Larringes Castle, Abondance and Chatel, France

My bike and I are on the ferry from Lausanne, Switzerland to Evian, France via Lake Geneva. I've cycled around Lake Geneva many times. This time I will be heading way above Evian through the French Alps to a mountain pass that'll take me back to Switzerland. 
 

The village of Larringes, population 600, sits high above Evian and is home to Larringes Castle. The castle dates back to the 10th century and was originally nothing more than a fortified home

The castle is privately-owned by the Stoutz family and the view is spectacular. That's Lake Geneva in the distance

Until 1884 there was a moat surrounding the property. 

Another view of Larringes Castle.

Don't know where the roads will take me but I do know it'll be a challenging uphill. 

This cheese shop greets visitors entering the mountain village of Abondance (population 1,500). This area is known for a special cheese; semi-hard, fragrant and using raw-milk.

If you look closely at the strange sculpture(?) to the left of the store--there's a cow sticking its head out of the gondola.  

Stream flows through Abondance.

Main drag through Abondance.

Abondance Abbey near the town center dates back to the 14th century. 

That's the ski resort of Chatel (population 1,100) in the distance.

This little lake sits above Chatel.

According to the French sign I've reach the mountain pass of Pas de Morgins. Further up behind the motorcyclist you see a blue sign announcing the same thing except it's a Swiss sign. This is the border crossing between France and Switzerland.  

I'm now in Switzerland and this is Lake Morgins. Under the road I'm traveling on they've built a series of five small tunnels. Why? To allow amphibians (frogs/toads/salamanders) to cross the road without ending up as roadkill. 

Morgins is a Swiss ski resort. About 800 residents live here year-round but swells up to 7,000 during the winter and summer seasons. 

This view looks up towards the road I just cycled down. 

Ski lift and miniature golf course in the town center of Morgins.

Nice downhill ride to the valley floor. 

Col du Chasseral, Switzerland (mountain pass, Borcarderie Castle, Valangin Castle) Part 2

This is the entrance to the medieval village of Valangin (population 600). There's a castle here but have yet to see it.

I spot Valangin Castle up past the ramparts (fortified walls).  

Closer view of castle.

You make your way up via a cobblestone path to the entrance--which is unusual as it's near the top of the castle.

Love the view. Built on a rocky ledge this defensive medieval fortress had strategic importance. 

Backside of castle. To the right you can make out a road through a narrow canyon.

In the distance there's a road heading to the left and there's one heading to the right. The fortress castle was in prime position to control who passes.

View from castle towards village.

View of Valangin Castle. See how entrance is on upper floor. 

Impressive fortifications. Was also used as a prison. 

Castle view.

Cycling into Neuchatel I pass watchmaker Panerai's factory. 

Col du Chasseral, Switzerland (mountain pass, Borcarderie Castle, Valangin Castle) Part 1

 

I'm starting the day in Biel/Bienne (population 55,000) and will be cycling up through the Jura Mountain range to Col du Chasseral (mountain pass) and then down to Neuchatel (population 33,000). 

I've cycled numerous times between Biel/Bienne and Neuchatel. It's about a 20 mile flat ride along Lake Biel/Bienne and Lake Neuchâtel. This time I'm heading up along mountains which should add a dozen or so more miles.

In this photo that's Biel/Bienne below. I keep writing Biel/Bienne why? It's a bilingual city (French/German) and its name was officially changed to Biel/Bienne in 2005. In previous blogs of the city I've posted photos of street signs. Why? Street names are in both languages which makes for very large and long signs. 

After snapping the previous photo I look to the right and spot this cat ladder stretching up along the side of an apartment building. Better take a closer look.

Wow, if I was a cat and made my way either up or down the twisty ladder---I'd be dizzy at the end. 

Cycling through the village of Orvin (population 1,000).

The entire farming village of Nods, population 700, is part of the inventory of Swiss Heritage sites.

Occupying the main intersection of Nods is the Hotel du Cheval Blanc--which translates to White Horse hotel. Hmm, I wonder if horse is on the restaurant menu. 

Here's the menu posted outside the hotel. Don't see horse meat listed. Actually it's pretty common to see horse meat on the menu. I've tried it and it's good. 

So, look behind the salmon-colored building. See the transmission tower sticking out? That's where I'm heading. The route is closed during the winter.

I'm almost to the mountain pass. Way in the distance on the left is Lake Biel/Bienne and to the right Lake Neuchâtel.

Top of the pass (Col du Chasseral). 

Coming down the backside of the pass I see about a dozen hikers making their way up. 

Cycling through the Val-de-Ruz valley I pass a tiny hamlet and spot this place. Is it a castle? 

There's no plaque or historical markers. I do some research and it's Borcarderie Castle. Back in 1583 the site included a sawmill and a mill (flour). 

In and around Geneva, Switzerland (more watch facilities, mystery business) Part 2

I'm on the outskirts of Geneva and 10 years ago when I cycled around here it was pretty barren except for some watch companies opening production/headquarters. Piaget had built this eye catching watch facility.   

Side view of Piaget facility. Lots of glass as watchmakers like natural light. 

Backside view of Piaget. 

Ten years ago this building for watchmaker Frederique Constant sat all alone. See those buildings behind it?  Now there are a half dozen similar office buildings behind it.

Ten years ago this modernistic structure for high-end watchmaker Vacheron Constantin was just built with two more buildings to the left under construction. 

Now the two mini-me buildings to the left are finished.

Trivia: Vacheron Constantin is the oldest continuously operating watch manufacturer in the world since its founding in 1755. 

Ten years ago this area was in the boondocks. Now, it's full of buildings. Five years ago a new tram line to Geneva city center was built. 

That building on the left is Harry Winston, the famous jeweler.  The company also makes watches containing lots of jewels. Harry Winston is owned by the Swatch Group. 

This building complex intrigues me. It's relatively new with no signage. Visitors can't just walk onto the property unless the gate is opened.

Being the nosy guy I am, if it was a weekday I would press the intercom near the gate and ask what they  do. I'm almost 100% sure they wouldn't tell me. 

Switzerland is home to many secretive companies.  

These two buildings are physically connected to the red building in the previous photo. What the heck goes on there as inquiring minds want to know?

This is the tall building seen in previous photo. Look at all those security cameras at the top and bottom.

Hmm, I might have to come back during a weekday. What would I do?  First, I would go to neighboring businesses and ask around if anyone knows what goes on there. 

I might hang around the sidewalk across the street from the red building and ask people passing by or exiting the building if they know what goes on in the three connected buildings.

What are my guesses?  Several blocks away there's a Lamborghini dealership and also a Ferrari dealership.  Maybe it's a car storage facility.  With lots of watch factories around it could warehouse for a precious metals company.

It could also be home for an armored truck service (like Brinks in the USA). This would be easy to confirm just by hanging out across from the entrance and watching for armored trucks entering or leaving.  

 

I'm back in Geneva's center and always like passing the city's beautiful opera house.