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Living in Nyon took to the air on Tuesday with pilot Marcel Briand to get a bird's eye view of Paléo and of  the town of Nyon.  Take a look at these photos of the festival, the stages and the campsite which were taken early in the afternoon. There are not too many people near the main stage at this time - a complete contrast to the evening when the area is  packed with music lovers, particularly so on Thursday night for both the Dub and Santana concerts.  Review of Thursday coming up. Also below see  photos of  Nyon from above, the castle, the boats in the harbour and check out the colour of the lake! Photo above - Before the crowds arrive - The  main stage - the Grand Scène Close up on just one area of the massive campsite Photo above - More of the campsite and the car parking area Above the Village du Monde area and the Dôme tent, this year the place for music from the Indian Ocean The Dome plus the main stage Behind the scenes of the Les Arches stage. See the infrastructure needed to put on a concert!  Apologies for the not-so sharp-images. It's not easy keeping the camera still when you are high up in a plane and leaning out over the scene in the wind! The Club tent, Les Arches and the Dome tent. The "Birdland" structure seen from above Above the outskirts of Prangins Above Nyon The boats in Nyon harbour The CGN ferry coming into port   Pilot Marcel Briand

This film review of Hula and Natan directed by Robby Elmaliah, is a film " not to be missed" according to Trish Thalman.  This film will be shown today Monday 11 April 2011 at the Capitole 2 – 18:00 Hula and Natan We live just to die”, complains the growling, morose, kind and dissipated Hula, after a ‘Colour Red’ alert is sounded that warns of incoming Qassam Rockets. The, mostly, homemade Hamas rockets are being launched from Gaza and arrive in Sderot, Israel, which is close to the Gaza/Israel border. Hula then jokes “they are giving me back all the metal I sold to them”. Hula and his brother Natan have a car repair ‘shop’ (shop is certainly a loose term) in Sderot. It is in fact, a scruffy, overgrown dusty field with junked out cars spread about like metal toys, random piles of iron, metal, old car batteries -  just about everything, in no particular order. The ‘office’ is an ancient, grimy caravan where business conversations and foul-language, spiteful arguments go on-and-on between the two men. Black, oily hands from years of working on cars, have turned the doors, walls, everything, into a colour of greasy grey mixed with tobacco smoke yellow. It’s a love-hate relationship between the two brothers and they give as good as they get. In fact, it’s the sensitive, loving friendship between them that keeps the business ‘going’. They have been at their ‘car repair shop’ for nearly 30 years and it is their ‘home’. They are well known, loved and despised at the same time. There is an animal family at ‘the shop’ of beloved cats, dogs, a donkey, roosters and chickens who are healthy and extremely well cared for. Even the animals look up to the sky when the ‘color red’ alerts are announced.  Both men have had unhappy marriages.  Hula has been divorced for 13 years, and laments, “ but I have never left my wife”.  Some of his happier moments are when he is with his wife’s son, Aaron, from a relationship she had after the divorce. Natan is separated from his wife and two children. His wife harasses him endlessly on the phone about needing money.  He remains separated and cannot come to grips with getting a divorce. This is cause for many arguments between the two brothers, berating each other about the fact that they have had no joy in their lives or love. They do have a long list of prostitutes names whom they often visit. An eviction notice arrives - again! An eviction notice arrives – again!  This is an on-going process in their lives. The huge crane and trucks arrive to take away all the old cars that are sitting around in the dirt and weeds. In principle, the land is to be cleared and their ‘car repair shop’ is to cease business.  By law, their caravan and other piles of ‘who-knows-what’ is not subject to the eviction notice.  Cars eventually return and the ‘repair shop’ remains in business. For the Independence Day celebration, the two brothers visit a barber together and get their scruffy hair cut and long, unkempt beards shaved off. Pleased with their images, they smile at themselves and each other. They are ready for a day of celebration together and return to the, currently,  empty ‘car repair shop’ caravan and animals. This truly tragicomic story, is joyful and spirited, in spite of their situation with their business, and tense situations with Hamas in-coming fire. They get on with their lives employing a mixture of sullenness, despair, hope, joy, humour and genuine brotherly love for each other. What all religions ask of us. The young filmmaker Robby Elmaliah has created a film about real life provided by two indomitable spirits.  For a few minutes, we focus on people and not the dangerous political situation that exists in the Southern part of Israel.  This is a film not to be missed.

