The best Christmas market in French-speaking Switzerland, and one of the largest in the country, is the Marché de Noël à Montreux. This traditional Christmas market spreads along the Lake Geneva lake-side quays. (Interestingly, French speakers call Lake Geneva Lac Léman. And in German, it is called der Genfersee.)

Montreux is known as the pearl of the Swiss Riviera. The setting is indeed picture perfect with snow-capped mountains rising above crystal blue waters and jazzy holiday music playing everywhere. This is the home of the famous summer Montreux Jazz Festival after all—and there’s a hip, jazzy vibe to the entire locale.