Film legend Charlie Chaplin spent 24 years living in the Manoir de Ban, a grand old mansion above Vevey in Switzerland. In 2016, his charming former home and grounds were cleverly and artfully transformed into Chaplin’s World and opened to the … [Read more...]
News and Features
FILM: FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER *** Jim Jarmusch is back!
9 January 2026 This is a week of some pleasant American movies - each with its own version of a life, a couple in the case of “Song Sung Blue”, or families in the Jarmusch film. No masterpieces, but interesting tales of human foibles. And happy … [Read more...]
Swiss Green Liberals target fuel-tax break for piste groomers
In Switzerland the fuel used by piste groomers to prepare ski slopes is cheaper than that used by most other vehicles. The reason is a refund of the mineral oil tax—a levy that, in practice, does not apply to machines that operate off public roads. … [Read more...]
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...]
Federal Council freezes any assets held in Switzerland by Maduro
Bern, 5 January 2026 — The Swiss Federal Council has ordered a precautionary freeze on any assets held in Switzerland by Nicolas Maduro and people associated with him, effective immediately. The move, intended to prevent a flight of capital … [Read more...]
Guides
8 things you must do if you’re running a Swiss business
Brought to you by Winbiz online accounting for Swiss businesses. Once a business is established, there are many ongoing administrative tasks required by law. The main ones are covered in this article. The first few relate to employees and … [Read More...]
8-step guide to hiring a nanny in Switzerland
Brought to you by quitt.ch - No. 1 provider of registration and administration services for domestic help in Switzerland. 1. What do nannies cost in Switzerland? Nannies are expensive in Switzerland. Average monthly salaries range from CHF 3,300 to … [Read More...]
Activities
Halloween in Switzerland in 2024
Many expats, particularly north Americans, may be surprised to discover that Halloween is not a big event in Switzerland. But it is catching on. Long before Halloween existed, a Gaelic festival known as Samhain marked the end of the harvest … [Read more...]
Explore the rich history of Swiss watch making in the enchanting Vallée de Joux
There is far more to Switzerland than cheese and chocolate. Switzerland has watches too! Home to global watch brands such as Audemars Piguet and Jaeger-LeCoultre, La Vallée de Joux, is one of Switzerland's most renowned watch making regions. … [Read more...]
New exhibition opens at Lausanne’s Olympic Museum – We are Olympians, and You?
The latest exhibition at Lausanne’s Olympic Museum is all about the athletes and their stories. And while their record-breaking exploits might be difficult to relate to, the human stories of passion, heartbreak and solidarity that lie behind them, … [Read more...]