Did you know that you can now shop for clothes on a Sunday at the Karen Millen store  in Geneva?  Not only is the store open on a Sunday for personal shopping (by previous appointment ), but Sarah Groves, the franchise partner of Karen Millen in Switzerland, will guide you towards the perfect outfit including shoes and accessories, whether you are looking for a whole new summer wardrobe, or just a couple of items. In addition she is offering a 10% discount on purchases to Living in Nyon readers. Photo above: Sarah Groves, happy to help her customers shop to find the perfect outfit and on a Sunday too!   This Sunday private shopping concept is a great opportunity to shop in peace (and for busy mums to leave the children with partners for a few hours!) and to try on outfits to their  heart’s content. The Rive car park is located near to the store and the store is easily accessed via public transport. From Cornavin train station take tram lines 12 and 14 to Rive, or buses 5 and 8  which also stop at Rive, directly next to the Karen Millen store.   The Karen Millen store has been established in Geneva since 2002 and Sarah has been supplying stylish clothes to both the Swiss and expat community since it first opened its doors and is now one of Europe’s top stores.   Sarah explained to living in Nyon, “Karen Millen is a designer name but our prices are not stratospheric, they are very competitive, for example, you can pick up a pretty summer dress at  280 CHF  or 175 CHF for a skirt and readers will also be happy to hear we also stock clothes in a wide size range, from size 6 to 16. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service in the shop, it’s our mantra and the fact that we all speak fluent English is very important to  many of our customers”.    If you would like to book a personal shopping session on a Sunday and take advantage of the 10% discount to Living in Nyon readers (discount valid for any day, not just Sunday) then email kmgeneva@yahoo.uk , mention Living in Nyon, and happy shopping! Address of the Geneva store: - 7 Cours de Rive, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland. Opening Hours  Monday:10.00-19.00 Friday:10.00-19.00,  Tuesday:10.00- 19.00, Wednesday:10.00- 19.00, Thursday:10.00-21.0, Saturday:10.00- 18.00 Sunday by personal appointment. Tel: 022-3104201

A Happy New Year to all readers!  Many of you will already have received the Living in Nyon Winter newsletter which was sent out in the first few days of January. The newsletter contains a summary of previous articles published on this site over the last few months plus the news that the site now has two new emails. Please note that the old email cnp@bluewin.ch will no longer be valid for this site. The two new emails are: events@livinginnyon.com - This email is for individuals, companies, other websites, arts, theatre and music organisations to promote events coming up in the area. info@livinginnyon.com - This is for any other Living in Nyon business, including advertising enquiries. Not subscribed to the newsletter? Just add your name in the "sign up now " box in the top right hand corner of this site to receive the newsletter ( approximately 3-4 times a year). Here's an eclectic mix of news and events to begin 2013 plus coming soon on this site, an article on Living in Arzier by resident Laura Covino. New white taxed rubbish/garbage bags to replace black bags You should should have received information through your letterbox about the new white taxed rubbish bags that came into use on the 1st January 2013 in many communities across the canton of Vaud.  There's more information on the official Nyon town site here  There's a also good summary about this new law on the news site Geneva Lunch,  click here , and an interesting interview about the new bags and how communes are affected by the new law on World Radio Switzerland,  here Events this weekend - Sunday 6th January - Galette des Rois in Nyon. The annual serving of the "king cake" to children and adults in Nyon. It is difficult to get accurate information on this event, but  it is assumed the procession will take place at 18:30 outside La Combe shopping centre and then move on to the Place du Chateâu. Also 6th January  - The " Association des bains des 3 Jetées" invite members of the public to join them over a glass of Vin Chaud from 11:00 at the Bains des 3 Jetées itself. Usually this event also involves the serving of raclette around a big massive jacuzzi (after the swimmers in the association have dipped in the icy lake), however as the area is currently being redeveloped and modernised. a simple drink is on offer this year - However the association do say there will be some surprises on the day! Interested in photography? New art gallery opens in Lausanne There is an exhibition currently on until January 17 dedicated to the English photographer Simon Roberts in a newly opened contemporary art gallery in Lausanne. Two series of his work are shown, “We English” and “Pierdom”.  