Fairytale Travel: The Little Mermaid and Prince Eric’s castle: The Château de Chillon, Switzerland

Welcome to my Travel series on Famous Fairytale Photoshoots where I combine my love of travel, photography and films, get dressed in costume and take you to some real life locations that inspired well-loved books and films.

The Little Mermaid is one of the most popular Disney films and rightly so! Who hasn’t related to feisty Ariel at one point or another in their teenage years? Read on as I take you to the castle that Prince Eric’s home is based upon: the beautiful Château de Chillon in Switzerland!

I’ve noticed that when most non-Europeans visit Europe they need to rely on the internet, social media or friends for advice about where to go and what to see… However, in my case, when I lived in Europe I only needed to rely on locals be they friends, colleagues, neighbours… I was rarely out of places to see and never really had to search hard because through normal every day conversations people would suggest places to me to visit all the time.

When I first moved to Geneva I was sharing a flat with a guy whose mother worked at the Château de Chillon so he suggested I go there. If she had time she could even be my personal tour guide! Then you know how it is right? When you’re being a tourist you try to pack as many things in as possible, but when you’re a resident you’re never in a hurry to see or do anything in the local area. So that’s what it was like for me… 4 years in Geneva and I unfortunately never once made it to this beautiful chateau. In 2017 (now 6 years after I first moved to Geneva) I was no longer living in Switzerland and I realised there was a huge chance this could be my last year of living in Europe. I knew it was now or never and I had to high tail it to not only this chateau but (back) to one of my favourite parts of the world…

The year before I had started doing a series of photoshoots in real life Disney fairytale locations and I didn’t plan to stop anytime soon. I could kill two birds with one stone! I could see this beautiful château and do the Little Mermaid photoshoot too. Coordinating it was a little harder than I thought though.

I had to find a friend who lived in the region and was free to be able to help me with this shoot (which required an overnight stay since it’s over 100km away and I wanted an early start). I also realised that at the last minute I somehow lost my mermaid tail piece when I moved from Geneva to Lyon. I was on a frantic search to buy another tail piece (the large plastic fin that fits inside the fabric tail). I contacted the shop I bought it from (in Germany) but even if they sent it express there was no guarantee it would get to me in time. The nice lady suggested I contact some ‘mermaiding’ FB groups in Switzerland. What the-? What the hell is a mermaiding group? So it turns out that there are girls who actually make money by being mermaids (ie swimming with a tail/fin piece) and teaching others how to do the same. Incredible huh? Amazingly I found a girl who was willing to lend me a tail piece.. for free! How nice is that? One catch was I didn’t have a car and she didn’t live in Geneva but came to Geneva once/week to teach classes. So the one day we could meet I would actually be in Annecy… what stress! I came back to Geneva that night and we met up after she had just finished teaching a mermaiding class in a public indoor swimming pool. We had very little time and very little margin for error but hurray we made it and met up! Later, to save me the trouble of having to send it back to her (since I’d be back to Lyon) I decided to buy it off her. Phew!

The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen

This fairytale was written by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen and first published in 1837. He wrote over 3000 works and The Little Mermaid (Den lille Havfrue) became one of his most well-known. A statue created by sculptor Edward Eriksen dedicated to this story, was unveiled in Copenhagen, Denmark on on 23 August 1913.

The Little Mermaid has been adapted into various media numerous times but the most famous is the 1989 film by Disney. Strangely, I wasn’t into Disney films much when I was a child and only got into them when I was much older…

The Little Mermaid is not one of Disney‘s highest grossing animated films, but seems to be very popular among Disney princess story lovers…

Andersen‘s version of the story is darker and deeper than the light and fluffy Disney version aimed at a younger audience… His story is said to have been inspired by letters he wrote to a close male friend, Edvard Collin…

History of the Château de Chillon

Now let me take you on a journey through the lovely Château de Chillon (pronounced she-yon)…

The castle’s first constructions date back to around 1150, although it is probable that the area was a privileged military area well before this date since it is strategically located to be able to access France, Germany and Italy relatively quickly. Being located on the lake also gave it a great view of the Savoie area.

According to the Swiss ethnologist Albert Samuel Gatschet, the name Chillon comes from the Vaudois dialect meaning “flat stone, slab, platform” so Château de Chillon means “Castle on a stone slab.”

