Things to see and do Romandy

The narrow entrance to the museum leads to a 500 m² space where the entire history of photography is retraced, from the magic lanterns to the digital age. The collection of cameras is impressive and the explanations are detailed, especially concerning a whole series of amazing inventions such as the photographic cane, in 1902, which made it possible to take pictures discreetly! A special course has been planned for the younger ones.

It's a paradise for children, who choose their own miniature locomotives to take their parents for a ride! Scale models of over fifteen steam, petrol and electric locomotives take you on a tour of the park, where typical local and international architecture has been precisely reproduced. Originally designed for the private maintenance and running of these little model railways, the park is now open to all, to the delight of young and old alike. The park is very welcoming and well-maintained.

Discovering a city thanks to the knowledge and passion of a local guide is undoubtedly the best experience of all. A number of themes are on offer, including the unmissable tour of the old town, Place de la Palud, the cathedral, Saint-François church, Ouchy, "Les chocolatiers lausannois", "Lausanne anecdotique", "Quand les murs se colorent", the history of bridges, "Trois collines, deux cours d'eau" and many other excellent ideas. These tours, led by the host guides of the Mouvement des aînés du canton de Vaud, only take place in summer.

The Crans-Montana tourist office is committed to providing you with all the quality information on tourist activities to meet your needs for stays, excursions, visits, etc. You will be guided and helped in your search for accommodation, restaurants, leisure activities and culture. The promotion of local products and know-how is part of its mission. We welcome enthusiasts so that your stay or its preparation is simplified. The website allows you to make direct reservations.

This remarkable building in the Radiant Gothic style was built from the 13th century onwards and completed in 1490. The late Gothic tower is 74 m high and contains thirteen bells, among the oldest in Switzerland. The main portal is adorned with beautiful sculptures (copies of the 15th-century originals) and a 17th-century wooden statue of St Nicholas of Myra. The Sunday Gate was originally the main portal. Statues framed by arches overhang an oak door in the Louis XVI style with a Virgin and Child in the centre, a statue of St Nicholas and the three young girls he saved on the left, and the Three Wise Men on the right. Inside, the choir, which is higher than the nave, and the old sacristy, which dates from the 17th century, can be seen. Above the 15th century stalls, beautiful frames by Jean-François Reyff surround two paintings by Nicolas de Hoey, painter to the court of Henri IV. The high altar, from the 19th century, is in the neo-Gothic style. The side chapels are illuminated by double lancet windows and open towards the nave through semi-circular arches. In the chapel of the Holy Sepulchre, the group of figures that make up the Entombment is the most important group of monumental sculpture of the late Middle Ages and the most important medieval funerary group in Switzerland. Beautiful stained glass windows by Manessier. The top of the tower, accessible in summer, offers a beautiful view of the city. It is also a place of pilgrimage linked to Santiago de Compostela.

The Geneva Tourist Office reveals all the tips for visiting the city. A quality welcome is a must! In addition to the traditional tourist information, many products are offered to optimize your stay according to your desires: thematic guided tours, activities, excursions and especially the Geneva City Pass. This pass is a sesame to be obtained without delay to benefit from more than fifty free experiences and at preferential prices.

Behind the scenes of chocolate. The Favarger factory opens its doors and reveals some of its secrets. Let yourself be guided and discover the beautiful adventure of the Favarger family. No staging here! We show you the real process of artisanal manufacturing. Dressed in your charlotte and protective clothing, you will discover each step of production: from the selection of raw materials, the roasting of the beans and the creation of the chocolate.

This former episcopal residence, converted into a museum, houses the archaeological finds of the Petit-Chasseur site. It is made up of two large historical sections dating from 50,000 BC to 2150! You can follow in the footsteps of the history of the Valais. We discover ceramic remains from the Roman period, and coins. An entire room is devoted to the magnificent wooden chests dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, known to be one of the most beautiful sets in Europe.

Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, the building harmoniously combines Romanesque and Gothic styles. See the altar and the statue of the Virgin from the 14th century. On the walls and the vault of the apse, all the paintings were made in the 15th century, especially the second register with the representation of twelve prophets. In the choir, there is a painting of the Adoration of the Magi and sculpted stalls that hide a 15th century fresco representing the Annunciation.

