Neighbours’ Day in Nyon. Time to Get to Know Your Neighbours?

How well do you know your neighbours?

It’s one of those things we all say we’ll do. Take the time to have a quick conversation rather than the passing “bonjour”. A chance to get to know who lives next door. Maybe organise an apéro one day soon…

Well, this is your moment.

The Fête des voisin·e·s takes place on Friday 29 May 2026, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: an open invitation to turn your building, your street, or your courtyard into a social get-together, even if just for an evening

A Simple Idea That Works

A Simple Idea That Works

The concept is refreshingly straightforward. Invite your neighbours. Share a drink, a meal (Canadian buffet style is always easy), or just a quick hello. That’s it. No big production, no pressure. The whole idea is to create those small moments of connection that often get lost in everyday life. The event has been running in Nyon since 2006, encouraging people in the same building or neighbourhood to come together and build a sense of community.

And it works. Once you’ve shared a moment like this, it gets easier the next time.

Take the Initiative (Someone Has To)

Let’s be honest. Everyone is waiting for someone else to organise it. So this is your nudge.

• Send a message in the building WhatsApp group

• Put a note in the lift

• Knock on a door

• Suggest a simple apéro outside

You don’t need to host a full dinner. A few drinks and something to nibble on is more than enough.

The Commune Makes It Easy

If you’re not sure where to begin, the Ville de Nyon actually provides free materials to help you get going; posters, flyers, and invitation cards to share with your neighbours. You can order them online or by email, and turn the casual "nice" idea into something real.

But Is It Even Worth It?

Let’s be honest for a second. Nyon, like much of this region, is full of movement. People arrive, people leave. Contracts end, families relocate, apartments change hands. It can feel… transient. So the question naturally comes up: is it even worth getting to know your neighbours if they might not be here in a year?

Maybe more than ever. That’s exactly the kind of environment where people can end up feeling disconnected. The whole idea behind the Fête des voisin·e·s was to break that pattern, to make it easier to say hello, even briefly, and create a sense of belonging, however temporary. It was originally created to bring people together and reduce the feeling of isolation.

But it’s not just about those passing through. For those who’ve been here longer, Swiss or long-term residents, it’s a way to open the door a little wider. To connect with the mix of people around them. To bridge that quiet gap that can exist between “locals” and “new arrivals.” Because Nyon is both.

So, Put It in the Diary

Friday 29 May.

Send the message. Order the materials. Start the group chat. Put up the sign in the hallway.

Most people are open to it, they just need someone to go first.

Why not make that someone you?