All images have been taken in Great Britain.  For more details of this new gallery and opening hours, click here.   To find out more about the photographer, see his own website here Photo above from the "Pierdom" series.   Description taken from photographer's site With Pierdom, Simon Roberts turns his camera to a specific architectural remnant that bears witness to leisure of the past—not just in England, but around Britain. Mostly built in the 19th Century along the coastline of Britain, these piers were originally constructed as landing docks for pleasure steamers, but progressively catered to the needs of seaside day-trippers, who were escaping the grime and smog of the cities. In their heyday, the ‘pleasure piers’ incorporated cafes, casinos, theaters and even tramways. While some were modest structures others were elegant and exotic, thrusting out into the sea with characterstic Victorian aplomb. At the turn of the last century, almost a hundred piers existed: now only half remain and several face an uncertain future. All have interesting tales to tell, usually involving fierce weather, boat strikes, fires and the practice of ‘sectioning’ in the Second World War, when many piers on the east and south coasts were partly dismantled to prevent them being used as landing stages by the Germans. Following in the footsteps of Francis Frith, whose company made the last major photographic survey of these peculiarly British structures in the early 20th century, Roberts has been documenting the remaining piers, mostly out-of-season, using his signature landscape style and traditional 4 x ” plate camera. The photographs echo his work in We English: topographical landscapes, sometimes figurative and with a minimal colour palette.

Photo above: Courtesy ©Les Hivernales 2012 / Niall Macpherson) of The Bianca Story , performing at the club. The barefoot writer is back!  Regular readers of  Living in Nyon may remember the great reviews of  both the atmosphere and the music from Paléo 2010 written by Jonas Parson (a.k.a "the barefoot writer "). Last year Jonas went travelling to Australia and to India and for the first time in his life he missed Paléo!  However he has now returned to Switzerland and we are happy to report he will be writing for this site again during this year's Paléo and on other music events that are happening around the Nyon region. Jonas is now studying philosophy and French literature at the University of Lausanne, and says he  spends his time reading a lot, practising at the Nyon circus school , and hanging out at the university student pub. He also says - "I'm happy Spring is back as it means I can put my shoes away and happily tread the barefoot path of freedom".  Jonas has written an article below called;  "In between the brackets - a night out at the  "Parenthèse", on the small but influential music club in the heart of Nyon.  Read on to find out more about the concerts at this venue, the club's music policy and how it  is now acquiring a reputation for attracting new and exciting new bands from all over the world. In between the brackets - A night out at the Parenthèse - Jonas Parson Strolling along the Grand-Rue in Nyon, you've probably already gone past the Parenthèse , just opposite the charming cobble-stoned Place du Marché, maybe without even knowing it was there.  Photo above  C. Nelson- Pollard - The venue (enter the tunnel here in Grand Rue next to the music shop to find the Parenthése)  Venturing down a small tunnel dating back – according to the stone carving above the entrance- to the 17 th century,  you find yourself in front of the entrance to this small bar dedicated to promoting live music in the area. Plunge down a flight of stairs, and you'll find yourself in what used to be a wine cellar; this is no place  for the claustrophobic!  