In the Plateforme 10 arts district, a new showcase has been designed to house unique collections of over 1.2 million phototypes. Exhibitions by renowned photographers such as Robert Doisneau and Irving Penn, as well as those by young talents, will be on show throughout the year in the permanent collection and in temporary exhibitions. Various meetings and conferences are organized throughout the year. The New Generation Museum shares its museum space with the MUDAC Design Museum.

Here's an excellent way to discover the shores of Geneva and the region from a completely different angle. Founded in 1873, CGN has a fleet of 19 boats, including 8 Belle Epoque vessels. Departing from the quays of Mont-Blanc and Jardin Anglais, as well as Pâquis and Eaux-Vives, you can cruise along the beautiful shores of the Geneva harbor, or head for other cities (Nyon, Yvoire, Evian, Lausanne). It also offers a wide range of hourly, day, evening and gourmet cruises, with numerous escapades to Swiss and French shores.

Sail on Lake Geneva, its waters changing according to the season or the light, between the Alps and the Jura mountains, to discover the Swiss shores from another perspective. It's a unique experience. In addition to its regular shipping services, CGN also offers a wide range of cruises, the jewel in the crown of which is its fleet of superb Belle Époque cruise ships, commissioned between 1904 and 1927. These steam- or diesel-powered boats with side-mounted paddlewheels look great. Come aboard the flagship of this historic fleet, aptly named La Suisse, or one of its luxurious companions: Savoie, Italie, Montreux (the oldest!), Rhône, Vevey, Helvétie or Simplon. Dinners, fondues, lunches and sightseeing tours are a must! A unique heritage preserved by CGN.

It is an unusual building, to say the least, with an original architecture, erected to the glory of the Duke of Brunswick (1804-1873) on the Quai du Mont-Blanc. Charles d'Este-Guelph, Duke of Brunswick, was a singular character. A distinguished linguist, a skilled horseman and a knowledgeable musician, he amassed an immense fortune through excellent investments. Having spent the last three years of his life in Geneva, he instituted the city as his universal legatee on one condition: that it erect a mausoleum for him "in a prominent and dignified position".

The MCBA, formerly housed in the Palais Rumine, is a key element of Plateforme 10, alongside the mudac and Photo Élysées. The building, adorned with bricks evoking the site's industrial past, boasts forward-looking architecture. Inside, the large glass roof and spacious rooms set the tone: space is given over to light and new perspectives. On the second floor, a large bay window opens onto the lake.

"See here what you can't see anywhere else! The MCBA's collection is very rich and constantly rethinking itself. It brings together a large number of works from the Renaissance to the present day. Over the centuries, these works have been inspired by various currents (classicism, orientalism, impressionism, expressionism, informal art, etc.) and reflect the influences felt by Swiss artists during their travels. The museum brings together the various currents: religious paintings, portraits, exotic descriptions of travels, history, post-impressionism, symbolism, which we discover, among others, with Ferdinand Hodler and his superb paintings of Lake Geneva. Highlights include neo-classicism, academicism, realism, symbolism and post-impressionism; abstract painting in Europe and the United States; Swiss and international video art; new figuration; geometric abstraction and, across all periods, artistic practices reflecting political and social commitment. Other important monographic collections include works by Charles Gleyre, Félix Vallotton, Louis Soutter, Pierre Soulages and Giuseppe Penone. We have the pleasure of discovering sculptures by Rodin and Bourdelle, avant-garde paintings, works by Giacometti, Jean Dubuffet, Paul Klee and Louis Soutter, as well as the abstract expressionism of Cy Twombly, the pop art of the 1970s and the abstraction of the 1980s..

The MCBA is resolutely forward-looking, fascinating and constantly reinventing itself through its dynamic new temporary exhibitions, encounters between artists and the public, workshops and events. Guided tours, workshops for children, families and adults, or guided tours by the curators of temporary exhibitions: the museum team is constantly coming up with new ideas to involve the public of all ages and backgrounds, in an educational and inclusive perspective.

This patrician residence was begun in the ^17th century by Jean-François de Courten. Formerly the Château de la Cour, the building became the Hôtel Château Bellevue in 1888. The hotel welcomed illustrious visitors such as the writer Rainer Maria Rilke and the German philosopher Rudolf Kassner, who stayed at the hotel for seventeen years. In 1964, the city of Sierre purchased the building and the Hôtel Château Bellevue became the present-day town hall. The interior is of great elegance, with magnificent painted ceilings and murals.

