Switzerland’s beauty lies in its snowy mountains and deep valleys, serene forests, pastoral meadows, and wooden villages. And in every picturesque scene, there’s always one essential element: flowers. From early spring to late summer, various wildflowers bloom in the mountain meadows, adding an extra charm to the Alps; and wherever people live, beautiful flowers are always there as companions, especially in those quaint and lovely villages where residents seem to have green thumbs, cultivating flowers in every corner, making them vibrant and colorful, a feast for the eyes.
Most of the time, delicate wildflowers are content to play supporting roles, scattered among the grass or beside rocks, quietly awaiting the discovery of observant souls. But there’s one flower that shines exceptionally bright when it blooms, elevating itself to the protagonist of the scenery — the narcissus. Every May, as the chill fades away from the shores of Lake Geneva, a breathtaking sea of fragrant snow awaits. On the hillsides near Montreux, vast expanses of white wild narcissus bloom quietly, their delicate and graceful faces gazing upon the tranquil lake and the towering snow-capped mountains, emanating an intoxicating fragrance.
For over a century, the narcissus has become a symbol of the Montreux and Lake Geneva region, as well as a golden attraction for tourists. Since the Belle Époque era, this “May Snow” has attracted people from far and wide, much like how today people flock to the Netherlands to admire tulips or to Provence to see lavender. And the Narcissus Festival held during the blooming season has become an annual grand event: symphonies, ballets, and operas take turns to perform, majestic floats carrying the Narcissus Flower Queen clad in traditional attire parade through the towns, and lively folk markets abound…
