Each December, children and families may visit Father Christmas by cogwheel mountain train at Santa’s Swiss house on Rochers-de-Naye, an Alpine peak towering over Montreux and Lake Geneva (Lac Léman).
Visiting Santa’s house at the top of Rochers-de-Naye is one of the main attractions for children at the annual Marché de Noël à Montreux on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. The Christmas market on the lakeside quays in Montreux is the largest and best Weihnachtsmarkt in French-speaking Switzerland, but a cogwheel train trip up the mountain to see Santa at his Swiss home adds a magical element with snow guaranteed. Unfortunately, the train to Santa’s house is not cheap (and reservations are essential). An alternative is visiting the Village of the Elves in nearby Villeneuve, or at least seeing Santa flying with his reindeer and sleigh over the Montreux Christmas market several times every evening.
2025 Montreux Christmas market dates: 20 November to 24 December 2025
The House of Santa Claus on Rochers-de-Naye, Montreux
The House of Father Christmas (La Maison du Père Noël aux Rochers de Naye) opens each year during the Montreux Advent Christmas market festival period. Rochers-de-Naye Alpine station is at an altitude of 2032 m and offers marvelous views of Lake Geneva, the Alps, and Montreux.
During summer, Rocher de Naye is best known for its marmot park and hiking trails, but during Advent, Santa Claus is the main attraction for most children. Adults will enjoy the fantastic views year-round, with snow guaranteed in December.
Visiting Santa’s Workshop in Montreux, Switzerland
Santa’s House at Rochers-de-Naye is open during the same period as the Marché de Noël à Montreux (Christmas market). In contrast to the Weihnachtsmarkt at lake level, Santa usually takes Mondays and Tuesdays off and may have something else to do on the evening of December 24.
In addition to photos with Santa, young visitors can enjoy further Christmas-related events that change annually. Restaurant facilities are available. (Reservations via MOB Goldenpass).
On weekdays, expect to spend around 90 minutes at the summit and on busy weekends up to three hours, excluding the train ride.
Riding the Santa Claus Express from Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye
Unfortunately for families, traveling up to the summit of Rochers-de-Naye is not cheap. Furthermore, the Junior Card is not accepted, while the half-fare card gives only around CHF10 discount.
Return fares, including a visit to Santa, are for adults around CHF50, CHF20 for children (6-16), and CHF for children under 6 years. Seat reservations are essential for the outward journey, but not possible for the return ride.
The train departs generally once per hour between around 10 am and 6 pm from Montreux and two hours later from Rochers-de-Naye. Seat reservations are essential – if space allows, up to minutes before departure, but on weekends it may be necessary to book weeks in advance. Reservations are possible from mid-September.
Santa’s home at Rochers-de-Naye can only be reached by cog-wheel train. The train takes just less than an hour from Montreux. It is a magical journey with the train passing through many tunnels and crossing several bridges with wonderful views. During the journey, the mountain train climbs around 1,600 m from Lake Geneva to the top of the Alps.
Other Family-Friendly Activities at Montreux Christmas Market
Despite the cost, the train to Santa’s house on the summit of Rochers-de-Naye often books out, especially on weekends. Fortunately, there are many other family-friendly activities at the Marché du Noël in Montreux, including workshops and rides.
Santa Claus flies with his reindeer-pulled sleigh over the Montreux Christmas market every evening at 17:00, 18:00, and 19:00. (Also additionally at 16:00 on Saturday afternoons.)
The Village of Elves in nearby Villeneuve is also popular with families with smaller children, while the medieval market on weekends at the wonderful Chateau de Chillon is worth the short ride (or even pleasant walk) from Montreux.
The Marché de Noël à Montreux is by far the best and largest Christmas market in the Lake Geneva region in Western Switzerland. Other large Christmas markets in the Lac Léman region are in Lausanne and Geneva but these pale in comparison to the Marché de Noël à Montreux.