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When UNESCO classified the Lavaux region, between Lausanne and Vevey, as  part of the world's patrimony in 2007, it based its decision on the region's value as a "cultural landscape," rather than considering the region as a "natural site."  What makes Lavaux exceptional, UNESCO concluded, is not only its natural beauty, but the human activity that has shaped it.

"The Lavaux is an exceptional site," explains Philippe Robert,  founder of Architrek, an association that is equally enthusiastic about hiking and the architecture of landscapes.  "For more than a thousand years,  man has sculpted the steep, rocky slopes on this tract of land next to Lake Geneva, in order to extract precious wine."   On Pentacost  Weekend Robert and Architrek, organized a three day excursion through this exquisitely "constructed countryside. "

The underlying structure of Lavaux' landscape has not changed since the Cistercian monks installed themselves there in the Middle Ages.  The only sign that we are at the center of a dynamic economic region in the center of the Canton of Vaud is the autoroute, which links Swiss Romande to the rest of the country.  The preservation of Lavaux is due to the pride of its inhabitants who have passed the art of cultivating wine on the land bordering Lake Geneva for generation after generation.

"What makes Lavaux special is its 'three suns,'" says Robert.  The sun is the primary source of heat and light. The stone walls, which mark the limits of each patch of land, store the heat accumulated during the day and continue to give it off during the night.  Finally, the Lake reflects the sun's rays throughout the year.

Architrek included a fourth “sun” in its itinerary. The Mont Pelerin hillside above the vineyards, which blocks the winds from the north, contributes to retaining the sun's warmth.

After a first day trekking across the fields, with the effort compensated by the discovery that the vineyards were offering an open house wine tasting to the public, the second day was dedicated to the ascension of Mont Pelerin and observing the entire site from its highest point.  The expedition ended on the third day with a survey of the architecture of Vevey, notably the house built by Le Corbusier in Corseaux and the headquarters of Nestlé, with its "Y" shape, which has inspired numerous architects.

The visit was just one in a series of events organized by Philippe Robert, an architect, hiker and epicurean, who likes to share his passion for trekking, contemplation and the art of fine living.  “I have a horror of tourists who keep an open guidebook and need to verify everything that is written in it,” Robert says.  He proposes itineraries that are adaptable to the suggestions of participants and which are intended to stray from the beaten path and to be guided by unexpected encounters. There is no rush on Robert’s tours.  You have the time for contemplation, to sketch the landscape, record sounds, to share emotions and ideas.  The interaction in the group is often as interesting as what Robert has to say.  The fellow trekkers range from engineers to artists to anyone who is interested in the beauty of nature.  Robert offers his services for free.   Everyone pays for meals, hotel accommodations and logistics directly to the service provider.

The next Architrek trip will look at industrial reconversion in the Ruhr. The trek will explore Emscher Park, a formerly run down industrial area that has been rehabilitated into a green park with museums, residential areas and office centers. It will take place on June 10-13.

Whisky amateurs might want to join the trek “On the whisky road” in Scotland in early September. The trip will focus on contemporary architectural projects in Edinburgh and then take a trek to various whisky distilleries in the countryside.

Another original hike in Japan in October will combine a visit to old trails around Kyoto with a look at contemporary artists work on Naoshima island. It will also visit the projects of famous architect Tadao Ando.

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•To find out more about Philippe Robert and Architrek, go to http://www.architrek.org

• If you want to explore the slopes of Lavaux, and the Canton of Vaud, we advise reading :

"Le Chemin de Jean Jacques Rousseau," by Pierre Corajoud, published by the author and available on the Internet at: http://www.balade.wordpress.com

• for more information on Lavaux, visit the site at http://: www.lavaux.ch

• to learn more about Le Corbusier's house at Corseaux, visit http://villalelac.ch

• to see Nestlé's Y-shaped headquarters, go to http://www.jjkphoto.ch/nestle.htm

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