History

For over a century, Narcissi have been the symbol of Montreux and the areas above the Vaud Riviera. Every time the region was mentioned, their flowering in May was highlighted as a unique phenomenon. During the Belle Epoque period, when Narcissi came into flower in May, it was the attraction of the year. From 1897 to 1957, Narcissi Festival was the flagship event of Montreux. International orchestras, ballets and operas were playing. Floral parade floats sumptuously decorated were crossing the city. In 1954 this event was even the first TV retransmission on Eurovision.

On the heights of Montreux, in les Avants region, narcissus picking has been a real tourist attraction since the 19th century. People come from the four corners of Switzerland, by train and by car, to take advantage of such abundant flowering that it is called "May snow" here. In 1961, a team from the TV programme Carrefour made the trip to Les Avants and brought back these superb images.