(Savoy region in the 16th Century)

The castle went through three main historical periods:

The Savoy Period (12th century – 1536)

The Savoyards wanted to extend their supremacy over the Pays de Vaud (Vaud Canton) and the surrounding areas. The House of Savoy transformed the fortress and enlarged it during the thirteenth century.

The castle had 25 buildings and served as a prison from the middle of the fourteenth century, underground stores to store equipment and wine.

The Bernese Period (1536 – 1798)

The Swiss, or more precisely, the Bernese, conquered the Pays de Vaud. The conquest was completed once the Bernese took-over the Chillon Castle on March 20, 1536. The castle, partially damaged by fire during the attack, was renovated but remained unwelcoming. The Bernese did not change the overall architecture of the fortress but converted some buildings into places of storage, reserves, kitchens and small barracks.

This Bernese occupation lasted until 1733, when the bailiff moved to the castle of Vevey for reasons of insalubrity. In 1793, the castle was converted into a hospital for war wounded. The Bernese presence gradually weakened against the will of the Pays de Vaud to gain independence.

For more than 260 years, the castle retained its role as a fortress, arsenal, and prison…

The Vaudois Period (1798 – present)

In 1798, at the time of the Vaudois Revolution, the Bernese left the castle, which became the property of the Canton of Vaud upon its foundation in 1803. The sign of the Bernese presence is still visible on the southern flank of the castle with a fresco in the colours of Bern that can be seen from the shore.

This old building was first used to stock weapons and ammunitions, and as a State prison. Thus, the first visitors to the castle would come across prisoners…

The medieval fortress attracted the Romantics. During his visit in 1816, Lord Byron, the British poet, found inspiration in the story of Chillon inmate François Bonivard to write his poem The Prisoner of Chillon, which made the castle famous. Many other writers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas were also fascinated by Chillon and the landscape over which it towers.

In 1835, the fortress was converted into a warehouse for artillery and underwent some modifications to facilitate the passage of guns. In 1866, the donjon hosted archives and the Chillon Castle served as military prison. This use was short-lived and an association was founded in 1887 to restore the building. Cantonal archeologist Albert Naef was in charge of the restoration which is still ongoing today. After being elevated to a historic monument status in 1891, excavations were undertaken. These revealed Roman remains in 1896 and helped to better understand the history of the castle.

Photoshoot in the Château de Chillon

We got up as early as we possibly could (in pitch black dawn) to get ready and then take a long bus ride to the Chateau. We aimed to arrive well before the castle’s opening time but what we didn’t count on were tourists also arriving well before the castle’s opening time. It was difficult to get good shots as we didn’t have a lot of time… but still, we tried our best and I had a lot of fun!

Photos of me taken by my friend Paul. Other photos taken by myself. All photos are retouched by me.

Real Life Ariel The Little Mermaid Castle Chateau de Chillon Montreux Switzerland

GO

The Château de Chillon is located in Veytaux, Switzerland and is approximately 100 km (62.5 miles) from Geneva, 40 km (25 miles) from Lausanne and 3 km (2 miles) from Montreux. It is in the district of Riviera-Pays-d’Enhaut, the canton (state) of Vaud.

How to get to the Château de Chillon (Veytaux)

Getting to Château de Chillon (Veytaux) by train/bus

Although there is a train station at Veytaux, the easiest way to get there is by taking a train (SBB) to Vevey or Montreux and then the 201 bus. The bus runs frequently and even in the wee hours of the morning we were able to catch one.

Getting to Château de Chillon (Veytaux) by boat

If you are travelling during normal daytime hours (ie not early in the morning or late in the evening) a CGN boat/ferry is a great way to see the gorgeous Lake Geneva shoreline.

Tip: Get up to 30% off your castle entry ticket when you purchase a “RailAway” ticket. *

Getting to Château de Chillon (Veytaux) by car/taxi

It is an easy drive and the castle has free parking.

Getting to Château de Chillon (Veytaux) by foot

If you have a bit more time, it’s a beautiful leisurely 45 minute walk from Montreux to Veytaux.

When should we visit the Château de Chillon?

My advice is pretty much the same for most of Europe… visit in the summer! (June-August) 🙂 It’s at its most beautiful, the weather is warm and sunny, it’s warm enough to swim in the lake, there are colourful flowers in bloom everywhere, you can also go to AquaParc with its spectacular lake setting… However… (I have been to most of the events below and can highly recommend them)…

Go in July if you also want to catch the Montreux Jazz Festival

Go in September if you want to see the Montreux Grand Prix

Go in September in an even-numbered year if you want to see Vevey Images, one of the world’s biggest and best outdoor photo exhibitions (and it’s free!)