The slightly cramped feeling is actually one the charms of the place, making it a small and cosy venue: narrow and long, the bar at one end, the stage at the other, and a dozen tables along both walls. The club entrance  - Photo ©Les Hivernales 2012 / Niall Macpherson A little bit of history of the club The Parenthèse opened in 2008 with the idea of promoting music -rock in particular, but also widening the range to other styles in Nyon. Concentrating mainly on local bands at first, the team at the Parenthèse gradually developed a network throughout the region and started hosting bands from farther afield. The walls of the Parenthèse were soon reverberating to the tunes of bands from as far away as the United States, or from slightly more exotic places like  Estonia with Ewert and the Two Dragons , who'll be 'folking' around on the 27 th of April. See  Utube video of their recent hit "Good Man Down". Promoting and sharing music - The Parenthèse philosophy. Not satisfied with  being just a bar that stages live gigs at the weekend, the Parenthèse has a philosophy of promoting and sharing music, an approach  that sometimes seems to be becoming all too rare in the world of contemporary show-business. Photo ©Les Hivernales 2012 / Niall Macpherson Their contacts and the reputation they've built means that this modest venue is hot on the heels of the ultra-professional rendezvous like the Eurosonics in the Netherlands, an annual and much vaunted  conference/showcase between programmers and bands. In fact about a dozen bands who played at the Parenthèse last year went on to play at  Paleo Festival the same year, with some bands also playing at the Montreux Jazz Festival or the Printemps de Bourges.  The pay check is symbolic This is what the Parenthèse has to offer to bands who come to play in Nyon, as the pay check is more symbolic than anything else in a bar where entrance is free. “ We basically provide board and lodging, pay for them to come to Nyon and for a sound engineer. But they won't get paid much else. On the other hand, the interesting part for the band is that we'll be able to put them in touch with clubs and festivals” explains Benjamin Zumstein, one of the founders of the Parenthèse and in charge of the venue's music programme. “ We all eat together before the gig, and it's a great way to share stuff and meet people. Band members also get free access to the bar all evening, which is something that you don't see much any more”. The Parenthèse is organised along voluntary lines (the association“La Parenthèse culturelle” was created last year), and  membership fees cover the expenses related to hosting, feeding and producing the bands at the venue. It is just CHF 50chf  become a member of the association, note: you don't have to be a member to go to the club or see a band. “We reckoned this was the best way to keep the spirit of sharing alive. It also means the bar itself, which is a limited company, can try and cover the bar expenses quite independently. As entrance is free, we're not actually making any money for the time being, so the idea is to try and limit the losses. The bar is open five nights a week, which means we need to pay a full time bar-tender, and there aren't that many people popping in for a drink during the week. So after the summer break this year (well yeah, it's the festival season, and people would rather go and have a drink outdoors than in a cellar!), the bar will only open from Thursday to Saturday.” Attracting a varied public  The club attracts a varied  public, ranging from teenage music fans to older people happy to come for a drink in a place where they know they'll discover new music and a truly eclectic line-up,  the Parenthèse is a fine place to go and chill out, have a drink and discover some very cool music.  La Parenthèse, Grand-Rue 22bis, Nyon. Here's a latest list of the complete line-up of  bands playing up to the summer break or see site here March 29   – No Mad (F) 31  – Se3en (CH) April 5 - Teletextiles (USA) 6  – Chloé Mons (F) 7  – Sound of Guns (UK) 13  – Jerrycan (CH) 14   - CATS ON TREES (F) 18  – The Travelling Band (UK) 19  – Maia Vidal (ESP) 20  – Joan and the Sailors (CH) 25  – Peasant (USA) 26  – Will Samson (UK) 27  – Ewert and the Two Dragons (EE) May 5  – Appletop (F) 17 – Kandle (CAN) 19  – The Deers (CH) 25  – Fog Horn (USA) Concerts are free, and usually take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The bar can be rented out this summer for private parties, the money will help continue bringing bands to Nyon and keeping the concerts free. Photo above: Photo ©Les Hivernales 2012 / Niall Macpherson.  The group "Owwle" at the Parenthèse.

