Introduction to Morges

11km (7 miles) W of Lausanne; 26km (16 miles) E of Geneva

Set against a backdrop of the Savoy Alps, the small town of Morges on Lac Léman is headquarters for the region's vineyards. Its port was built on an ancient site inhabited by prehistoric lake dwellers. Because of its elegant lakeside setting, and because of its stellar hotels and restaurants, Morges became one of the premier stopovers along Lake Geneva. Today the town is a favorite stop for a chic set of international yachters. In June of 2007, UNESCO designated most of the vineyards within this region of the Vaud as a site of major importance to the world patrimony -- the first area in French-speaking Switzerland to receive this distinction. Under protection is the Lavaux region, including vineyards that are spread over 14 villages on steep hillsides east of Lausanne. The vineyards, laced with rock walls and pathways, slope down to Lake Geneva's waterfront. With a landscape shaped by generations of winegrowers for more than 8 centuries, the area produces eight different wines protected with an AOC label (appellation d'origine contrôlée).