Audrey Hepburn chose to settle down in this quaint municipality. It was the ideal location for her to raise her children away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, and the famous actress spent more than three decades in the small village.
Hepburn lived in Tolochenaz, a village just one bus stop away from Morges. It would take you about 25 minutes to walk from the center of Morges to her grave in the Tolochenaz cemetery, or just 12 minutes if you decided to take the bus.
While there’s no museum exhibit detailing the life of the Hollywood icon in Switzerland, it is possible to visit places in Morges that she was known to frequent. Audrey Hepburn got married to Andrea Dotti in the town hall, she often visited the town market for shopping and used the back door of the Dumas grocery shop to escape the incessant paparazzi.
Stroll Through The Vineyards with Views of Château Vufflens
Château Vufflens is the most famous castle in the Morges region and one of the best attractions to visit from the charming village. You can get there by train from Morges in less than 10 minutes and the train station is just across the street from the medieval castle.
It’s estimated that Château Vufflens dates back to the 15th century and it’s one of the most important brick castles in Switzerland.
The bad news is that the chateau is private property and cannot be toured. Instead, you can go on a quick 30-minute stroll through the nearby vineyards, which offer beautiful views of this Middle Ages chateau. You only need about an hour to travel from Morges to Château Vufflens and tour the nearby vineyards, so this excursion can easily be squeezed into your travel itinerary.
Lakeside Stroll At Bord du Lac
Bord du Lac is Morges’ waterfront promenade perfect for casual strolls. Walk along the shore of the lake and admire the countless boats that are docked in the marina, stopping every now and then to take in the views or sit down for a little while on one of the many benches along the way.
The promenade stretches all the way from Nautique Morgien boat club to the northeastern edge of the village. You can continue walking all the way to the Préverenges beaches, where you can jump in the lake for a quick swim.
Additionally, you’ll pass quite a few landmarks and cafes/restaurants along the way, as well as enjoy some truly stunning landscape views. There are also many piers along Bord du Lac, which will offer uninterrupted Lake Geneva vistas.
Best Time to Visit Morges
If you want to experience Morges in its full glory, it’s best to visit the town in April or May. That’s when the Tulip Festival takes place in the Park of Independence, and it’s one of the highlights of this town. The weather is also nice and warm, but it’s worth noting that May is the rainiest month in Morges.
Travelers who just want to visit when it’s warm so they might even be able to go for a dip in the lake should plan a trip between June and September. Those are the warmest (and driest) months in Morges, a town that’s an awesome destination for a summer vacation.
There’s also merit to visit Morges in the winter. The town is even more charming when the Christmas Market is set up and all the main historic areas are decorated with fairy lights and other Christmas decorations. Also, some great ski resorts are pretty close to Morges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Morges known for?
Morges is known for castles, seaside views, a stunning old town, and Audrey Hepburn. The iconic Hollywood actress put this lovely town on the map, and we couldn’t be more grateful!
What language is spoken in Morges, Switzerland?
Most people in Morges speak French as their primary language. It’s estimated that around 80% of the town’s population speaks French, followed by German and then Italian.