Morges Tulip Festival set on Lake Geneva
Growing up in western Pennsylvania, the winters were long and harsh. Tulips beginning to bloom were the definitive sign that winter was finally over. For a few months anyway. My mom would plant tulip along our house and I’d check them each day as I walked down the driveway to the school bus, waiting to see what color they’d bloom that year. So when I heard about the Fête de la Tulipe, or Morges Tulip Festival, which welcomes spring to the pretty Lake Geneva town each year, I just had to go.
More than 150,000 tulips of 300 different varieties from around the world bloom on the shores of Lake Geneva in Parc de l’Indépendance. Rows of tulips bloom in shades of red, pink, and violet. Others are artistically planted into shapes. Some tulip varieties were traditional, others were up-side-down tulips in flaming shades of orange.
Tulips at the Morges Tulip Festival have been blooming between mid-April and mid-May since the Lake Geneva Horticultural Society created the festival in 1971. This year’s festival edition includes a number of events like Brunch in the Tulips, a Potters Market, family days with special events and activities for kids, and the selling of the tulip bulbs at the conclusion of the festival.
Know Before You Go
- Opening day is March 28, 2015 but the blooming of the tulips is largely dependent on weather. We went mid-April and all of the tulips were in bloom. The festival runs until May 17, 2015.
- The festival is free; snacks and drinks are available for a charge in the marquee tent or take the short stroll to Morges’ Old Town to find a variety of restaurants.
- Brunch in the Tulips is on March 29, 2015 from 11am – 2:30pm and costs 38 CHF per adult and 22 CHF per child 6 – 12 years of age. Children 5 and under are free. Reservations are required and can be made by phoning Relais Services at +41 021 811 51 71.
- For the full program of events, click here. Or follow the blooming of the tulips on Facebook.
Cathy Sweeney says
Your memory of tulips in spring reminds me of my childhood in Chicago. I remember that my mom would pick tulips for us to bring to school for the teachers. Your photos of tulips in Lake Geneva are gorgeous. When I visited Geneva it was in November. Still beautiful, but I’d love to visit in spring to see the tulip festival.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It’s funny the things we remember so vividly from childhood. The festival is definitely beautiful and I never realized there were so many varieties of tulips.
Nat says
Istanbul has a tulip festival as well but I just missed it last time I went. There is something so unique about these flowers. They are simple yet beautiful. I love them
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I didn’t know Istanbul has a tulip festival! Something to look into for next spring since we really do need to get back to Turkey. And I agree; tulips are simple yet stunning flowers.
Andrea says
I love tulips! So pretty…
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Me too! Such a pretty flower and I was surprised to see all the different varieties!
Andrew says
I, like most people I expect, think of Netherlands for Tulips. Neat to see that Switzerland does them too. It is a bit out of our range for a day trip, but maybe a weekend in April.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
You should take a short break to Morges, Andy! The tulip festival is beautiful as is Lake Geneva.
Erika Blake says
Ummm I bet that smelled wonderful! I always loved spring when I lived back east and all of the tulips and daffodils that I’d planted would start sprouting up. Spring bulbs are so happy and pretty! Would love to see them in full bloom in Europe! Thanks for the pictures – they looked stunning!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks, Erika! Tulips are so simple, yet so elegant. I love seeing them. One of these days I need to get to the Netherlands to see their tulip fields!
Erika says
I bet that would be spectacular! My cousin visited there once in spring and was heartbroken to learn that living in LA, even if he put the tulip bulbs in his freezer, they’d never get cold enough to bloom as large as those he saw in the Netherlands.
My spring bulbs are about the only thing that I truly miss about living back east.
Love those big pretty pink/white striped tulips!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I’m headed to the Netherlands mid-May and I am hoping the tulips are still in bloom. They just may be since winter doesn’t seem to want to let go this year!
Erika says
Humm the good news is that there are late blooming tulips, so at the very least those might still be in bloom! I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Ali says
These are gorgeous! I’m not sure we’ll make it to Switzerland anytime soon, but Andy and I are hoping to see tulip in the Netherlands this May before TBU. I can take pictures of flowers forever, although I can’t grow them to save my life.
Annie says
150.000 flowers in one place, that must be absolutely gorgeous… I wish I’d been there to see it in person, but I opted for a late summer in Switzerland, so :-/
Thanks for sharing this with us though!