Here is a real exploration in the skin of a zoologist, a specialist of the sea bed, a botanist, a geologist... This excellent museum, with a very dynamic management, obtains all the suffrages with the children as with the adults. It is a real journey before time, one could almost say that the animals have a "second life" installed in the heart of their natural environment. Each floor has recreated a new climatic environment. The world of the savannah is in the background to highlight the elephants, giraffes, antelopes, gazelles and wildcats, so much so that one could almost believe they are still alive.

We pass successively from continent to continent, in tropical countries, from the equator to the arctic, desert or temperate worlds. One passes to the world of birds, to the underwater world, to the mineral world, from floor to floor, without forgetting the presentation of the famous Lucy and the two-headed turtle, the highlight of the museum. The museum regularly organizes very good temporary exhibitions on the scientific issues of the future, current topics, including the environment, as well as conferences on geosciences, fossils, dinosaurs, volcanoes, or guided tours with exciting themes. Regularly: "Ciné-samedi/ciné-dimanche", Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. Animations on Wednesdays from 2 to 4:30 pm. An excellent museum, therefore, of which the children do not get tired. We always go back there!

In 2011, monumental black and white frescoes depicting scenes from Charlie Chaplin's films were inaugurated on the two towers of Gilamont, in the presence of Jamel Debbouze, Pascal Légitimus, Michel Leeb and Eugène Chaplin. These frescoes (the largest in Switzerland, at 40 metres high) were created by the painter-performer Frank Bourroullec. A total of 1,720^{m2 of} brushstrokes were needed to turn these towers into art paintings. The project was set up to enhance the district where 400 people live.

Above all, there is a magnificent panorama of the Jura and the valley at the top of the hill, the Léman and the alpine mountains beyond. In fine weather you can see eight lakes in all, French-speaking Switzerland and neighbouring France. The situation of the Tooth, which culminates at 1 487 m, is of course a great deal. The chalet of the Tooth De is easily accessible by road or by various trails. In winter, you can mount a lift.

In the 18th century, a section of the mountain collapsed, transforming a charming mountain pasture into a field of rocks. The latter being rarer in Switzerland than the former, Derborence has at least gained fame, well helped by Ramuz' novel of the same name. The valley is ideal for exploring the surrounding nature where you will see the black cows native to the Val d'Hérens. You are in the heart of the mountain pastures and many walks from the lake are very accessible to all. Authentic, the mayens are the typical rural habitat of these mountain pastures.

The story begins in November 1881, with the inauguration of the Kursaal casino, then more of an English-style concert hall. In 1883, a gambling game called "les petits chevaux" was introduced. From 1914 to 1945, the Kursaal's famous 6-piece orchestra played non-stop. In 1962, the first Venetian-style dance hall, the Lido, was inaugurated, and in 1966, the Montreux Jazz Festival celebrated its first edition here, as well as the twenty-six that followed. On December 4, 1971, the Casino Kursaal burned down during a Frank Zappa concert. The Mothers of Invention orchestra cancelled all its European concerts. In memory of this sad event, Deep Purple composed the song Smoke on the Water, written that very night in the stairwell of the Grand Hotel in Territet, where they were staying. Three and a half years later, the casino reopened. It offers gambling, shows, banquets, a restaurant, a nightclub, a cinema, a swimming pool, a yacht club, as well as a recording studio that has played host to some of the world's most famous artists, including David Bowie, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Michael Jackson, to name but a few.

The 10,000^m2 casino features slot machines, table games, electronic games and poker, as well as three restaurants, two bars, two terraces, a superb swimming pool and the former Mountain Studios, an area dedicated to the band Queen. And don't forget that the casino wins.... extremely often...

What could be more pleasant in summer than a dip in the lake? Parc Bourget is the kingdom of birds and fans of nature and evening parties. The park is also the site of the execution of Major Davel, who was beheaded in 1723 for wanting to free Lausanne from the Bernese yoke and for his insurrection. The entire park is listed as a historic garden. On summer evenings and weekends, many families and groups of friends come to play volleyball, swim in the lake, picnic or barbecue

The Fondation Les Cerlatez, created in 1993 and located 3 km from Saignelégier, develops activities in the field of information, research and protection on the theme of wetlands and in particular on peat bogs. You will discover the particularities of the peat bogs which, in Switzerland, began at the end of the ice age, 12,000 years ago. You can also visit the Maison de la réserve naturelle de l'étang de la Gruère, the vivarium and the small botanical garden.

