Chexbres.

Chexbres sits on a natural balcony above Lake Geneva, right at the top edge of the Lavaux vineyard terraces, a wine region recognised by UNESCO. The village looks across the water to the French Alps, with vines dropping steeply from its edge down toward the shore. The centre keeps a settled, village feel, built around a small square and church, with stone walls lining the lanes that lead out toward the slopes. Several small cellars in and around Chexbres open for tastings of the crisp, mineral wines the region is known for. Paths drop from the village through the terraces toward St-Saphorin, running between low stone walls and vine plots worked for generations. Light over the lake changes through the day, and the vineyards below take on a golden colour in late afternoon. Even in the busiest months, Chexbres holds its own pace, with wine cellars and open views standing in for any single landmark.