Montreux

Montreux lies on the northeastern shore of Lake Geneva, beneath slopes that became a wine-growing region from the twelfth century. In Roman times roads from Italy divided here towards Aventicum and Gaul. The name of Montreux derives from a small monastery established by the eleventh century. In 1295 the bishop of Sion sold the parish to Girard of Oron.

In 1317 the parish was divided between the lords of Oron and the counts of Savoy. A Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit administered estates and a hospital from about 1309. Bernese rule from 1536 brought Montreux within the bailiwick of Chillon and introduced the Reformation. Protestant refugees from Italy settled in the region and established workshops. Bern's rule ended in 1798 when French forces took the country.