Leukerbad, located in Switzerland, is an ideal tourist destination for nature and wellness enthusiasts. The town is renowned for its public thermal baths, such as Leukerbad Therme, Walliser Alpentherme & SPA and Therme 51°, where visitors can enjoy moments of relaxation. Leukerbad also offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, climbing and even unique experiences such as watching the sunrise from the summit of the Torrenthorn. Wine lovers can also discover the wine village of Varen and sample the local wines at a tasting session. In summer, the summer pass gives visitors unlimited free access to the Gemmi and Torrent lifts, as well as one admission per day to one of the three public thermal baths. Leukerbad is a destination not to be missed, with its magnificent scenery and wide range of activities.

The website is very useful for planning your stay, with a full calendar of current events, and excellent suggestions for walks, activities, sports, hotels and restaurants. You can book a hotel from the site. On site, don't hesitate to visit one of the information desks for advice and good local addresses. There's also an info point inside the cathedral.

The aim of the Papiliorama Foundation is to help you discover the biodiversity of the rainforest. In this little piece of Swiss jungle, butterflies and multicoloured hummingbirds swirl around you in complete freedom. Don't miss the Jungle Trek! You can feel the 1,000 or so butterflies fluttering around in the 1,200^m2 dome. Bonus: dogs are not allowed in this jungle, but a free dog hotel is available at the entrance.

Housed in the Hôtel Ratzé, the only Renaissance building in Fribourg, as well as in a slaughterhouse, a 19th century arsenal, the MAHF exhibits sculptures, paintings and objects. On several floors, one discovers the sculptures of Jean-François Reyff, the paintings of Hans Geiler, archaeological collections with. The former slaughterhouses house beautiful religious silverware. The 19th and 20th centuries are represented by some great names: Delacroix, Courbet...

Take the world's tallest subway to access the world's largest ice pavilion, which is next to the world's highest turning restaurant… A 70-metre tunnel leads to the heart of the Fee-old Glacier of several millennia at 3 456 metres above sea level. A huge ice cave with a volume of 5 500 cubic metres allows visitors to explore the depths of the glacier.

Former fortifications from the 17th century which housed a powder magazine and which exploded. Since then, they have been rebuilt and provide a beautiful viewpoint over Freiburg with a view of its old quarters, the white university and part of the Henri Tower. The chapel of Loreto dating from 1646 is a small replica of the Santa Casa de Loreto in Italy. The small and very pretty Loreto path invites you to walk or drive down to the Upper Plank.

Beer lovers will be familiar with Torpille, Salamandre, Mandragore and Meule from this Jura-based craft brewery. If you feel like it, you can visit the brewery and, of course, take part in a tasting of these top-fermented beers, brewed according to ancestral recipes of master brewers. Fermented a second time in the bottle, they are neither filtered nor pasteurized, to preserve their aroma and finesse.

Saignelégier, a charming Swiss town in the canton of Jura, has a tourist office to welcome visitors. Even on public holidays, the office is open from 9am to 1:30pm. The Saignelégier tourist office is an ideal starting point for discovering the Jura region and its surrounding destinations.

The museum's collection includes 3,500 fossils, mainly from the canton of Jura, of which almost 400 are displayed in the showcases. For each group, the fossils are compared with related present-day species. The museum is surrounded by the Botanical Garden, the Arboretum and the greenhouses where old Ajoie fruit varieties are kept. It is possible to sign up for thematic tours such as the Dinotec or the Banné excavations. The permanent exhibitions allow you to see the fauna of the Jura up close.

This museum is a gateway to the Jura and the history of the region. Sitting on the rampart of the old town, the building is part of an architectural ensemble from the 18th and 19th centuries. Jurassic, Monk's Head, End of the World... the exhibition uses clichés and symbols of the newest Swiss canton to shed light on the events that have marked the region and its inhabitants. In addition, there are temporary exhibitions which aim to highlight social issues.

It's a funny name for a funny cheese. Yet this hand-held mini-meule is one of Switzerland's finest cheeses. The flavors of Monk's Head's semi-hard paste are revealed by the caressing cut of the girolle. The tool transforms the slices into small, creamy shavings that are deliciously savored. The history and originality of this cheese, a Jura speciality and PDO, from its manufacture to its tasting, can be discovered at the cheese dairy.

