A wine-tasting weekend in the Chablais: where to stay, what to visit, what to taste?

Arrive by train (Aigle is well served from Lausanne, Geneva and Sion), digital check-in in your accommodation from 4pm. In the evening, explore the restaurants and wine bars in Aigle's town centre. Several serve local wines by the glass alongside regional charcuterie and cheese boards — a first taste of the terroir before the main day ahead.

In the morning, head up to Aigle Castle. Built in the 13th century on a mound overlooking the Rhône plain, it houses the Vine and Wine Museum. Allow 1h30 to 2 hours for the visit, which traces the viticultural history of the Chablais from antiquity, with a fine collection of historic tools, wine presses and documents on local grape varieties. In the afternoon, head out on foot or by bike along the Chablais Wine Trail. This marked route crosses the communes of Aigle, Yvorne and Ollon, three appellations of origin that follow one another along the hillsides. Cellars and estates along the route often welcome visitors for direct tastings. Badoux Vins, founded in 1908, and the Cave de la Commune d'Aigle are unmissable stops.

Yvorne is one of the most talked-about wine villages in French-speaking Switzerland — its Chasselas is dry, fruity and remarkably mineral. The Commune d'Yvorne estate and several independent winemakers open their cellars at weekends. Ollon, slightly higher in altitude, produces well-structured Pinot Noir and Gamay. Before leaving, stop by Aigle's market (Saturday mornings in particular) to take home local produce: Chablais cheeses, charcuterie, honey and of course a few carefully wrapped bottles in your bag.