Caves Ouvertes Vaudoises (Vaud Open Cellars) — a 3-day weekend in Lavaux

The weekend, day by day

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Lausanne

   Land at Geneva Airport (GVA), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.

2. Day 2

   Caves Ouvertes Vaudoises (Vaud Open Cellars)

   Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: Rent a bike and tackle the Lavaux UNESCO terraces systematically rather than driving—small producers in Épesses and Riex don't advertise widely but welcome cyclists directly. Taste Chasselas from lakeside growers like Clos des Abbayes only during this weekend; it's a mineral, saline wine that doesn't travel and rarely appears outside Switzerland's open-cellar events.

3. Day 3

   Wine country day in Lavaux

   Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.

Where to stay

Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.

• Hotels in Lausanne

  Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.

• 4–5 star options near Lausanne

  Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.

• Apartments in Lausanne

  Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.

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Practical

Nearest airport

Geneva Airport (GVA)

Festival site

Visit official site