Local Artisans Fair - Early Christmas Shopping Opportunity in Divonne this weekend Around 30 local artisans will be at the next UpMarket Markets event at L'Esplanade du Lac, Divonne-Les-Bains on Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November from 10:00-17:00  The fair will be situated by the lake and there will be lots of lovely hand crafted items on sale. Childrens' products, home furnishings, art, gifts and more. Fore more info on the designers and the creators in the group see their home page here  and their Facebook page here . Mulled Wine, turkey and cranberry sandwiches, coffee and home made cakes also on offer. "Fish invade the Museum" - Exhibition extended The current exhibition on Aquariums at the Musée du Léman has been extended until the 6th December 2015   For more details click here Cees Nooteboom in conversation at the Jan Michalski Foundation Sunday 31st October at 15:00   Photo above ©-Marzena-Pogorzaly Conversation with Cees Nooteboom  Cees Nooteboom was born in The Hague in 1933, and now lives in Amsterdam and on the island of Minorca. He is one of Europe’s most elegant stylists, novelists and travel writers whose books include Roads to Santiago (1997) All Souls’ Day (2001), The Foxes Come at Night (2011) and Roads to Berlin (2012). He has received many awards including the Dutch Literature Prize and the German Order of Merit for Roads to Berlin. More details click here   Event moderated in English by Lisbeth Koutchoumoff, journalist at Le Temps. Entrance CHF 10 Reservation required: nooteboom@fondation-janmichalski.ch

Swimming Lessons over the Easter holidays and throughout the year Clinique La Lignière in Gland is offering both group and individual swimming lessons over the Easter holidays in its indoor swimming pool. Courses run throughout the year and during school holidays. This clinic and the swimming pool is set in lovely grounds and is situated just beyond the town of Gland. The clinic also offers Aquagym classes, it has a gym, jacuzzi, sauna, offers personal training and massages for both relaxation, back treatment etc. Click here for more details Job Hunting for the over 45s in Switzerland Swiss Info has recently featured an interesting article on job hunting for the over 45's in Switzerland. Entitled  "Too old to be hired, too young to retire" it highlights the difficulty of job hunting for older workers and how that only 1% of Swiss job ads are aimed at people over 45.  Click here for the full article Local Church Services  La Côte church (in Gingins and Divonne) is holding services in English over the Easter period. Click here  for their weekly bulletin. Westlake church (in Nyon and Lausanne) also has a programme of Easter services. Click here

The next Geneva English Drama Society production is  Dancing At Lughnasa  by Brian Friel. This play has won the Olivier Award , the Tony Award , the Evening Standard Award and the New York Drama Critics Award . Synopsis below. Michael, now a young man in 1960, relives the late summer days of 1936, when music on the radio seemed miraculous, the church seemed infallible, and love briefly seemed possible for his unmarried mother and her four sisters. On the west coast of Donegal, the five brave and hardworking Mundy sisters welcome home their frail elder brother Jack, who has re-turned from a life as a missionary in Africa. The summer is made unforgettable by three arrivals: Uncle Jack, Michael’s prodigal father Gerry, and a wireless radio - the family’s one luxury. Unbeknownst to the sisters, tragic and brutal events will make this the last time the family would all be together.  They step out into the afternoon September sun to enjoy their tea, unaware that this is the best it ever will be. Cast members are:  Cathy Boyle,  Andrew Brookes, Viki Lazar, Catherine Monagle, Daire O’Doherty, Gemma Parkes, Colin Paterson and Béibhinn Regli. The play is directed by Charles Slovenski Dates - 3- 7 March  Tuesday-Friday 20:00  Saturday 19:00 Théâtre de l'Espérance, 8 rue de la Chapelle, 1207 Geneva Tickets: CHF 30 (seats numbered), students CHF 20 on presentation of student card (must be purchased at the theater on the night of the show) For more info: See GEDS To buy tickets:   See here

The signs are going up around the town and the pace for Euro2008 is hotting up. Shame the weather isn't doing the same .

