Lake Geneva & Vaud · VD
Photoshoots in Montreux
A photoshoot in Montreux is a session with an independent professional photographer on the Montreux Riviera — the lakeside quay, the old town of Les Planches, Glion or Chillon Castle — arranged through Alpiora, from CHF 390.
Pricing
From CHF 250
- Region
- Lake Geneva & Vaud
- Elevation
- 396 m
- Photo spots
- 7
Starting price. The exact price depends on photographer, place, date, time and add-ons, and is stated in your proposal before you book.
Quick answers
- How much does it cost?
- Photoshoot in Montreux starts from CHF 250. The final price depends on the place, duration, date, time of day, travel and any add-ons such as video, and is stated in your proposal before you book.
- When is the best time?
- For the quay, book the last 90 minutes before sunset: the light comes along the lake, the water warms up and the mountains opposite turn pink.
- Which experiences are available here?
- Couple Photoshoot, Proposal Photography, Honeymoon Photography, Engagement Photography, Family Photoshoot, and Luxury Vacation Photography
- Getting there
- Montreux is on the main line along the lake: direct trains take about 20 minutes from Lausanne and about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 25 minutes from Geneva Airport; from Zurich allow around 2 hours 35 minutes with one change.
- Where does it take place?
- Popular places include Quai de Montreux and the flower promenade; Freddie Mercury statue and Place du Marché; Marché Couvert; Old town of Les Planches and the Saint-Vincent church terrace. Your photographer suggests the best spot for your date, the light and the crowds.
- How does booking work?
- Send a free request with your place, date and plans. Alpiora checks which photographers are available and replies with a proposal stating the photographer, the package and the exact price. Nothing is booked until you accept.
Montreux sits where Lake Geneva narrows towards the Rhône valley, and the mountains rise almost from the shoreline. That gives you two things few Swiss towns offer at once: a flat, flower-lined lakeside walk with palm trees, and real Alpine backdrops — the Dents du Midi across the water, the Rochers-de-Naye above you — without ever leaving town.
The town faces south-west over the lake, so the evening light comes down the length of the water. Most sessions here are for couples, proposals and honeymooners, often combined with Chillon Castle three kilometres along the shore or the Lavaux vineyard terraces to the west. A 60-minute session covers one area well; for the quay plus the castle, plan 90 minutes.
Our Montreux guide walks through getting between the promenade, Chillon and Lavaux by train and boat. When you know your dates, send an availability request and we reply personally with a suitable photographer and a price.
Photo spots — Montreux
- 01
Quai de Montreux and the flower promenade
The lakeside walk runs from Clarens past the centre to Territet: palms, clipped flowerbeds, sculptures and benches with the lake and the French Chablais mountains opposite. Stretches between the Casino and Territet are wide and calmer than the centre. It is the most versatile setting in town and works in every season.
- Best time
- The last 90 minutes before sunset; early morning for an empty promenade.
- Access
- Flat and step-free, 2–10 minutes on foot from Montreux station.
- 02
Freddie Mercury statue and Place du Marché
The bronze statue stands on the square by the water, arm raised, facing the lake. It is the most photographed point in Montreux, so use it for a quick frame rather than a long set, and move on to the quieter quay on either side.
- Best time
- Before 9.00 or after sunset; busy through the day and packed during the Jazz Festival.
- Access
- On the quay in the town centre, about 5 minutes on foot from the station.
- 03
Marché Couvert
The open cast-iron market hall on Place du Marché is listed as a heritage site of national significance. Its roof gives you a dry, evenly lit space with the lake just beyond the columns — the natural rain plan for a lakeside session.
- Best time
- Any time it is not hosting a market or event; useful in rain.
- Access
- Next to the Freddie Mercury statue, step-free.
- 04
Old town of Les Planches and the Saint-Vincent church terrace
Above the station, the old village of Les Planches has steep lanes, stone houses and the Rue du Pont bridge over the Baye de Montreux gorge. The esplanade of the Saint-Vincent church looks out over the rooftops to the lake, Chillon and the Dents du Midi — a quieter, more intimate frame than the quay.
- Best time
- Late afternoon, when the lanes are in soft light and the lake below still catches the sun.
- Access
- Steep streets and stairs, 10–15 minutes uphill from the station. Wear shoes with grip.
- 05
Glion
A small village on a balcony roughly 300 metres above the lake, with grand old hotels and open views over the whole eastern end of Lake Geneva, down to Chillon and into the Rhône valley. You get height and a wide panorama without the time or cost of a mountain summit.
- Best time
- Golden hour; in winter often above the low cloud that covers the lake.
- Access
- Cogwheel train from Montreux (about 10 minutes) or the funicular from Territet (about 8 minutes).
- 06
Rochers-de-Naye
The summit above Montreux, at 2,042 metres, looks over the whole lake on one side and the Alps on the other. It suits couples who want a mountain image on the same day as the lake. The summit is exposed and several degrees colder than the town.
- Best time
- Clear mornings or the last trains of a summer afternoon; check the webcam before you go.
- Access
- Cogwheel train from Montreux, about 55 minutes each way. Reduced service in winter — check the timetable.
- 07
Chillon Castle
The castle stands on a rock in the lake three kilometres south-east of the centre. The exterior can be photographed from the public lakeside path at any hour; inside is ticketed and has its own rules. See our Chillon Castle guide.
- Best time
- Late afternoon and evening, when side light reaches the lake-facing walls.
- Access
- Bus 201 from central Montreux (about 15 minutes) or a 45-minute walk along the lake.
