Search

Have you ever bought your child the brand new fancy toy that they just could not live without, only to find it languishing in a corner of their bedroom several weeks later, unloved and unused? The concept of a ludothèque was completely new to me until I moved to Switzerland. A ludothèque is a lending library for toys and games usually run by the local council or library. Nyon , Coppet and Rolle already have well-established Ludothèques and on Friday 2 September a new one will open its doors in Gland. The Ludothèque Intercommunale La Cote will be open from 09.30 – 12.00 and 14.00 – 18.30. Borrowing is a great way to avoid shelling out on expensive new toys and games for kids to lose interest after a few weeks or months. You and your family can test out new games before committing to a purchase. Indeed, these toy libraries are an amazing resource, making accessing toys both affordable and greener. Toy libraries introduce children to the share economy at an early age, a concept vital to supporting sustainable living. Here are some more reasons to use a ludothèque: Access a large variety of toys Reduce the clutter of abandoned toys Reduce waste and protect our planet’s resources Learning the value of sharing Be part of a community In a similar vein, La Manivelle Nyon is a non-profit association for the loan of equipment and tools that opened last summer. It also operates like a library, making a wide range of equipment available to its subscribers. After taking out an annual or monthly subscription, each member can borrow the desired item, accessible via an online catalogue. So, why not try before you buy? Read more about the ludothèque in Nyon in our previous article here .

From Donna Leon to Phillip Sands, Susan Jane Gilman and more Le Livre sure les quais is back from the 2-4th September with an exciting English programme. This literary festival is situated along the lovely lakeside in Morges. Some of the events are held as a literary cruise! T here will be a selection of events in English with international writers, including from this year’s guest country - Iceland. Events this year will look at the power of place, community, and the natural world, as well as the importance of relationships and connections in fiction. See English programme below Saturday, 3 September 11:30-12:30 «Challenging Female Stereotypes in Fiction and a Graphic Novel» Maaza Mengiste, Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir and Barbara Stok in conversation Moderated by Margot Dijkgraaf Venue - Nouvelle Couronne, salle de la Couronne (1er étage) (60 min. 13:30-15:00 Writing Workshop «Where to Start and Where to Go : How to Shape Your Story» Taught by Susan Jane Gilman Sometimes we have a story we’re dying to write, but we quickly become overwhelmed when we try to figure out how best to start it or how to structure it so that the story flows and remains compelling. This hands-on workshop will focus on some nuts-and-bolts elements of the craft of writing. Whether you’re working on fiction or nonfiction, it will illuminate important aspects of shaping a narrative. Through a lively discussion with short reading and writing exercises, participants will learn several essential writing skills and get a clearer sense of how to approach writing a short story, a novel, or a memoir. Registration obligatory. Max 15 participants En partenariat avec le GWG Bibliothèque - Espace Adultes (90 min.) 14:00-15:00 «On Connection and Isolation: Between nature, art and pandemic» Kristín Eiríksdóttir and Sarah Moss in conversation Moderated by Michelle Bailat-Jones Nouvelle Couronne, salle de la Couronne (1er étage) (60 min. 14:45-16:00 Literary cruise "Thirty Years of Commissaire Brunetti" Interview with Donna Leon.  Moderated by Jacques Poget In English, interpreted into French by Laurent Lefort Le Lausanne boat, Salon Haute-Savoie, (pont principal arrière) 16:00-17:00 «The Last Colony: The story of Chagos Islands, exile and Britain’s colonial legacy» Interview with Philippe Sands Moderated by Matthew Wake Nouvelle Couronne, salle de la Couronne (1er étage) (60 min.) 18:00-19:00 «On the Past, War and Personal Histories» Maaza Mengiste and Juan Gabriel Vásquez in conversation Moderated by Philippe Sands Followed by a signing session on site Nouvelle Couronne, salle des armures (rez – ground floor) (60 min.) Sunday, 4 th September 11:00-12:00 «Between Misogyny and Masculinity: Conflict, redemption and fractured relationships» Jarred McGinnis and Evie Wyld in conversation Moderated by Matthew Wake Fondation Bolle (60 min.) 11:00-12:00 ‘Afropeans: Exploring Europe’s Black Communities’ – Interview with Johny Pitts  In English translated into French Moderated by Pamela Ohéné-Nyako . Interpretation: Laurent Lefort. Mont Blanc hotel 13:30-14:30 «Writer and translator on Henry Dunant, the Founder of Red Cross» Corinne Chaponnière interviewed by the translator of the book, Michelle Bailat-Jones Nouvelle Couronne, salle de la Couronne (1 er étage) (60 min.) 15:00-16:00 «The World in Danger: From environmental challenges to new technologies» Qiufan Chen and Andri Snær Magnason in conversation Moderated by Clare O'Dea Nouvelle Couronne, salle de la Couronne (1er étage) (60 min.) 16 :30-17:30 «Icelandic writers on Place, Community and the Power of Imagination» Sigridur Bjornsdottir and Jón Kalman Stefánsson in conversation Moderated by Clare O'Dea Nouvelle Couronne, salle de la Couronne (1er étage) (60 min.) Sarah Moss and Kristín Eiríksdóttir will look at how people deal with isolation and connection through art and nature; Evie Wyld and Jarred McGinnis will consider misogyny, masculinity, and family relations. Jón Kalman Stefánsson and Gyrdir Elíasson will talk about community and the power of imagination. Maaza Mengiste, Audur Alva Ólafsdóttir, and Barbara Stok will challenge feminine stereotypes – Maaza has written about women who went to war during Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in 1935; Ava about rampant sexism and homophobia in 60s Iceland; and Barbara Stok, joining us from the Netherlands with her graphic novel about Hipparchia, about the first female philosopher. Juan Gabriel Vasquez and Maaza Mengiste will discuss the personal and political, the past, and war. Donna Leon will transport us to Venice in her series of hugely successful crime novels. The festival will also have an exciting selection of non-fiction events dealing with history and current affairs. Philippe Sands will examine Chagos and how Britain’s colonial rule is not over yet, while Corinne Chaponnière and Michele Baillat-Jones will talk about the Swiss icon and founder of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant. Andri Snær Magnason and Chen Qiufan are also joining us to explore current crises and dangers - from environmental challenges to new technologies. Finally, Johny Pitts will delve into the history of Europe’s Black communities. And, for those who write themselves, Geneva Writers’ Group are running a creative writing workshop led by Susan Jane Gilman.