From St Cergue to Chamonix The snowdrops are out, yet the snow is still in great condition, so what are the best options for skiing from Nyon, both nearby and up to 90 minutes drive away? St Cergue Nyon's own "ski-hill" is at St Cergue which is easily accessible via the red NStCM train from the centre of town. The two slopes are open all day Saturday and Sunday, and Tuesday to Friday afternoon. However, arguably the best way to enjoy skiing at St Cergue is to finish work early and try the night skiing from 7-10 pm on Tuesday to Saturday. You can combine this with a fondue at one of six participating restaurants. See their website for more info A little bit further on and worthy of a full day is to ski at La Dole. Accessible by car or by the red train and a bus connection (take either the 07.56 or 08.56 trains from Nyon), La Dole has a chairlift and 8 button tows. It is also connected through to the French resort of Les Jouvencelles. Take your passport! See La Dole website Options less than a 90 minute drive away Further afield there are many options within less than 90 minutes drive from Nyon. Heading east around the lake past Lausanne, there are a range of options including Leysin, Villars, Verbier and les Portes du Soleil. For families, Villars is a good option. Park either at the free car park on the left hand side on entering the town, and take the gondola onto the slopes, or alternatively, park in the underground carpark in the centre of Villars opposite the train station and take the train upto Bretaye. Take plenty of coins for the underground carpark - you will need CHF12 for 6 hours. Bretaye is the centre of the ski area from where the slopes radiate out. There is a flat area for beginners, a ski rental shop and several restaurants. Villars website Champery Across the other side of the Rhone valley, and opposite the Dents du Midi mountain range there is the village of Champery. It is part of the vast Portes du Soleil resort which has 650km of slopes. Set off from Nyon at 8.15 and you could be pulling up at the carpark in front of the cablecar by 9.30. Pack your passport as the best skiing is arguably over the border in France on the slopes of Avoriaz and Chatel. Whilst there are plenty of blue slopes, there are also unpisted and steep slopes - including the downhill course at Avoriaz and the infamous "Wall" which is the Swiss side of the border on the way home (though there is no embarrassment in taking the chairlift down if you don't fancy the moguls). There are also plenty of typical Savoyard restaurants, including several nice ones in the Les Lindarets "goat village" above Montiond. Portes du Soleil website Both Villars and Champery are also accessible by train from Nyon. Take the train to Brig and change in Aigle. There are mountain trains that connect to Villars and Champery, as well as Leysin and Les Diablerets. Les Contamines Heading west from Nyon around Geneva and down to Chamonix, another great option for families and those who prefer to ski on blue and red runs is Les Contamines. Turn off the motorway at St Gervais and in the town turn left to Les Contamines. This is a resort that is "off the beaten track", with wide open slopes situated above the tree line. It is situated in the snow shadow of Mont Blanc and so often has good snow. Drive through the village. If there is no car park space by the first gondola station you come to, drive further up the valley and there is a larger car park and a second gondola that will take you up the mountain. Les Contamines website Les Grands Montets at Chamonix A final recommendation for those who like steep slopes is Les Grands Montets at Chamonix. Drive to Chamonix, then carry on up towards the head of the valley to Argentière where the Grands Montets cable car is on the right hand side just off the main road. Be prepared to share the cable car with ski-mountaineers complete with ice axes and other high altitude equipment. Pay an extra fee and you can join them and take a cablecar upto 3300m and enjoy some off piste skiing through mountain wilderness and up close to a glacier. All less than 90 minutes from Nyon. Chamonix website A few other tips. Most of the larger resorts allow you to buy your lift pass on the internet. You will need to have a "hands free" ski pass. Several resorts also offer a loyalty scheme. Collect points every time you ski and you will be able to get either a discount or eventually a free day skiing.

