September 24, 2023
Christmas in JulyAugust September/December
in Switzerland
Part 2
A festive cart, laden with Christmas fare, was one of the numerous
delights at the Gruyère Christmas Market
December 2022
Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.
Kris Kringle
Miracle On 34th Street (1947)
Miracle on 34th Street, a Christmas “feel good” film.
I must agree with good ol’ Kris Kringle’s assessment of Christmas, in Miracle on 34th Street;
Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.
It seems appropriate to share Kringle’s quote at this time, while introducing Part 2 of this December/Christmastime 2022 Switzerland trip . Yes, I know that it’s September,
but who couldn’t use a little Christmas cheer, no matter what the time of year, right?
(For an earlier blog post on the Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street, please go here.)
So, I share with you a little Christmas cheer, via photos, from my amazing December 2022 trip
to Switzerland.
It was magical, wonderful, and smile-filled, and my special friends,
Jenny and Geoff, were the perfect hosts!
So, why not grab a cup of tea, or coffee, get comfy in your favorite chair, and join me for a few minutes on this fun photo journey?
Chaminox-Mont-Blanc (France)
Chaminox-Mont Blanc is an area know for its skiing. In fact, Chaminox-Mont Blanc was home to the 1924 Winter Olympics, the very first Winter Olympics. It was at this olympics that the world was introduced to an eleven year-old ice skater from Norway, named Sonia Henie.
Henie would later become the darling of Hollywood, staring in thirteen films.
(One of my favorites is the light-hearted, Sun Valley Serenade from 1941.)
Eleven year-old Sonja Henie competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chaminox-Mont Blanc.
The breathtakingly beautiful Chaminox-Mont Blanc (France) was less than two hour drive from our home base in Rolle (Switzerland).
The view from through our Chaminox rental’s window was breathtaking.
Jenny and Geoff, my dear friends, and wonderful
“tour guides”, enjoy a cup of hot tea.
Jenny and I stand before the beautiful Saint Michel Church.
This Catholic church’s original structure was built in 1119, but of that structure,
only the bell tower remains.
It was a winterwonderland!
(The Casino Le Royal sits in the center of the photo.)
The Petit Train de Chamonix was a fun way to see the sights around town.
Enjoying the winter sights on our little train ride.
There were sights as we walked around the picturesque town, as well,
including the Chamonix Alpine Museum (above).
The Montenvers Railway transported us, up to the Mer de Grace (Sea of Ice),
a glacier in the French Alps.
We were treated to magnificent views as we traveled up to the top.
The Mer de Grace (glacier)
Enjoying one of many delicious meals in Chaminox-Mont Blanc, and throughout this visit.
Goodies galore!
Crossants! So good!
Beauty in the Night in Chaminox-Mont Blanc
Night time descends over the town.
Saint Michel Church seems to glow in the dusk.
Main Street is brightly lit up for Christmas.
Main Street seems magical.
This restaurant embraces its ski surroundings with its creative outdoor seating.
A majestic Christmas tree lights up the front of Le Savoy Place Hotel with the magnificent
French Alps as a backdrop.
This pretty “Christmas card” of a scene presented itself,
as we walked back to our Chaminox lodging one evening.
Nyon (Switzerland) and Yvoire (France)
Nyon’s fairytale castle keeps watch over the town’s landscape.
It is a short 20-minute ferry ride across Lake Geneva from Switzerland to France.
Good company, and great views, accompany our leisurely sail across Lake Geneva.
The French and Swiss flags are on display upon our arrival.
Yvoire is a beautiful medieval French village,
often called one of the most beautiful villages
in France.
Yvoire Castle sits on Lake Geneva, and was originally built in the 1300’s,
but was extensively renovated in the early 20th century.
The castle has been owned by the Yvoire family since the 17th century,
and is not open to the public.
This fortified gate, is one of two remaining in Yvoire.
Cute shops dot the streets of Yvoire.
The Church of Saint Pancras
The first part of this church was constructed in 1250!
