Guided tours Romandy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This tourist-oriented line offers an extraordinary journey in 2 different trains, with panoramic views of breathtaking landscapes, between lakes and peaks. A permanent spectacle punctuated by three passes, the famous 4,000 passes of the Alps, and eight lakes. The most nostalgic will appreciate the GoldenPass MOB Belle Epoque, with the allure of the Orient Express. It follows the same route as the Panoramic... In its gourmet and seasonal version, there is the Chocolate Train in summer and the Cheese Train in winter. The price includes the train journey and the visits.

Don't miss this opportunity to discover Geneva in an authentic tramway dating from the ^20th century! The Geneva Tramway Museum Association, which is in charge of their conservation, offers an unusual tour. From May to October, one Sunday a month, the streetcars take us back in time to discover the city, from Carouge to the Nations, passing through Plainpalais, from Rive to Place Neuve and back down to Carouge. A must try!

A visit to Morand's is a must. For four generations, the house has been a must when travelling through the Valais! The distillery has been in operation since 1889 and produces the most emblematic product of the Valais: its eau-de-vie. The tour explains how the famous Abricotine PDO brandy, Williamine, is made. You will wander around the stills and discover all the secrets of production: from the selection of the fruit to the fermentation process.

It is difficult to visit Geneva without paying tribute to one of its unavoidable specialties: chocolate. Over the years, the quality and unique flavors of Swiss chocolate have not wavered. The Geneva Tourist Office has set up a very original program to allow travelers to taste the various flavors and aromas of Geneva's chocolates. The concept is simple: the purchase of the "choco pass" allows to test a wide range of chocolates in a "tasting plate" proposed in the stores listed in the "choco pass".

This minitrain is made for strolling through the park with your children, and it's been around since 1964! This electric train will take young and old on its tracks along a circuit of the Vidy grounds, along the lakeshore linking the port and the Théâtre de Vidy. The adorable, recently repainted minilocomotives take children on a leisurely tour of the grounds. It's a fun way to stroll around, and toddlers love it... It's a great way to fall back into childhood with your kids!

You can't get enough of certain tourist transports. This little train allows you to visit the city in a playful way and without getting too tired. You will have plenty of time to climb the streets during your free visit. It goes around the city and takes place at Place Georges-Python. Easily recognisable with its white and blue colours, it takes you into the historic centre and is an alternative to the funicular, for example. It works like a hop-on, hop-off, which allows you to stop and pick it up whenever you want.

Strolling along the banks of Geneva from Swiss Boat promises you a gentle stroll rich in discoveries. The Swiss Boat company organises several types of themed cruises, for example "Along the Rhône", or the cruise known as "The Mermaid". Routes last up to 2 hours 45 minutes for the cruise along the Rhône, which takes you to Peney (gastronomic stopover at the Café de Peney) or Verbois. The company also rents yachts and boats for private events.

Keytours has more than one trick up its sleeve to offer you a tour that meets your expectations. For the fun part, go on board a small train and receive live commentary on one of the 3 themed tours: "the old town", "the parks and residences", or "international Geneva". A range of daily excursions goes to the neighboring towns and mountains: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (package including the Aiguille du Midi or the Mer de glace), Gruyères (Cheese and Chocolate factory), Lausanne-Montreux-Chillon (includes the cruise to the Chateau).

The association Pré en Bulle proposes to create links between the districts of Grottes, Cropettes, Montbrillant by activating the associative and collective fabric. It sets up activities for children, teenagers and the general public. In addition to the bicycle exchange, it offers an original way to discover Geneva, and more particularly the Grottoes district. Why not take a bike or simply your two feet, a headset and let yourself be guided through the unusual places of the district, in a completely free way? The audio recordings are provided by the association, as well as the mp3 player if you don't have one with you. Visiting this neighborhood with locals, on a bike, is a very personalized way to get to know all the details.

Always dynamic and available, seniors are full of good ideas to share so as not to remain isolated. The Guides d'accueil of the Mouvement des aînés de Vaud offer a wide range of activities throughout the year, including leisure activities, excursions and training courses. They are also the ones who will guide you on a day out in Lausanne to discover all its secrets. The kindness, knowledge and, above all, the benefit of sharing the lives of local people will enrich your visit to the city. Don't hesitate to call on their knowledge.

Experience Geneva's historical moments as if you were there! Every Sunday, at the Brunswick monument, a guide in a cap awaits you and accompanies you to seven statues of historical figures who share the urban landscape of Geneva. A dozen actors and actresses in costume perform 4 to 5 minute sketches. Head for the landing stage for the re-enactment of Sissi's assassination, Rousseau Island, the bust of Henry Dunant or the Reformers' Wall... A walking tour, exclusively outdoors, with no particular difficulty.

These circuits, lasting approximately 5 hours, were initiated in 2012. On the programme: guided tours in small groups (max. 7 people) in the vineyards of Chablais or Lavaux, with wine tasting and meal included. A very privileged way to discover the particularities of Lavaux wines. You follow the coast in a mini bus with guides and enjoy privileged access to the estates. The price is degressive for groups, but even if the quality is there, it may still put off some.

A fun way to discover Sion's historic town center, as well as other routes such as Lac de Montorge and Domaine des Îles. Kids love this little red-and-white train that looks just like a big one! For adults, it's a great way to discover the region while saving a little money. It runs all summer long, but can also be privatized for events involving ten or more people. Along the way, listen out for historical information.