A pioneering Swiss project to install removeable solar panels between railway tracks has completed its first year of operation with encouraging results, suggesting the technology can generate electricity without disrupting train services, reported … [Read more...]
News and Features
FILM: MOANA (Vaiana: La Légende) *** – a charmer of a film for the whole family
10 July 2026 VAIANA: LA LÉGENDE (called MOANA in the U.S.) *** What a charmer of a film for the whole family. We were expecting animation at the press screening, we were instead pleasantly surprised with a live-action version, with some … [Read more...]
Recent Swiss heatwave causes fewer deaths than 2003
The heatwave that swept across Switzerland in late June appears to have caused a modest increase in deaths among older people. Mortality among those aged 65 and over exceeded official projections during the week of June 22nd-28th, though it remained … [Read more...]
SwissPass says no to ticket-buying grace period
Switzerland's public transport system operates on a simple rule: passengers must hold a valid ticket before their train, tram or bus starts moving. Buying one on a smartphone even a few seconds after departure can result in a fine. The rule is … [Read more...]
Geneva debates charging for access to its beaches
Gitana beach in Bellevue has begun charging visitors this summer, joining the small number of paid-access beaches on Lake Geneva. The new entrance fee of up to CHF 4 has reignited debate over whether people should have to pay to reach the lakeshore, … [Read more...]
Guides
Language requirements for Swiss citizenship and visas – what you need to know
Brought to you by Swiss French School. On 1 January 2019, Switzerland’s federal government tightened and harmonised the rules on language requirements to qualify for some residence permits, B and C permits in particular, and … [Read More...]
Hiring a cleaner – around half break law on Swiss accident insurance
Brought to you by quitt.ch - No. 1 provider of registration and administration services for domestic help in Switzerland. In Switzerland, around one in seven hire someone to do their cleaning, but around half break the law, risking fines and a big … [Read More...]
Activities
Lake Geneva – tests show beaches with cleanest water
A map published recently by the Commission internationale pour la protection des eaux du Léman (CIPEL), a Swiss-French intergovernmental organisation, rates the water quality at most Lake Geneva beaches as excellent or of a medium to good quality. … [Read more...]
Swiss 2021 summer music festival Paléo cancelled
In April 2020, when Covid-19 was spreading across Europe, Paléo announced it was cancelling its 2020 summer music festival. Today, it announced it is cancelling its 2021 festival. In an announcement Paléo said: "the whole organising team kept … [Read more...]
Going underground – Touring Switzerland’s oldest salt mine
There is a reason why the Swiss excel at digging tunnels: they have been doing it for a very long time. In 1680, tunnels were dug into the Vaud Alps near Bex to get at salt buried there more than 200 million years earlier, le Sel des … [Read more...]