Headteacher Patricia Spencer of ( Oak Hill, Nyon) and Dr Jennie Guise (Dysguise, UK) answer questions about reading and how to identify the signs that your child may need additional support.  What do we know? Learning to read is often an enjoyable skill that many children develop with little inconvenience. Unlike learning to talk, learning to read and write is not a ‘natural’ or automatic process. It can be a frustrating experience for some students and gradually undermines self-confidence. Understanding the process of how children acquire good reading skills has never been more important. What are the foundation skills of reading? Regular exposure to a variety of literature and positive encouragement is a good introduction to reading for any child . Below are the the five pillars of reading for developing essential foundation skills: Phonemic Awareness (focusing on the sounds word-parts make) Phonic Knowledge (connecting sounds and letter combinations) Reading Fluency (reading/understanding at an appropriate pace) Vocabulary (continually building word knowledge) Comprehension (understanding/inferring/predicting and making connections about the text) What is dyslexia? Dyslexia (also referred to as a specific learning disability) is a lifelong, language-based, learning difference that affects an individual’s ability to develop reading, writing, and spelling skills. In addition to these challenges, dyslexia often co-occur with other learning differences. Does dyslexia only affect reading? No – dyslexic type difficulties may also affect an individual’s capacity to spell, write, remember sequences, complete math problems or express themselves verbally. The issues often overlap. Isn’t dyslexia just reversing letters? Dyslexia is far wider than this definition but some students may reverse letters. Parents/teachers interested in finding out if a child has dyslexia will benefit from observing reading/writing work completed by the student and assessing the following: Oral language skills Writing ability Spelling accuracy Sequencing skills Breadth of vocabulary Short/long-term memory Ability to read familiar/unfamiliar words. The information gathered can help determine if further testing is needed with a learning support teacher, speech therapist, psychologist, etc. What is the testing process a psychologist might carry out? - To determine a child’s overall abilities, psychologists often conduct a WISC-V test (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) to assess a child’s cognitive profile in these five areas: Verbal comprehension Visual-spatial ability Fluid reasoning Working memory Processing speed The tests are designed to indicate a child’s reasoning abilities and processing skills. - Alongside the WISC, the examiner may also conduct a WIAT-III (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test). This test aims to determine achievement levels in literacy and numeracy. These two tests are co-related and help establish if the child is performing at levels comparable to their cognitive ability. - After the assessment is complete, a detailed report is written, explaining the testing. The results identify areas of strength and areas of difficulty that were not previously considered. - Finally, a range of recommendations is provided to help guide parents with best practice and next steps. What age should I get my child assessed if I have concerns? Around 7 or 8 years of age is a good time to start investigating if a child is finding it difficult to develop literacy and numeracy skills. If we leave things as they are, won’t the child just catch up with other children in the class? Well-meaning adults may feel a child will ‘grow out’ of their difficulties. However, research shows that this is often not true, especially for those with dyslexia. Instead, the gap gets wider, gradually affecting not only their academic skills, but their self-esteem and confidence as well. Early identification and intervention is key to unlocking the potential of individuals. So what type of intervention specifically assists students with dyslexia? The first thing to do as soon as a parent/teacher notices a child is having difficulties is to identify the ‘gaps’ that are present. With this information, a rigorous, research-based programme (such as the one offered at Oak Hill, Nyon) should be followed regularly to help increase their skills. Students with dyslexia often require multiple explanations compared to their peers and benefit from ‘multi-sensory’ approaches to learning. An important point to make is that many students with dyslexia possess originality and creativity beyond the expected or ‘regular’. It is our responsibility as parents and teachers to shine a light on these talents. My child is struggling in reading and writing - what should I do? Talking with the child’s teacher/learning support coordinator and working together to assess the child’s challenges is a good starting point. How do I find out more? There is a lot of helpful information available online; here is a selection of a range of useful resources that may help: www.dyslexiaida.org www.hillcenter.org www.hillcenter.org www.readingrockets.org www.dyslexiatraininginstitute.org www.apmreports.org/episode/2019/10/23/hanfordandreading To continue learning about dyslexia, visit Oak Hill’s website. Or attend one of their seminars or open mornings. Read our previous article on Oak Hill and their methodology here .

