Poets’ Ramble: The Speaking Benches
I’ve seen benches dotting along the Swiss Riviera promenade between Vevey and Montreux but it never came to my mind that they are special benches. Benches that revisit and remember the history of the riviera’s once-upon-a-time artistic and wordsmith residents.
They are called ‘The Speaking Benches’ and each bench are dedicated to a famous prose writer or artist that lived here. The speaking benches stretch from Vevey (starting from the Nestle headquarters) to Montreux and all the way to Villeneuve near the French border. If you are into the art of language and inspiration, and you are in the area then this would be an interesting opportunity to locate the benches and spend a few minutes sitting on it while reading the excerpt from the ‘The Poets’ Ramble’ booklet.
Click on foto to enlarge: Left is the Ernest Hemingway bench located near the vineyards in Corseax-Vevey (on the route to Chardonne). I characterize Hemingway, the Nobel Prize winner for Literature as a blind idealist, someone who is willing to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of his stupid pride. Right is Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz, a Swiss writer.
Click on foto to enlarge: Left is the Victor Hugo bench. Hugo is a famous French novelist during the Napoleon days who wrote Les Miserables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. His bench is located near the Vevey cemetery (on the other side of the train station). Right is Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun, a French portraitist (of the elite). Her works are found in many important museums in Europe. She also published a memoir.
Too bad I only knew about the benches when I read the booklet on my way back to Geneva in the train, otherwise I would have at least searched for the Hemingway and Hugo benches. The location of the speaking benches are marked by green pictograms on the floor and plates on the benches.
Happy bench touring or hunting!
Travel Period: May 2010
Destination: Montreux and Vevey (Vaud), Switzerland
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
You can pick ‘The Poets’ Ramble’ booklet in Montreux or Vevey tourist offices. It is free of charge and the booklet has a map of the benches and other monuments.
They are called ‘The Speaking Benches’ and each bench are dedicated to a famous prose writer or artist that lived here. The speaking benches stretch from Vevey (starting from the Nestle headquarters) to Montreux and all the way to Villeneuve near the French border. If you are into the art of language and inspiration, and you are in the area then this would be an interesting opportunity to locate the benches and spend a few minutes sitting on it while reading the excerpt from the ‘The Poets’ Ramble’ booklet.
Click on foto to enlarge: Left is the Ernest Hemingway bench located near the vineyards in Corseax-Vevey (on the route to Chardonne). I characterize Hemingway, the Nobel Prize winner for Literature as a blind idealist, someone who is willing to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of his stupid pride. Right is Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz, a Swiss writer.
Click on foto to enlarge: Left is the Victor Hugo bench. Hugo is a famous French novelist during the Napoleon days who wrote Les Miserables and the Hunchback of Notre Dame. His bench is located near the Vevey cemetery (on the other side of the train station). Right is Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun, a French portraitist (of the elite). Her works are found in many important museums in Europe. She also published a memoir.
Too bad I only knew about the benches when I read the booklet on my way back to Geneva in the train, otherwise I would have at least searched for the Hemingway and Hugo benches. The location of the speaking benches are marked by green pictograms on the floor and plates on the benches.
Happy bench touring or hunting!
Travel Period: May 2010
Destination: Montreux and Vevey (Vaud), Switzerland
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
