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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| WHS           = Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces
| image         = Lavaux Switzerland.jpg
| image_upright = 1.2
| caption       = 
| location      = [[Canton of Vaud]], [[Switzerland]]
| criteria      = {{UNESCO WHS type|(iii), (iv), (v)}}(iii), (iv), (v)
| ID            = 1243
| coordinates   = {{Coord|46|29|31|N|06|44|46|E|scale:100000|display=title, inline|format=dms}}
| year          = 2007
| area          = {{convert|898|ha|acre|abbr=on}}
| buffer_zone   = {{convert|1,408|ha|acre|abbr=on}}
| website       = {{url|www.lavaux.ch}}
| locmapin      = Switzerland
| map_caption   = 
}}

'''Lavaux''' ({{IPA|fr|lavo}}) is a region in the canton of [[Vaud]] in [[Switzerland]], in the [[Lavaux-Oron District|district of Lavaux-Oron]]. Lavaux consists of 830 [[hectare]]s of terraced vineyards that stretch for about 30&nbsp;km along the south-facing northern shores of [[Lake Geneva]].

Although there is some evidence that vines were grown in the area in Roman times, the actual vine terraces can be traced back to the 11th century, when Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries controlled the area. It benefits from 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]].

== World Heritage Site ==

Under cantonal law, the vineyards of Lavaux are protected from development. Since July 2007, Lavaux is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]s.

Since 2016, the vineyards of Lavaux are not treated with synthetic [[pesticide]]s any more.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} Pascaline Minet, [http://www.letemps.ch/sciences/2016/06/03/virage-vert-vignes-lavaux "Virage vert dans les vignes de Lavaux"], ''[[Le Temps]]'', Friday 3 June 2016 (page visited on 4 June 2016).</ref>

== Hiking trail ==

There are many hikes possible through the vineyards of Lavaux. There is a hiking trail ("Terrasses de Lavaux"), going from [[Saint-Saphorin]] to [[Lutry]], recommended by the Tourism Office of Switzerland.<ref>[http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/lavaux-vineyard-terraces-the-swiss-wine-route.html Lavaux Vineyard Terraces: The Swiss Wine Route], www.myswitzerland.com (page visited on 10 August 2013).</ref>

== Legal protection ==
[[File:Plaque commémorative Franz Weber à Puidoux (Lavaux).jpg|thumb|Commemorative plaque honouring the commitment of [[Franz Weber (activist)|Franz Weber]] for the protection of Lavaux.]]

In 1977, the voters of the [[Canton of Vaud]] accepted (55%) the cantonal [[Popular initiative (Switzerland)|popular initiative]] "Save Lavaux" Consequently, in 1979, a law was made to protect Lavaux (''Loi sur le plan de protection de Lavaux'').

In 2003, the new constitution of the [[Canton of Vaud]] came into force but did not contain the article about the protection of Lavaux. A second popular initiative "Save Lavaux" was launched to re-introduce it and was accepted in 2005 by 81% of voters.

In 2009, [[Franz Weber (activist)|Franz Weber]] launched a third initiative "Save Lavaux" to reduce the possibilities for new construction in Lavaux, which was rejected on 19 May 2014 by 68% of voters. The counter-initiative of the regional government ([[Council of State of Vaud]]) was accepted by 68% of voters (strengthening the protection but less strictly than the initiative of Franz Weber).<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.rts.ch/info/regions/vaud/5858200-l-initiative-vaudoise-sauver-lavaux-refusee-au-benefice-du-contre-projet.html "L'initiative vaudoise "Sauver Lavaux" refusée au bénéfice du contre-projet"], [[Radio télévision suisse]], 18 May 2014 (page visited on 4 June 2016).</ref>

== Influences and tributes ==

* ''Lavaux'' is the name of a song by [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], on his album ''[[20Ten]]'' (2010).<ref>The songs begin with "Take me to the vineyards of Lavaux [...]".</ref><ref>http://www.20min.ch/ro/entertainment/people/story/31041863 (page visited on 10 August 2013).</ref>
* In 2011, the [[Swiss Post]] issued three special stamps celebrating the region of Lavaux.<ref>[https://www.post.ch/en/about-us/company/media/press-releases/2011/three-special-stamps-for-the-lavaux-region Three special stamps for the Lavaux region] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823174145/https://www.post.ch/en/about-us/company/media/press-releases/2011/three-special-stamps-for-the-lavaux-region |date=23 August 2018 }}, [[Swiss Post]], press release dated 6 September 2011 (page visited on 4 June 2016).</ref><ref>[https://www.post.ch/-/media/post/ueber-uns/medienmitteilungen/2011/bilder/briefmarkenausgabe-3/ph-2011-3-lavaux-100-2560-931.jpg?la=fr&vs=1 « Lavaux », three special stamps], [[Swiss Post]] (page visited on 4 June 2016).</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Lake Geneva Lavaux.jpg|Vineyards near [[Lausanne]]
File:Lavaux Alpes et Lac léman.jpg|[[Lake Geneva]] and the [[Swiss Alps]] from Lavaux.
File:Lavaux+Léman 2.jpeg|[[Lake Geneva]] from the Lavaux, looking towards [[Lausanne]].
File:Aran Patrimoine mondial 2007 10 06.JPG|Lavaux Vineyard Terraces.
File:Geneva lake.jpg|Lavaux from the railway line going from Lausanne to Palézieux and Bern.
File:Lac Léman on sunset.jpg|Lake Geneva seen from the vineyards.
</gallery>

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Lavaux}}
{{Commons category|Lavaux Vineyard Terraces}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline|Lavaux}}
* [http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/lavaux-vineyard-terraces-the-swiss-wine-route.html Lavaux Vineyard Terraces hiking trail]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130925224335/http://lavaux-vinorama.ch/presentation_en.php Lavaux Vinorama]

{{World Heritage Sites in Switzerland}}
{{Portal bar|Switzerland|Wine}}
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[[Category:Wine regions of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Geography of the canton of Vaud]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Switzerland]]