Go in November-December if you want to see amazing themed vegetation sculptures on the Montreux lakeshore (free!)

Go in December if you want to see the amazing Christmas market, Montreux Nöel (highly recommended! free!) and see Santa’s hut in the Rochers-de-Naye. You also have a high chance of seeing snow during this time.

How long should we spend in the Château de Chillon?

I would say 1-2 hours should be enough for the average visitor. It’s not particularly big, even if it looks like it from the outside.

STAY

As Veytaux is a tiny town I’d recommend staying in Montreux or Vevey, or check nearby towns if you can’t find availability or they are too expensive for you. During this trip my friend and I stayed in Corseaux.

I’d recommend these hotels:

Eurotel Montreux (4.5 stars) I’ve stayed here and it was amazing!
Golf Hotel Rene Capt (4 stars)

Airbnb

Want to try it? Get 25-30 euros off your first Airbnb rental when you use my coupon code!

SEE

Château de Chillon

Address: Avenue de Chillon 21, 1820 Veytaux, Switzerland

Telephone: +41 (0)21 966 89 10

Castle Opening Hours:

The Castle is open every day of the year except 1 January and 25 December.

April to September from 9:00 to 7:00 (last entry at 6:00)

October from 9:30 to 6:00 (last entry at 5:00)

November to February from 10:00 to 5:00 (last entry at 4:00)

March from 9:30 to 6:00 (last entry at 5:00)

Admission: Adult: 12.50, Child: 6.00chf, Concessions: 10.50chf

Site: https://www.chillon.ch/en/

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Nearby sites worth visiting:

Although Montreux is a stunning town well worth visiting, there isn’t a lot to ‘do’. If you want things to ‘do’ there are more of them in Vevey.

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Swiss Camera Museum (Musée Photo)

Address: Grande Place, 1800 Vevey, Switzerland

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 11.00am – 5.30pm

Admission: Adults: 16 CHF, Concessions: 14 CHF, Children up to 18 years: 7 CHF

Site: http://www.cameramuseum.ch/en

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Alimentarium (Food Museum by Nestlé)

Address: Quai Perdonnet 25 1800 Vevey, Switzerland

Telephone: +41 (0)21 924 41 11

Hours: Winter (October to March) Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm

Summer (April to September) Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00am to 6:00pm

In May, June and September, the Museum opens at 9:00 for school groups with a guided tour reserved.

Admission: Adults: 13chf, Concesions: 11chf, Children 6-16 years: 4chf, Under 6: free

Site: https://www.alimentarium.org/en

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Games Museum (Musée Suisse du jeu)

Address: Rue du Château 11 CH-1814 La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland

Telephone: +41 (0) 21 977 23 00

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11.00am-5.30pm

Admission: Adults: 9 CHF, Concessions: 6 CHF, Children 6 up to 16 years: 3 CHF, Under 6 years: free

Site: http://museedujeu.ch/en/

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Vevey History Museum (Musée Historique de Vevey)

Address: Le Château 2, rue du Château CH-1800 Vevey, Switzerland

Telephone: +41(0)21 925 51 64

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 11.00am – 5.00pm
Also Open Monday public holidays, Closed 1 January, 24,25 and 31 December.

Admission: Adults: 5 CHF, Concessions: 4 CHF, Children up to 18 years: free

Site: http://www.museehistoriquevevey.ch/francais/accueil.html

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EAT

There’s really not much in the local area apart from the castle. You’d be better off trying one of the numerous restaurants in Montreux.

DO

You must take a CGN ferry ride! Doing so allows you to see the château from the lake side as well and the view along the coast is just stunning!

Chateau de Chillon Veytaux Montreux Switzerland - Swiss souvenirs

SHOP

The souvenir shop sells a wide variety of castle and medieval souvenirs.

PHOTO TIPS

If you go in the summer and want to get photos of the castle without crowds you’ll need to get there super early. Tour buses with middle-aged Chinese tourists started arriving 1 hour before the castle even opened! In saying that though, it was quite difficult to shoot at that time of day due to the lighting and the fact that we felt very rushed because so many tourists were arriving all the time… if you’re not fussed about crowds it’s easier to shoot when the castle has opened and when the sun is up and by then you can take a dip in the crystal clear lake too!