Château de Vullierens

About the garden

Owned by

Robert Bovet

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 one of the country's purest examples of early 18th-century architecture. The 250-acre estate has remained in the same family for 700 years and it is visited by thousands of local and international garden enthusiasts and art lovers.

The flowering season starts with tulips, followed by rhododendrons, bluebells, peonies, irises, roses, daylilies, herbaceous borders and hydrangeas, and concludes with the autumn plant collection. 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. A 4-acre coloured mosaic is created by 400,000 flowers at the height of the season. Themed gardens provide additional delight, offering a varied selection of designs and vistas. The 'large trees collection' includes Sequoia, oaks and possibly the oldest tulip tree in Switzerland.

A space dedicated to families tells the story of King Lizard where dozens of trees cleverly conceal several characters. A world made of nature, to touch, see, listen and (re)feel. After your visit, take some of the elegance of the Vullierens castle gardens home with you by ordering some flowers. Sometimes from unique and often exclusive varieties in Europe, these flowers have been chosen with great care by the lord of the castle in person to constitute one of the most romantic and modern collections of the old continent.    
  
The sculpture park features more than 90 large contemporary works by 25 Swiss and international artists – Beverly Pepper, Alan Jones, Gillian White, Laura Ford, Dorothy Cross, Christian Lapie, Etienne Krahenbuhl, Manuel Torres, Pol Quadrens, Manuel Carbonnel, Mireille Fulpius, Carles Valverde, Herbert Mehler and Werner Pokorny, among others. It is open year-round by appointment. 

The historic vines extend south of the Château for over 15 acres. For a number of years, the estate has established sustainable, eco-friendly practices for its wine growing. Individuals plots are monitored to know when the grapes are ready for picking. Yield is limited. The grapes are harvested by hand and sorted in the crates to preserve their integrity. Its vineyard is replanted with Arbane, Chasselas, Chardonnay, Pinot meunier, Petit meslier, Pinot Noir, Gamaret, Garanoir and Galotta. The historic wine cellars were recently opened to the public and offer free wine tastings to visitors to the wine shop. The old cellars host public wine events and can also be rented for private events. 

A café, a shop and exhibitions are offered to visitors in the spring.

Please note: this garden is partially accessible.