Sometimes it takes visitors to make us see where we are really living. I noticed that when I lived in New York, and I notice it here in France too. When family or friends come to visit, suddenly you become a tourist in your own life. You look around a little differently. You take roads you normally would not take. Finally, you slow down enough to notice things that had quietly been there all along. Last month, my daughter came to visit, flying into Zurich about a four-hour drive from where I live in Annecy. Since the drive would take me through much of Switzerland, I decided to turn it into my very first solo road trip. What better excuse to explore a little more of this beautiful country? Exploring Switzerland in Spring was just what I needed.
Crossing Into Switzerland
Driving across the French-Swiss border was surprisingly easy. Since Switzerland is part of the Schengen region, you can drive straight through without border stops. One thing I quickly learned, however, is that Switzerland does things a little differently when it comes to highways. Instead of paying tolls like in France, drivers purchase a windshield sticker called a vignette, which costs 40 Swiss francs and covers the use of the motorways.
The drive itself was stunning. The scenery shifted constantly, rolling farmland, vineyards stretching across hillsides, small villages tucked into the landscape, and then suddenly modern city skylines appearing in the distance. It felt as though every hour brought a completely different version of Switzerland.
Rose-Filled Fountains – Exploring Switzerland in Spring
We stayed our first night in Zurich during Easter weekend, which turned out to be a wonderful surprise. Throughout the city, several historic fountains had been filled with thousands of rosebuds floating on the water. The tradition began in 2021 during the pandemic as a way to bring hope and beauty during difficult times. The message behind it is “Without thorns, no roses,” symbolizing the idea that beauty often grows from hardship.
Walking through the city and unexpectedly coming upon these fountains filled with roses felt almost magical. Zurich itself was elegant and expansive, with stately buildings, wide streets, and beautiful parks lining the edge of Lake Zurich. The combination of the flowers, the lake, and the soft spring weather made the city feel both grand and peaceful at the same time.
Tulips Along Lake Geneva
On our way back toward Annecy, we decided to extend the trip with a few stops along the way. One of them was the lovely town of Morges, known for its annual tulip festival, the Fête de la Tulipe.
The tulip gardens sit inside Parc de l’Indépendance along the shores of Lake Geneva, and they were breathtaking. More than 100,000 tulips filled the park in every imaginable color and variety. Everywhere you looked there were bright rows of flowers swaying in the breeze, with the lake sparkling in the background.
Adding to the atmosphere was an artisan market filled with local crafts, handmade goods, and small vendors selling beautiful pieces of artwork and gifts. The festival was free, dog-friendly, and simply a wonderful way to spend a sunny spring afternoon. If you ever happen to be nearby during tulip season, I would highly recommend stopping to see it.
Next Stop Exploring Switzerland in Spring: Neuchâtel
Our final stop before returning home was Neuchâtel — which deserves a story of its own. More on that in the next post.
Thanks for being here,
-Soraya
Curious about Switzerland in the winter? Road Tripping Through The Swiss Alps
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