Lavaux

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Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces*
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Village and vineyards of Rivaz
State Party Flag of Switzerland Switzerland
Type Cultural
Criteria iii, iv, v
Reference 1243
Region Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription 2007  (31st Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
Region as classified by UNESCO.
Lake Geneva and the Chablais region from Lavaux
Lake Geneva and the Chablais region from Lavaux
Lake Geneva from the Lavaux, looking towards Lausanne
Lake Geneva from the Lavaux, looking towards Lausanne

The Lavaux is a region is the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, mostly in the district of Lavaux. It was built mostly by monks about 800 years ago and consists of 830 hectares of terraced wineyards. It benefits of a temperate climate, but the southern aspect of the terraces with the reflection of the sun in the lake and the stone walls gives a mediterranean character to the region. The main wine grape variety grown here is the Chasselas.

Under cantonal law, the vineyards of the Lavaux are protected from development. Since July 2007, the Lavaux is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.