Queen Elizabeth II died last week on 8th September 2022. We all knew it was a day that was going to come but perhaps not so suddenly as it did. News channels and social media are flooded with images of the Queen both past and present as we lead up to her funeral next Monday 19th September. Rituals and traditions are being performed each day that most of us have not seen in our lifetime. There was the proclamation of King Charles III and the new King and his siblings taking part in the Vigil of the Princes, standing guard by the coffin of the Queen. As expats we can often feel distant from our home nations, especially the emotions and sense of community surrounding historic events. More recently for the British expats; the death of Prince Philip, the Platinum Jubilee and England winning the Women's Football Euros! No matter where you stand on the idea of the Monarchy, it seems that the outpouring of grief is more for the Queen herself and not the crown she held and that's what makes it as unique as her reign. The longest serving Monarch in British History, we are unlikely to see another Queen reign Great Britain for generations to come. And Royal admirer or not, we can draw inspiration from a woman who wore many hats (and crowns) both literally and figuratively, with titles galore. But one thing remained true to her always - Queen Elizabeth II's deep devotion to her country and 70 years of total commitment, service and duty to her people. A mischievous smile, sense of humour, love, respect and genuine interest in people from all walks of life made her special. The same attention was given to Presidents, Kings and World Leaders as to the thousands of members of the public she encountered throughout her life. She saw 15 UK Prime Ministers serve in her name, from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, elected just three days before she died. Her passing will have an impact not just on the British and Commonwealth Nations but all around the world. Described as The Matriarch of the United Kingdom, Mother and Grandmother of the Nation. Throughout conflicts and controversies she remained steadfast, calm and neutral. A constant that has been there throughout our lives is now gone and her passing marks a generational change as she witnessed global history. The Queen has seen so many changes in her lifetime that are unique to that era. In a man's world she became a Queen. The Queen and Switzerland As news broke of her passing, tributes poured in from leaders around the world - Switzerland’s own President included. President of the Swiss Confederation since 1st January 2022, Ignazio Cassis tweeted " Deeply saddened by the passing of HM #QueenElizabeth II. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family on behalf of the Federal Council and the people of Switzerland. She will be remembered as a woman of great strength & steady leadership". He had met the Queen just recently in April 2022 on a trip to the UK and he will be attending the funeral on Monday 19th September. The Queen came to Switzerland on a state visit in 1980 with Prince Philip.  Her one and only trip was celebrated with a military parade as Her Majesty spent four days touring Switzerland, including Lausanne, Montreux, Berne and Zurich and the Red Cross in Geneva. As a mark of respect, Switzerland's flag on the parliament building in Berne, was flying half mast last Friday.   King Charles III With King Charles III, we move from the Elizabethan era to a Carolean one. As Queen Elizabeth II brought the monarchy into the modern age, this new era is one of hope and progress.  King Charles III, an early and fierce advocate for climate action has been a frequent visitor to Switzerland. He has skied in his preferred resort of Klosters in the German side of Switzerland for over 40 years. Here he is below talking about his experiences skiing in Switzerland and the tragedy that occurred where he lost a friend in an avalanche he was also caught up in. Does it change anything? For those who hold UK passports they remain valid for travel until they require renewal. This is when the wording from Her Majesty will be updated to His Majesty to reflect the new Monarch. The UK passports have already undergone a recent change to a dark blue colour from burgandy following Brexit. Stamps will change as will money, cash and coins that all hold the image of Queen Elizabeth II. New versions will be rolled out slowly and eventually the older coins and notes no longer being used. The iconic red post boxes which have the Queen's cypher EIIR will remain the same and King Charles’s chosen royal cypher will be applied to new post boxes. Services held in the La Côte region for the Queen this week Queen Elizabeth II's Christian faith provided comfort and guidance throughout her life and she was the head of the Church of England, Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. As special services of prayer are being held across the world, there is a chance to pay tribute and mark your respect here if you wish to do so. At the Temple de Gingins everyone is invited from all faiths and traditions who would like to remember Her Majesty. This Sunday 18th September 16:00, there will be a Service of Prayer conducted in English as well as a book of condolence. All this week leading up to her funeral at the Temple de Crassier , there will be a table of Remembrance with a book of condolence and an opportunity for quiet prayer. More details here . Living in Nyon’s Mandy Bronsil will be on Nyon Région Télévision further discussing the Queen's passing and the impact within the international community. Let us know your thoughts and comments too!

