Cully Vd: Lavaux, culture and Lake Geneva

Cully Vd lies on the northern shore of Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud and within the landscape of Lavaux. The town is part of the Lavaux-Oron area and is one of the eleven places in Lavaux designated as being of national importance. The lakeside, vineyard terraces, historic town centre and seasonal cultural events offer different ways to experience Cully.

Between the lakeside and the vineyard terraces

The Lavaux terraces shape the landscape around Cully. Walls support and define the vineyard plots, stabilise the slope, slow water runoff and create cultivable land. The former municipality of Cully extended from Lake Geneva across the steep slopes of Lavaux to a high plateau and, at Mont de Gourze, to an elevation of 925 metres. Around two kilometres north of the lakeshore, a watershed in the Cully area separates the Rhine and Rhône drainage basins. These details show that the landscape is more than a lakeside backdrop: the slopes, high plateau and watershed are also part of its geographical setting.

Getting there and seasonal offerings

Cully is served by a station on the Simplon line. A landing stage is regularly served by CGN boats during the season. If you plan to arrive by train or boat, check the current timetables; boat services are seasonal. This lets you plan your journey according to the actual timetable for your visit.

Every Sunday in summer, Cully’s lakeside hosts a large Sunday market. Each week, a different winemaker presents their wines; prepared food, crafts and local products are also on offer. The Caveau de Cully is a wine bar that opens seasonally and offers wine tastings. From May to October, it is open Thursday to Sunday, from 5 to 9 pm. Seasonal opening details may change, so check them before your visit.

History and protected buildings

Several protected buildings reflect different periods in the area’s history. The Reformed Church, formerly Saint-Étienne, has stained-glass windows and a bell tower dating from the 15th century. The basin of the Fontaine de la Justice dates from 1643 and is also protected. The Chapelle de l'ancien hôpital is protected as well and has stained-glass windows; it is also associated with the protected 16th-century fresco “The Judgement of Solomon”. The protected Davel monument, dating from 1841, stands on Place d'Armes. Le CINQ, a venue for temporary exhibitions, is also located in the central village square.

The town’s history goes back further than these buildings: traces of human activity date back to the Neolithic, while walls and coins have been preserved from the Roman period. Cully was first mentioned in writing in 967 under the name Cusliacum. These different periods can be distinguished when exploring the town: from its earliest traces and first recorded name to its surviving protected buildings.

Festivals and guided explorations

The Cully Jazz Festival is an eight-day music festival held in spring, with jazz at its heart in the historic town centre. In intimate caveaux and on large stages, the festival brings together jazz, R'n'B, soul and traditional world music. It was founded in 1983. Lavaux Classic, founded in 2004, is a classical music festival that also takes place in Cully. In Cully, the 2027 festival is scheduled to run from 17 to 27 June. The programmes of both festivals vary with each edition. In terms of planning, the Cully Jazz Festival takes place in spring, while Lavaux Classic has specific dates in 2027.

Lavaux Relax is a public guided tour of the town centre. It follows the lanes of Cully between the lake and the vineyards and avoids steep slopes and rough paths. The tour is suitable for families with pushchairs and people with reduced mobility. Check the seasonal tour dates before your trip; it is also advisable to reconfirm the accessibility information before booking.

Discover more destinations: Bourg-En-Lavaux, Lutry, Bussigny-sur-Oron, Grandvaux Vd, Rivaz Vd, Chexbres, Puidoux, Pully.

For the wider travel overview: Lavaux.