Cavalcade of sweets and Yvorne, Switzerland

 

It's autumn here in Switzerland and that means vermicelles, a traditional seasonal favorite, is now available. It seems every patisserie has their own take on this sweet. Locatelli, with a half-dozen locations in the Lausanne area, makes the best.  

Here's vermicelles in the display case at Locatelli. 

So, what the heck is it?  You take sweetened chestnut puree or paste (chestnuts, sugar, milk and kirsch) and press it into thin worm-like strands. On top is a dab of whipped cream with chocolate sprinkles, the middle is filled with whipped cream along with a chocolate-dipped piece of meringue.

I cut one open. It's a definite two thumbs up!

In the summer I love strawberry tarts. It's a seasonal sweet and I cycled around the Lausanne area trying many, many patisseries to determine the best. The top four are as follows. 

Pictured above is the winner. Moutarlier's strawberry tart is the clear winner. The whipped cream is sumptuous, the strawberries ripe and juicy with a thin crisp shell. So many patisseries neglect the shell--it needs to be thin--almost crunchy.  Above the tart is a strawberry mousse--which is so-so--nothing special.

 

These strawberry tarts are from Vincent. I like the creamy custard filling under the strawberries. 

Ripe strawberries and the custard-like filling make the strawberry tarts from Christian Boillat a winner.

So many patisseries try to slip in under-ripe strawberries and that's a no-no!

This green plastic container travels with me. I'm doing my recycling part by not making the shops put the goodies in boxes and me later dumping in the trash bin.  

Messidor makes these strawberry tart goodies. That's a lemon tart in the corner which would be a winner if I did a list on best lemon tarts.

Downsides to my green plastic container: it limits my purchases to two items and there's an issue with heights as you can clearly see the lemon tart would be too high for the container.   

I'm in the Rhône valley at the base of the Swiss Alps. Lots of wine vineyards dot the hillsides. It's the beginning of November and the grapes have been picked with grape leaves as well as trees changing color.   

That's the village of Yvorne in the distance. 

Like this chateau amongst the vineyards. 

The chateau can be rented out for wine tastings, weddings, seminars etc...

The Rhone valley is flat as a pancake except for this hill rising in the middle. I heard there's a castle ruin on top. Better go check it out.

I can spot a tower at the top.

This medieval tower, built in the 13th century, is all that's left of a castle.

From the tower you can see in all directions. Notice the gorge? It's a former quarry. In medieval times they mined black marble. 

Cycling down the road something on the right catches my eye.

Wow, I love it!

Blonay Castle, Grave Robbers & Chaplin's World, Switzerland

I'm way above Lake Geneva in Blonay (population 5,200), a well-to-do suburb of Vevey. What's in Vevey? That's where Nestle, the world's largest food company has its headquarters. 

This is Blonay Castle. Built in 1175, it used to have a moat around it. Can't go inside as it's private.

Hard to take photos as trees surround Blonay Castle. 

This is the entrance to Blonay Castle. 

View of Blonay Castle from higher up.  That's Lake Geneva in the background. 

This roundabout in Blonay has an unusual display. I then realize it's a mini Blonay Castle.

View from the other side of the roundabout with mini Blonay Castle.

A few blocks further there's a mini replica of a church in Blonay. Don't know what it's made out of but it isn't cardboard as it must be able to handle the elements.

Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) spent the last 20 years of his life living in this impressive 30-acre estate in Corsier-sur-Vevey (population 3,300) a village above Lake Geneva. During his heyday silent movie actor Chaplin was the most famous person in the world.

In 2016, similar to Elvis Presley's Graceland, Chaplin's World was opened. 

Entering Chaplin's World. The red farmhouse used to be accommodations for Chaplin's employees and now houses a cafe called The Tramp.

Manor de Ban (built in 1839) was Chaplin's home.

Backside view of the house.

View toward park-like grounds. On the left is concrete building housing Hollywood-style interactive movie studio. 

Outside eating area of The Tramp cafe.

After leaving Chaplin's World I head down the hill about a mile to the village cemetery where Charlie Chapin is buried. 

Notice the hat and cane above the headstone.

To the left of Charlie is Oona Chaplin, his fourth wife.

But, there's a lot more to this. Chaplin died in 1977. In 1978 two unemployed mechanics (from Poland & Bulgaria) dug up his casket and moved it (with Chaplin's remains inside) about 20 miles away to a cornfield where they reburied him. 

Charlie Chaplin's widow Oona was contacted and the two guys attempted to extort a ransom ($600,000) for Chaplin's return. Charlie Chaplin had died a very rich man. Oona inherited $100 million ($550 million in today's dollars). 

After 78 days the authorities arrested the two mechanics. Problem was they couldn't remember where they buried Chaplin. Luckily the heavy oak casket had metal handles and using metal detectors authorities retrieved the casket.

Chaplin was reburied in the cemetery but to prevent this from happening again his casket was encased in seven feet of reinforced concrete and a huge concrete slab was placed on top. 

Colorful roundabout.

Another view of roundabout. 

Grandson Castle, Yverdon Castle, sweets & more, Switzerland (Part 2)

So, if you recall in Part 1 it looked like there might be a chateau up on a hill.  Chateau in French translates to large country house, mansion, manor house or castle.  
 

Looks like I'm right. I'm in the village of Chamblon (population 560) and come across Allee du Chateau which translates to "avenue/driveway to chateau".  

Built in the 18th century Chateau Chamblon has had a variety of owners. Entrance to chateau. Notice the ironwork. In 1925 it was bought by a hospital association. It's now a treatment & rehabilitation hospital----which is set to close at the end of this year.

Chateau Chamblon must have been pretty spectacular in its early days with extensive formal gardens.

The next hill after leaving Chateau Chamblon I come upon Champvent Castle. Better go check it out.

 

Champvert Castle was built in 1266 by Henry Grandson. Remember Grandson Castle in the previous post? Henry was a descendent of the Grandson family. It's only a dozen miles from the village of Champvert (population 300) to Grandson.  

You'll notice Champvert Castle, Yverdon Castle and Grandson Castle all have the same look. Known as Savoyard square fortresses they feature rectangular walls and four cylinder-shaped corner towers. 

Champvert Castle has had many, many owners over the years. In the 1980's it was bought by businessman Karl Leister. In 1993 Leister died and his wife lived there until her passing in 2025.  Don't know what's the status now--empty? for sale? or family member living there. 

This is the gated entrance to Champvert Castle.

Champvert Castle isn't visible from most sides thanks to lots of trees. I'm standing in a vineyard next to the property and here's the view. Way in the distance is Lake Neuchatel. 

I do find this secondary entrance to Champvert Castle and can see a large expanse of grounds.

Yep, the castle grounds could easily accommodate a helipad. 

 

Wasn't planning on cycling through Orbe (population 5,000) but was having a problem with my bike. The bike mechanic said to return in 20 minutes. 

Streets were blocked off and some kind of festival was going on as I wandered around.

Oh, oh, passed these guys----looks like there will be some serious horn blowing.

The medieval round tower (built 1233) along with a square tower are all that remains of Orbe Castle. 

View of Orbe Temple. Built in the 12th century. Now called Reformed Church of Notre-Dame.  

Wow, haven't seen one of these guys in a long time. He's real but usually see them in touristy areas. It's fun to watch little kids approach him (thinking he's a statue) and see kids freak out when he moves.

Fall season is here and several of Orbe's street are celebrating the change.