Saint-Saphorin combines a steep wine-growing landscape with a village where architectural history and Roman remains meet. A tasting in the village centre, a tour of the vineyards, and the location on Lake Geneva give your stay different focal points. If you are planning an overnight stay, you can decide whether wine, heritage, or hiking is most important to you.
Vineyards and location
The wine-growing village of Saint-Saphorin lies on a narrow spur of land at the foot of the Lavaux vineyards, around 30 metres above Lake Geneva. The well-preserved, particularly steep vineyard slope defines the local landscape. In Switzerland, the village is known for the wine produced in its vineyards. The village and the municipal area differ in scale: the municipal area lies on the north-east shore of the lake and has around one kilometre of lakeshore. It stretches north from the shore up the slope of Saint-Saphorin and across a narrow spur to a plateau south-west of Mont Pèlerin.
Church and Roman traces
Among the listed Lavaux sites, Saint-Saphorin is one of the villages of national interest. Distinct from this is the Eglise de Saint-Saphorin, which is classified as a historic building of national importance. The present-day church was built by Sébastien de Montfalcon in 1520. In its basement, you can visit the ruins of the Roman villa Glerula. The village’s history thus spans from Roman remains to the church built in 1520.
A festival description from August 2025 states that the Festival Offenbach takes place every three years, with the heart of the wine-growing village as its setting. If you would like to include the festival in your plans, check the dates for your travel year.
Wine tastings
The Caveau des Vignerons de St-Saphorin is located in the village centre. There, wines from the Saint-Saphorin appellation are available to taste and are presented by their producers. Around ten winegrowers take turns each weekend, offering tastings of their wines and sharing their knowledge of the terroir. As seasonal operations may change, check the latest information about what is on offer before your visit.
Group visits to the historic Caveau
The historic Caveau, with its impressive vaulted ceiling, welcomes groups of 20 or more year-round by reservation and can accommodate up to 80 people. If you are planning a group visit, it is advisable to confirm the reservation and capacity for your preferred date.
Tour and boat landing
The Maëlys en Lavaux discovery tour leads from the village of Saint-Saphorin through the vineyards to Rivaz. It takes two to three hours; the return journey is not included. Allow for it separately and check the latest route information in advance. The Rivaz–St-Saphorin boat landing is served by boats operated by the Compagnie générale de navigation on Lake Geneva (CGN). Check the timetable separately.
Discover more destinations: Bourg-En-Lavaux, Bussigny-sur-Oron, Puidoux, Rivaz Vd, Chexbres, Grandvaux Vd, Pully, Lutry
See the main travel overview: Lavaux.
