Here are a few things that have caught my eye around Lake Geneva in September 2026, when the lake begins to turn from summer towards autumn. The fairs and festivals still have plenty of energy, but the grapes are being gathered, the mountain air is changing and the first autumn colour is appearing in the valleys.
September at a glance
- 29 August-early September: Foire de Crête funfair, Thonon
- 3 September: Main Foire de Crête market and cattle competition
- 2-6 September: Freddie Days, Montreux
- 19-20 September: European Heritage Days and Château de Ripaille
- 19 September: Free activities at the Maison du Fromage Abondance
- 25-27 September: Fête des Vendages de Lutry
On my radar… The Foire de Crête in Thonon
One of the most popular September events in the Chablais is the Foire de la Crete in Thonon. Established in 1514 it’s been held for more than five centuries. This year is the 548th great annual gathering.
These days the Foire is probably more about fun than farming.
Although the main event isn’t until Thursday, 3 September, the funfair opens on 29 August and continues throughout the week. On the Thursday, there’s also a huge street market selling local produce. Also a vast array of food stalls and the highlight of the day — a dairy cattle competition.
The Foire has changed quite a bit since 1514, but its farming roots remain.
Traditionally, families came down from the valleys before winter set in to sell their summer produce, buy whatever they needed for the colder months and catch up with friends.
It still attracts people from all over the Chablais, so why not join them and enjoy some good old Savoyard entertainment.
Around the lake … Freddie Days 2026 in Montreux
For me, the real highlight of September around the lake has to be Freddie Days, held this year from 2 – 6 September in Montreux.
It’s an extravaganza of free concerts and entertainment, conferences and workshops. There’s a Silent Disco on the quayside — if you’ve never done one you should, they’re fantastic fun — you can sing your heart out to all your favourite Queen and Freddie songs.
There are boat trips accompanied by Freddie’s personal assistant for 10 years, Peter Freestone (which sadly are sold out for this year but put it in your diary for next year and get your tickets early.)
There are parades and parties all over town, so it’ll be hard not to be swept up in the atmosphere.
This year’s event coincides with Freddie’s 80th birthday — unbelievable I know, and with the 30th anniversary of the unveiling of his famous statue on the quayside.
Follow Freddie Mercury’s footsteps through Montreux
If you can’t make the festival, then check out Lucien Muller’s Freddie Tours, which run throughout the year in Montreux.
There’s a choice between a one-hour tour and an extended tour lasting around two and a half hours. I did the shorter one this year — all that was available on the day — and it was brilliant.
Lucien’s late father founded Montreux’s annual Freddie celebrations, and Lucien has worked closely for over 20 years with Peter Freestone, Freddie Mercury’s former personal assistant.
Lucien doesn’t just give you the much-repeated information about Queen; he tells you little-known anecdotes and shows you places the guidebooks don’t mention.
He even provides a Sharpie so you can sign the Freddie Mercury tribute wall beside the tucked-away original entrance to Mountain Studios.
European Heritage Days at Château de Ripaille
A little later in the month the French European Heritage Days take place.
Across the Pays d’Evian-Vallée d’Abondance on the 19 and 20 September there’ll be guided visits, exhibitions and access to buildings or places not normally open to the public.
The highlight for me in Evian this year is a visit to the Palais Lumière, the former home of the Lumière Brothers who pioneered photography in the 19th century. Nowadays this building houses the Town Hall or Mairie in its spectacular interiors.
My pick this year however is an unusual, guided tour of the Chateau de Ripaille.
For one weekend only, a costumed guide will take visitors beyond the chateau’s normal visitor route and into its second floor and attics — with a few surprises promised along the way.
For me, the attics and maybe the kitchens are always the best places to poke around in a grand house 🙂
Ripaille was built in 1434 for Amadeus VIII, the first Duke of Savoy. It was transformed during the Belle Epoque, when its medieval architecture was combined with warm, cosy unexpected Art Nouveau interiors.
The 45-minute tours cost €5 and places are limited, so advance booking is strongly recommended.
You can also explore the chateau independently for free on these days. If you haven’t been yet you won’t be disappointed. Even from the outside the chateau is impressive. Its golden tiled roof can be seen for miles and the private vineyards that surround it produce a very drinkable wine.
This year there’s also Flash-back! An exhibition celebrating 200 years of photography.
Autumn on the road… The Vallée d’Abondance
But let’s get out into the countryside.
It would be hard to beat the Haute-Savoie for scenery at any time of year, but in autumn it truly comes into its own.
Look up from the shores of Lake Geneva and the hillsides are ablaze with swathes of gold and russet forest. Clear blue skies often accompany the cooler, crisper mountain air of autumn, making it a true feast for the senses. For me, it easily rivals the autumn colour of New England.
For a perfect day trip, take the car and follow the River Dranse from Thonon towards Abondance. It’s part of the old Route des Grands Alps.
The narrow road twists and winds its way up the valley beneath overhanging trees, with the Dranse appearing through gaps in the leaves and tumbling over the rocks beside you.
Wait until later in September and the colours should be spectacular.
You could combine the drive with a visit to the Maison du Fromage Abondance. On 19 September, there’ll be free visits and activities for the European Heritage Days — and probably plenty of delicious, nutty Abondance cheese to sample too.
Life around the lake … The Lavaux grape harvest
You can’t talk about cheese without mentioning wine.
On the northern side of Lake Geneva are the world-famous UNESCO vineyards of Lavaux.
In September the grape harvest is in full swing. The vineyards and the little medieval villages dotted amongst them are a hive of industry.
The steep slopes are full of workers filling baskets with heavy, sun-ripened bunches of grapes. The boxes and baskets are transported by small monorails down the terraces and loaded onto vintage Piaggio trucks.
The trucks bobble past you in a continuous stream, heading to the cellars that sit behind old wooden doors in every village in Lavaux.
Walk along the narrow lanes, where the heat radiates from terrace walls, and poke your head around the cellar doors for a glimpse of the grapes being pressed. You might even be lucky enough to be offered a taste of a recent vintage too.
From 25-27 September 2026, the Fête des Vendanges de Lutry brings the harvest celebrations into the heart of the village, with concerts, stalls and temporary wine cellars. The grand finale comes on Sunday afternoon, when around 900 local schoolchildren parade through the old streets and along the quays in costume.
You can read more about exploring the villages and vineyards in my guide to Lavaux.
Fresh from the Balcony… A Closer look at Yvoire
This month, we’re taking a closer look at Yvoire — not only its castle and flower-filled streets, but the centuries of history hidden in its old stones, doorways and curious carved details.
Read Yvoire: Look closer at Lake Geneva’s Medieval Village
Looking ahead … October at Lake Geneva
October brings the apple harvest to Saint-Paul-en-Chablais. More about that in next month’s Postcard.
So, there we have it — September around Lake Geneva: fairground lights in Thonon, Queen songs ringing out across Montreux, secret doors opening at Ripaille, forest roads turning gold and the grape harvest in full swing across Lavaux.