A New York concept in Nyon - Healthy take away food from Falaque When Sharin Hossain first moved to Vaud in 2006 she was surprised at how difficult it was to get a healthy takeaway or delivery service in the area. Having previously lived in New York, she was used to the convenience and choice of dial up food delivery services. Finding nothing similar here, Sharin spotted a gap in the market and set about creating her own take-away business. She prepared a healthy selection of Bangladeshi dishes cooked in her own kitchen in the village of Crans, her husband handled the deliveries and the Falaque business was born. After quickly acquiring a loyal customer base for these home-made meals, she knew she was on to a winner. She offered, every Friday, a full dinner with a starter, main, vegetable, rice and dessert, all delivered to the customer's home. The idea worked so well and the food itself was so highly praised, she knew that the next logical step would be to open a small take away / restaurant in the local area. A fresh and modern look for fresh and modern food So she went on the hunt for premises. After a long wait and a few hiccups along the way, Sharin finally found the perfect location in Nyon at the south end of Place Perdtemps. She commissioned a local architect to redesign the space and gave them the brief of turning the place into a modern eatery. “The last thing I wanted was a place with clichéd Indian statues and objects everywhere. I wanted the look to reflect the food which is fresh and fun. Plus, I won’t always be preparing Bengali/Indian food all the time, although my roots lie in Bengali cooking, there will be occasions when I will try other types of international cuisines”. Photo above: Sharin in the kitchen in view from the restaurant Sharin also put in a request for an open hatch to be visible from the restaurant itself so customers could see both Sharin and her kitchen staff preparing and cooking the meals in the kitchen beyond. Another satisfied customer! Sharin’s reputation at providing delicious food cooked at home has now continued at the restaurant and customers trust her to provide a variety of interesting and menus each day. Customers who order a meal are now given the option of an “express” meal, a “sports” meal or a “fun” meal with a simple, basic pricing structure.  Falaque has now become an institution in the area and it has received a lot of praise and happy customers judging by its Facebook page. Living in Nyon has sampled the food, and can highly recommend it! Try it for yourself! New customers get a discount on their first order a nd home deliveries on a Monday and Tuesday are free. Falaque is open every day apart from Sunday. The choice of tasty menus for each day and for the entire week are posted on the website, vegetarian options are always available.   For full details see here

LE Nez - The Nose by Kim Nguyen  Screening today at the Thèâtre de Grand-Champ, Gland  Tuesday 20 April at  15:00 Info and tickets here Film Review from Visions du Réel by Trish Thalman. The Nose Knows! A chef comments that when you have a meal in a restaurant, the waiter asks "how does the meal taste? " The chef believes the waiter should ask " how does it smell ?"  We smell before we taste and a good taste is related to a good smell. Don't worry if you like to have a good smell of your food before you eat it. You'll enjoy what is on the plate more if you have had a good nose down and inhale deeply. The sense of smell is a major part of our being, from the moment we are born and have the first smell of mother's milk. Smell is an overwhelming part of our memory (grandma's cookies when you smell vanilla essence), emotions and desires. Women have a more strongly developed sense of smell, but it is primarily men who are famous for creating the finest perfumes for women. 'The Nose' is a lively, colourful, well constructed film that has us meeting a full spectrum of people speaking in the most captivating manner about smell and how they use their noses.  See trailer below We begin with a woman who, through an accident, lost her sense of smell for some years (it returned), and continue through truffle hunters and truffle merchants, perfume makers, wine and food experts, speech therapists, a saffron collector in Morocco and children being asked to describe the scent of a truffle ("smells like my dog ") . All have their story to tell as to how they use their nose with scents for work and pleasure in everyday and professional lives. We learn that 'outer space' smells "like the smell in the air after a gun has been fired". A scientist takes us through a diagram of how scent/smell makes it's way up through our nose to the olefactory nerve and embeds into our brain. Fast work for the nose, and the memories remain forever, the good and the bad. Another scientist explains to us what ambergris is, an essential product used in the making of fine perfumes. A highly valuable commodity that comes from whales. I learn something new every day. A German perfume maker has created a special 'scent of a woman'. Men seem to like it. One woman broke up with her boyfriend because they were  "scent-ually incompatible". An excellent, charming film, with the right amount of scientific facts to enjoy, even if there isn't 'smell-o-vision' when the elegant bottle of 'Channel No. 5' is shown, and a 'mythical' story about Marilyn Monroe is told.