About the garden
Owned by
Robert Bovet, Esq
Château de Vullierens' architecture, magnificent gardens and Sculpture Park form one of Switzerland’s most remarkable heritage sites with an exceptional 180° degree view of the Alps, Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva. Rising from the foundations of a 13th century fortress, Vullierens is considered the purest example of early 18th century architecture in the country. The 250-acre estate has remained in the same family for 700 years.
The flowering season starts with tulips, followed by rhododendrons, bluebells, peonies, irises, roses, daylilies and hydrangeas, and concludes with beautiful autumn colour. The iris collection started in 1955 is considered one of the most modern in Europe. It features recent award-winning American hybrids, including several rare re-flowering varieties. There's also a four-acre flowering mosaic created by 400,000 blooms. Themed gardens provide additional interest and a large tree collection includes Sequoia, oaks and possibly the oldest tulip tree in Switzerland.
The sculpture park features more than 70 large contemporary works by 20 Swiss and international artists including Beverly Pepper, Alan Jones, Gillian White, and Christian Lapie among others and is open year-round by appointment. Vullierens' 20-acre vineyard features Chasselas, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Gamaret-Garanoir and Galotta. The ancient cellars were recently opened to the public.
The gardens are open from late April to early October with two ‘high season’ periods – spring gardens (mid-May to mid-June), autumn gardens (late Sept to early Oct) and a six-week low season (June 15 to end-July), with the gardens closed in August.
