Meggen

In Meggen, old farms stand alongside glamorous villas, and tradition meets cosmopolitanism. The municipality captivates visitors with its spectacular location on Lake Lucerne, where the village nestles on the southern slope between Lucerne and Küssnacht.

Mild temperatures, lakeside location, fantastic sunsets, and idyllic views of Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus create a Mediterranean flair. The landscape around Meggen is often used as a local recreation area – the municipality is a popular destination for day trips.

Quick access throughout Switzerland
The conditions are ideal, especially for commuters who travel to the greater Zurich and Lucerne areas or come to Meggen for work. The public transport system is extremely well developed. Two bus lines connect the municipality with the city of Lucerne: the main station can be reached in around 15 minutes. Meggen has a train station in Hintermeggen and, since 2006, in the center. Lucerne and Küssnacht can be reached in around ten minutes each with the S-Bahn and the Voralpenexpress. From Meggen, you can quickly reach the A4 motorway via Küssnacht (around 6 km away) in the direction of Zug (28 km) and Zurich (48 km), as well as the A2 motorway via Lucerne city center (6 km) in the direction of Basel (100 km) and Lugano (172 km). In summer, scheduled boats operated by the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company stop at the landing stage at Fridolin-Hofer-Platz.

Revolutionary town planning
The attractive residential location and the lowest tax rate in the canton of Lucerne made the village particularly attractive to wealthy newcomers in modern times. Housing in Meggen increasingly became a luxury that only a few could afford. This was not in the interests of the municipality, which took a visionary approach: in June 2010, Meggen voters approved a total revision of the local planning regulations by a large majority.
This plan includes a revolutionary innovation that has attracted attention and recognition throughout Switzerland. Builders who construct housing in the newly zoned areas are required to offer one-third of it at moderate rents.
The municipal council also promotes affordable housing construction and is consciously counteracting the rapid rise in land prices. In addition, as laid down in its mission statement, Meggen is committed to a broad population structure – regardless of age and social status. The new local planning now ensures a mixed population and a colorful village life in the long term.

Tax revenues benefit everyone
Today, everyone in Meggen is aware that they benefit from the positive tax situation, as the municipality continuously invests in infrastructure. Between 1991 and 1994, a new center with shops and modern municipal administration offices was built between Piuskirche and Zentralschulhaus.
The road network, public transport connections – a second station, "Meggen Zentrum," was opened in 2006 – public services, and leisure facilities are all of the highest standard. This gives Meggen an additional locational advantage. However, its financial strength also benefits the canton of Lucerne: Meggen pays several million Swiss francs into the cantonal financial equalization fund each year, which directly benefits financially weaker municipalities.

Energy efficiency and nature conservation
As a holder of the "Energy City" label, Meggen promotes energy saving and renewable energies. The promotional measures are being continuously expanded. The municipality supports projects for ecological networking and enhancement of the natural landscape. This promotes biodiversity.

Moderate growth
How does Meggen see its future? In addition to maintaining its tax attractiveness and improving the quality of its infrastructure, the municipal council is striving for moderate growth. In the new building zones, construction may only take place in stages, as stipulated by the local planning regulations. Protecting the existing landscape has always been important to the municipality: in 1986, voters approved the lakeshore plan, which created a park zone. The unique lakeside landscape with its stately homes and large parks has been protected ever since.
In the 1960s, Meggen was still a rural village with around 2,700 inhabitants, but by 1985 the population had doubled to 5,411. At the end of 2014, 6,766 people lived in Meggen.
The municipality is well equipped for the future. It has paved the way for a village where there is room for everyone and where everyone feels at home. That is the real Meggen.