Best time
Seasons
Montreux is a year-round location. Spring brings the flowerbeds and, usually in May, wild narcissi on the slopes above town. Summer is warm and long, but the Montreux Jazz Festival (3–18 July in 2026) fills the quay with stages and crowds. Autumn is the calmest and the light is softest; the vineyards to the west turn gold in October. From late November to 24 December the Christmas market takes over the quay — festive, but busy in the evenings.
Time of day
For the quay, book the last 90 minutes before sunset: the light comes along the lake, the water warms up and the mountains opposite turn pink. In midsummer the sun sets further round, behind the hills above Vevey, so the promenade falls into shade before the sky does. Early morning (7.00–9.00) gives you an almost empty promenade and still water.
Weather
The Riviera is sheltered and mild, which is why palm trees survive here. Summer brings the occasional afternoon thunderstorm, and from November to February a layer of low cloud can sit over the lake for days while Glion and the Rochers-de-Naye stay in sunshine. Your photographer will watch the forecast with you and can move the session within your stay.
Getting there
Montreux is on the main line along the lake: direct trains take about 20 minutes from Lausanne and about 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 25 minutes from Geneva Airport; from Zurich allow around 2 hours 35 minutes with one change. The GoldenPass Express runs from Montreux to Gstaad in about 1 hour 25 minutes and on to Interlaken. CGN boats, including Belle Époque paddle steamers in summer, link Montreux with Lausanne, Vevey and the Chillon pier. In town, bus 201 runs along the shore to Chillon and Villeneuve every 10–20 minutes.
Good to know
The quay, old town and Glion are public space: no permit is needed for a private photoshoot. Chillon Castle has its own rules for photography, drones and paid entry — read the Chillon guide before you plan to shoot inside. Camera drones must be registered with the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), may not fly over crowds, and are banned over the castle and the Grangettes nature reserve at the eastern end of the lake; check the federal drone map before any flight. During the Jazz Festival and the Christmas market, choose the quieter ends of the promenade.
- Book the session for the evening and meet on the quay; the old town and Glion are better as a second stop than a first.
- Bring a layer even in summer if you add Glion or the Rochers-de-Naye — it is noticeably cooler up there.
- Check the Jazz Festival and Christmas market dates before you choose your day.
- Lake blue, white, sand and soft greens photograph well against the water and the flowerbeds.
- If low cloud covers the lake in winter, move the session up to Glion.
- For a proposal, the calmer stretch of quay towards Territet is easier to keep private than the statue.
Experiences in Montreux
Related experiences
From CHF 390
Couple Photoshoot
A guided session for two, in a Swiss old town, by a lake or in the mountains, with a photographer who knows the light there.
1 hourExplore
From CHF 650
Proposal Photography
A photographer who hides, catches the moment you ask, and then takes relaxed portraits of the two of you. Planned with you in advance.
1 hourExplore
From CHF 650
Honeymoon Photography
Ninety unhurried minutes for newlyweds, at the stop of your Swiss trip that matters most, with a photographer who knows it.
1 h 30 minExplore
From CHF 390
Engagement Photography
A session for engaged couples, planned around what the photos are for: save-the-dates, invitations, a wedding website or your walls.
1 hourExplore
Photographer availability
We confirm availability for your date personally — send a request and we will check which reviewed photographers are free for this place and session.
Find a Photographer in MontreuxFrequently asked questions
Where are the best photo spots in Montreux?
The flower-lined quay between the centre and Territet, the old town of Les Planches with the Saint-Vincent church terrace, Glion above the lake, and Chillon Castle along the shore. The Freddie Mercury statue works for a quick frame but is busy all day. A 60-minute session usually covers one or two of these.
What is the best time of day for a photoshoot in Montreux?
The last 90 minutes before sunset, when the light runs along the lake and the mountains opposite turn warm. Early morning is the choice if you want the promenade to yourselves. Midday light is harsh on the water, especially in summer.
How much does a photoshoot in Montreux cost?
A couple photoshoot starts from CHF 390 and proposal photography from CHF 650. The final price depends on the photographer, date, duration and extras such as a second location or video. You receive the exact figure in your proposal before you book — see pricing.
Can we combine Montreux and Chillon Castle in one session?
Yes. The castle is 3 km from the centre: 15 minutes by bus 201 or a 45-minute walk along the lake. For the quay plus the castle exterior, plan at least 90 minutes so you are not rushing through the best light.
Is Montreux a good place for a surprise proposal?
Yes, especially on the quieter stretch of quay towards Territet, on the Saint-Vincent terrace or in Glion. The photographer can wait nearby looking like any passer-by. Our page on proposals in Montreux covers the details.
What if it rains on the day?
Light rain can be handled under the Marché Couvert or with umbrellas on the quay, which often photographs beautifully. In steady rain, your photographer will suggest moving the session within your stay; how rescheduling works is stated in your proposal.
Planning guides
The Best Honeymoon Photo Locations in Switzerland, Stop by Stop
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Montreux photoshoot guide: the Riviera, Chillon and Lavaux
Combining the Montreux quay, Chillon Castle and the Lavaux vineyard terraces in one trip: which to choose for a couple, proposal or honeymoon, how to move between them, and what to expect from the weather.
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Planning a Honeymoon Photoshoot in Switzerland
Which stop on your Swiss honeymoon to book the shoot in, when during the trip to schedule it, how long to plan for, what to wear, and a sensible weather back-up. A practical planning guide, not a location list.
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