Its exact height is 936.25m, according to the triangulation signal on the western side of the Gourze Tower. The origins of this odd 900m3 block are at the very least vague: it's said that Queen Berthe had it built in the 9th century to protect Le Lavaux from Saracen invasions. Other sources refer to the action of the Lausanne bishops in the 11th century. 

Be that as it may, there are many theories regarding the history of this Tower: burnt, demolished, renovated, enfeoffed, and sold. It was only in 1910 that the Tower finally found its peace again, when it was bought and managed ever since by the State of Vaud. A flight of stairs has been added to the Tower, and visitors can access the top with ease and enjoy the grandiose panorama of Lake Léman. It would be most enjoyable to spend a quiet, tasty moment at the small inn beside the Tower. Their hearty cuisine offers delicious fondues and world-class meringues. It is compulsory that afterwards you take a short digestive walk! 

Café-Restaurant de la Tour de Gourze, Au sommet, 1097 Riex. Ph. + 41 (0)21 781 14 74. Closed on Sunday from 9pm, and Monday.
Photo: MCG
Site dedicated to the Gourze Tower: http://www.tourdegourze.c.la

Suggested walks:

This lovely prominent inn is lost in the greenery on top of a small mountain just above Montreux, and is rather unrelated to the traditional sharecropping farms that are common at this altitude. This low ceiling chalet serves dishes that have gained local reputation: the extremely famous Ticino rabbit, the just-as-famous Peking spare ribs, the saffron baked monkfish and salt sprinkled bone. A good wine selection, a warm welcome, and a shady terrace in the summer. It is strongly recommended that you make a reservation for this excellent rather well-known restaurant. It is also a starting point for several beautiful walks with magnificent views over Lake Léman and « narcisses » trails in season.

Contact and information: Auberge de La Cergniaulaz, Mathey Family, Orgevaux 1833 Les Avants, 1283 m. Tel + 41 (21)964 42 76. Closed Monday and Tuesday and from January to Easter. Accessible by car: motorway, Montreux exit. In the direction of Glion, Les Avants.
Photo: Monique Haehl

Suggested walks:

Though it is in the middle of the high pastures, a few kilometers  from Vaulion, this big house built in 1706 is always full. People come there to enjoy the fondues, the entrecôtes hung on the bone cooked in red wine, the snails au gratin in lees sauce, the leek and ham pasta gratins. And there are also the desserts by Philippe Guignard, the owner who took over in 2002, who is also a confectioner in Orbe. A nice address you will prefer on week days if you are looking for intimacy as it tends to be crowded on weekends.

Vaulion Restaurant La Bréguettaz, 1084 m, 1325 Vaulion, Tel. + 41 (0)218 432 960/ This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . www.breguettaz.ch. Open throughout the year, closed on Sundays after 6pm + Mondays and Tuesdays. Holiday break: mid-December through beginning of February.
On foot from Vallorbe - Maison Neuves - La Bréguette, 1h30 walk. 3 rooms and 2 dormitories of 20 beds each.
Photo: MCG 

Just the once won't hurt; this buvette perched on a promontory directly facing the Alps and the Mont-Blanc, is only open during the winter season. A hipped roof, a large kitchen, which is also a dining room, surrounded by small rooms: this alpine chalet is typical of the pastoral utilization in the Jura which started during the 17th century, and the arrival of the master cheese makers from Fribourg and Bern.

A rustic and friendly atmosphere in which you can taste the fondues, vacherins from the oven, soups, delicatessen and home made pies. What a treat after a cross-country skiing or a snowshoe course! Only a quarter of an hour walking distance from the top of the Col du Mollendruz through grazing lands, it is a wonderful opportunity to see - if the snow doesn't cover them - the odd dry stone low walls built at the end of the 19th century to mark the lands.

Winter buvette - Chalet du Mollendruz. 1344 L'Abbaye Tel +41 (0)21 864 30 27 or +41 (07)8 794 73 27; Height: 1250 m.  Open from December to March, from Wednesday evening to Sunday evening and every day during Christmas Holidays and  breaks. Booking is warmly recommended.  Several options for cross-country skiing and snowshoe courses. 8 km marked out tracks for snowshoes and the Mollendruz-Marchairuz for cross country skiing.
Photo: MCG