Saint Pancras overlooks the town of Yvoire and Lake Geneva.
Jenny and Geoff stroll the Lake Geneva shore.
Rolle (Switzerland)
Our Home Base
Rolle Castle, built in the 1200’s, was the sight of a small, but beautiful Christmas festival.
The castle courtyard was lit up for the evening…
…as were the tables!
Kris Kringle even made an appearance!
The streets of Rolle celebrate the season, too!
Gruyères (Switzerland)
The small storybook-like town of of Gruyères is renowned for its cheese,
and also home to a wonderful annual Christmas Market.
This nativity was displayed prominently at the center of the Christmas Market.
Situated in the center of Gruyere’s short Main Street, is this building,
once owned by actor Charlie Chaplin.
A variety of goods and treats were offered for sale at the Christmas Market.
Pretzels and and an array of breads were some of the many offerings.
Chocolates of all sorts,
were available from the local chocolate shop,
Chocolaterie de Gruyères.
It was worth the steep climb up the stairs to buy their delicious confections.
(see stairs on the left, in the above photo)
Gruyères Castle
Gruyères Castle was built in the 1200’s.
It became a museum in 1938.
The entrance to the Gruyères Castle still stands guard.
Armor, of many varieties, was on display.
The view behind me, from the castle window, was beautiful.
Another castle window afforded us this spectacular view.
The perfectly manicured landscaping of the castle is blanketed in snow.
Hotel Le Saint Georges
Our lodging in Guyeres was the quaint Hotel Le Saint Georges.
The staff was so friendly, the accommodations and food were great,
and the views from our room were incredible.
The hotel even had a chef making crepes at the entrance to the hotel!
The crepes were delicious!
The cheese board that was our appetizer one evening, at the hotel restaurant.
(We ate a lot of wonderful cheese on this trip!)
One of the decorative Christmas touches throughout the hotel.
Twilight Brings Out the Lights of the Christmas Market
Jenny and I happily take in all of the evening’s Christmas cheer,
There were lovely Christmas displays everywhere.
As darkness falls, the street takes on a magical Christmas glow.
Gruyères as the Christmas Market winds down for the evening.
Sunday Morning
St. Theodul Church, a Catholic Church, beckons worshipers by ringing its bell.
St. Theodul was built in the 13th century, having been destroyed by fire twice.
Jenny and Geoff walk the cobblestone streets toward the church.
We were treated to the melodious sounds of a men’s choir in St. Theodul’s historic sanctuary.
Gruyères was simply beautiful!
Thank you for allowing me to share my Switzerland Christmastime photos with you!
To see Part 1 of this trip to Switzerland, please go here.
Thank you for reading I’m Annette.
May your days be blessed, and your taste buds happy!
I’m Annette Stuff
The Next Blog Post!
I typically post on a monthly basis.
Get I’m Annette Delivered Straight to Your Inbox!
Be an I’m Annettefollower! It’s easy!!! It’s fun!!! It’s absolutely free!!!!
Receive my blog via email, Free, immediately upon each posting.
Sign up now, on the right-hand side of this page, or click here.
A Special Note about Photos in I’m Annette Followers!
If you are receiving this blog via email, and if some of the photos do not come through clearly,
please click on imannette.net, or click here, to refresh the post.
Please, Leave a Kind Comment!
Thank you blog readers! I really, really enjoy hearing your kind comments!
Please note that all comments submitted can be seen by the public.
Check Out Past Blog Posts!
To enjoy any, or all, of my past blog posts and photos, click here, or go to imannette.net,
selecting the posts that you desire to see in the Recent Posts, or you can “search” a topic in the Archives section, in the upper right-hand side.
I have been blogging since 2013, so there are plenty of posts to choose from!
A solitary candle burns brightly at the Christmas Market
in Gruyères (Switzerland)
I'm Annette! 
This was my favorite blog. Love all the pictures and content!
Sent from my iPhone
LikeLike
Thank you so much, and thank you for reading my blog.
LikeLike
Pingback: Nostalgia Com | I'm Annette!