Switzerland is teeming with nature’s treasures. I am particularly fascinated by meadows full of wild narcissus and jonquils. I set out to find the three most beautiful places in Switzerland for you.

Text and pictures by Marc Gottwald

Yes, you heard right. There are wild daffodil fields in Switzerland! They radiate with their infinite beauty and are a true place of power. Unfortunately, these natural beauties are severely threatened by humans. Therefore it is important: never pick a wild narcissus and do not enter the fields. This way we can still show this cultural asset to our descendants. Moreover, they are protected depending on the canton.

Difference between narcissus and jonquils

In the following, I would like to present my three favourite places where you can find these beautiful flowers. But first I would like to clarify the botanical difference between narcissus and jonquils.

There are many types of narcissus. What a lot of people do not know: The jonquil is also a narcissus, simply a subspecies. The yellow flower grows about 40 centimetres and blooms before our white daffodil. Narcissus are highly poisonous and partly protected by cantonal law. Anyone picking narcissus in Graubünden, for example, is liable to prosecution.

Man-made problem: Highly endangered beauties

Unfortunately, the wild narcissus & jonquils are highly endangered. On the one hand, they are being displaced by housing developments, because in Switzerland 1m2 of land is built every second! Especially in Montreux, where building is taking place on slopes, this is one of the reasons. In this region, daffodil fields have decreased by 83% since 1960!

A second considerable reason is the intensification of agriculture. For example, in the 1950s cows were not brought up to 1000 metres altitude until June; today this is already the case in April directly after the snow melts. But since some of the narcissus do not flower until May and June, the daffodil population is even more strained.

How can you help? It’s very simple! Don’t pick the narcissus and jonquils and don’t enter the fields. Today, many fields have already been hoed so that visitors don’t destroy them.

1). Narcissus Trail in Seewis (Canton Graubünden)

The Narcissus Trail in Seewis is an unknown gem and one of my favourites. You can park in Seewis, where a 3-5-hour hike awaits you (depending on the path you take). My tip is to start the hike at the end of May. This way you not only have a wonderful view over the narcissus fields, but also find other flowers in the lean meadows.

The daisy fields in particular stand out. But here, as well, appearances are deceptive. A local said that in the past the whole slopes down to Seewis (947m.a.s.l.) were full of narcissus. Today they are mainly found between 1300 and 1800 metres.

If you want to stop at a restaurant, I particularly recommend the Maiensäss Valcaus. Here you will find traditional dishes such as a Schüblig, but also delicious cakes. The panoramic view into the Prättigau is indescribable. As there are many paths, I recommend that you first find out which route you want to take.

Anyone who wants can buy a driving permit for 10 francs and thus drive closer to the fields. The permit can be bought in the village shop (called Bazaar). Alternatively, you can buy the permit at the mountain restaurant „Hofbeizli Runggalina“.

2). Daffodil fields of Les Prés-d’Orvin (Canton Bern) (Jonquils)

Les Prés-d’Orvin is probably one of the most magical places in Switzerland in spring. Until recently, this gem was very unknown. Now, thanks to articles in the media, many people flock there. But fortunately, only a few know that the narcissus are not only in the village.

If you plan a hike towards the Chasseral, you will be accompanied by kilometres of jonquil fields! This is unique in Switzerland and you won’t find it anywhere else. Besides narcissus, you will also find white and purple crocuses sprouting from the ground after the last snow. It is especially recommended to do the hike between the end of March and April. Of course, this can vary a little depending on the weather.

3). Narcissus dream above Montreux (Vaud)

Montreux has been known for its narcissus for decades. They also call the white fields the May Snow. Yes, even huge daffodil festivals used to take place. The daffodil fields also reached far down towards Montreux. But here it is the villas with their gardens, but also agriculture, which has reduced the number of narcissus by 83% since the 1960s.

That’s why there are no longer entire meadows, moreover only isolated. A great tip is the daffodil fields near Caux. It is probably the most beautiful meadow you can find above Montreux. The May snow in combination with the view over Lake Geneva is simply spectacular. In addition, the place is easily accessible by train. Les Avants is also accessible by public transport. But its fields are so fragmented that I definitely recommend Caux.

No matter which place you choose to visit, they are all a dream! Note that the approximate flowering time for the yellow jonquils is usually mid-March to April and for the white narcissus mid-May to June. However, the weather and the altitude can affect flowering times. So it is likely that if the winter is long, the flowers will bloom later.