The cloister is located to the north of the 12th century collegiate church. It was enlarged in 1380 and the Gothic architecture of its stone vaults can be admired. The collegiate church harmoniously combines Romanesque (choir and crypt), early Gothic (nave) and Baroque (altar) styles. The collegiate church hides the relics of Saint Ursanne under the high altar. The bones are kept in a stone coffin dating from the Gallo-Roman period. A very old place of worship, about fifty monolithic sarcophagi were found during excavations.

Put yourself in the shoes of a watchmaker of yesteryear, understand how the city's architecture was designed to ensure the well-being of watchmakers and the quality of their work... La Balade takes you on a thirty-nine-step journey through the history of the local watchmaking industry, starting at the Place du Marché. The faces of watchmakers like Charles-Émile Tissot and Daniel-Jean Richard will hold no secrets for you. A free guide is available from the town hall and selected retailers, as well as from the La Chaux-de-Fonds tourist office.

Unique in Europe, this cave houses an underground plant that operated until the th century. Guides, competent and friendly guides invite you to visit the places. A visit not to be missed. From the town centre, follow the Rue du Temple, then the Rue de France, west to find the mills. To make the walk more pleasant, it is possible, at the exit of the city, to go behind the Rolex factory and follow the course of the Bied.

Majestic, it blends in naturally with the waters of Lake Geneva. Without doubt one of the most famous silhouettes in the world, Chillon Castle is a symbol of Switzerland, a fine illustration of the country through the harmony of its forms (twenty-five buildings) and the impression of solidity and balance that emanates from it. A fortress set on the water, a veritable lock watching over the old road from Italy, an obligatory passage - due to the narrowness of the site - on the north-south axis, it is also, facing the lake, a ducal residence. It is difficult to date this stronghold precisely, but the presence of a Roman post there already seems to be attested by coins and remains found on the site. Throughout the Middle Ages, the castle was the seat of the powerful Counts of Savoy, established in the region. In 1536, Chillon was known to the Bernese bailiffs, who first made it their residence, before moving to Vevey in the 18th century; as the taste for social life spread, they began to get bored within these solitary walls. Berne took pity on its bailiffs and bought the Tavel house in Vevey to make it their new residence. The demolition of the Chillon castle was then considered; fortunately, the cost of the operation was too high. Finally, the French Revolution led to the fall of Berne. In 1798, the country of Vaud freed itself from Bernese control and since then, the castle of Chillon has belonged to the canton of Vaud.

On site: A modern museography, temporary exhibitions, local wines for sale, souvenir shop and beach.

We can walk on this gigantic dam, which forms a huge lake surrounded by rocks. The prospect of the Alpine massif is exceptional, especially the view on Mont Blanc, which dominates the other summits majestically.

Don't miss a visit to the real Santa's home, in his grotto at the top of the Naye rocks, at 2,042 m! To get there, we suggest a train ride up to Santa's Wonderland. For children, discovering Santa's lair on the Naye Rocks is always a magical moment in the run-up to the big day. Face painting, a games corner, a treasure hunt... Small gifts and diplomas reward well-behaved children.

An excellent way to visit Geneva at a reduced price, or even free of charge for many activities and public transport. There's no shortage of sights to see! This essential pass allows you to organize your program of visits according to your desires. The pass is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours. You'll have a wide choice of cultural and sporting activities, among others. The pass entitles you to significant discounts on museum fees, lake cruises, guided tours, sports activities, etc

Subtlety, finesse and delicacy make up the jewellery presented in this gallery. Each exhibition is unique, imbued with a deep meaning resulting from the singular inspiration of the designer. Each designer tells his or her own story in these jewels. Several universes, innovations and especially exclusive pieces to satisfy you. Annick Zufferey is also a creative designer and her models are composed with a discreet fantasy. Pearls, precious and semi-precious stones come to awaken the finely worked metals.

For a tasting with a panoramic view of the lake! The estate is managed by Maude and Simon Vogel, brother and sister, heirs to a great wine-growing family. These passionate winegrowers go to great lengths to find the right nectars for you. You may even leave with a few good bottles to bring the taste of Lavaux back home with you. The estate also offers alcohol-free tasting packages. Ideal for children and drivers, with fruit juices produced by a local 100% natural artisan. A delightful treat!