The completion of the EcoQuartier du Stand earlier in the year saw a stream of residents moving into the new apartments. With it, a sense of community emerging for those who live in the northern most part of town. To support and foster this new community, La Local de Quartier at Chemin des Tines 3A was opened in late August for all local residents, not only those living in the EcoQuartier apartments.La Local de Quartier Currently there is a permanent member of staff on site two times per week until mid-September and the purpose of these sessions is to get to know each other and to discuss the development, projects, activities and to answer questions. A final meeting is due to be convened later in this month (September 2022) to finalise details for the set up of the room itself and to organise the first planned activities. The local community is very much encouraged to share their ideas and projects with the town council in order that their needs can be fulfilled. Even a name for the new centre has to be found. Community Life There are already 5 other established neighbourhood centres in town which aim to encourage people to live together well, to promote diversity and foster integration. These centres have their own unique character and programme of activities. They offer a meeting place for neighbourhood associations and the population in general to meet and share in town life. Now those who live in the north part of Nyon also have a place to come together. If you have just moved to the area and want to meet your neighbours, or perhaps you have already lived here for some time but want to integrate more fully into the local community why not check out the programme of activities offered at your local de quartier?

The 35th edition of Désalpe de St-Cergue is happening tomorrow up in Saint-Cergue from 8h - 17:30h.  A lovely Swiss tradition of when the cows, that have been up in the Jura mountain pastures throughout the summer come back down the mountain in preparation for winter. A procession of cows adorned with colourful, floral headdresses and escorted by their herdsmen. It's not just cows, there will be other animals to see, food and drink stalls, Swiss bells, Alpine horns and lots of traditional customs and clothing. It is a great day out for all the family or with friends. An easier way to get up there is to hop on the little red train from Nyon or further up the line which takes you right into the middle of the village of St- Cergue. Top Tip: even if the weather is sunny and dry, avoid the flip flops as the ground does get covered in things you would rather not step in! A video below (in French) from NRTV gives you an idea of what happens on this day. See the full programme of the day here .

With all the rainy weather recently, here is an idea of a great activity to do this coming Sunday 2nd October. It's all about EATING at the Château de Prangins for Swiss Castle Day. Taking place between 10:00 and 17:00, the best part, admission is free! Read on for more information on what's happening on the day. Vegetable Market - All day  Enjoy a glass of freshly pressed apple juice and learn about lacto-fermentation. There will also be harvest from The Kitchen Garden on sale all day. The Kitchen Garden is a permanent open-air exhibition created in the 1700s to feed the workers who built the Château. It is now  devoted to preserving traditional regional plants and showcasing domestic biodiversity. La Salon du Chocolat  - 14:00-17:00 Learn all things chocolate and Swiss from the exposition What is Switzerland? . There will also be a quiz, as well as a tasting from Club des Passionnés de Chocolat de Genève. The Kitchen Garden 13:45 onwards (45 min slots) A chance for your kids to explore! Children from the age of six are welcome at the Salle du Potager and will be shown around the gardens and the museum. It is a great opportunity for parents to take a guided tour while the kids are occupied. Guided Tours Schedule (available in French and English) 11:00    Au  Potager (F) 11:00    In The Kitchen Garden (E) 14:00    Le chocolat. C'est suisse? (F) dans l'exposition La Suisse. C'est quoi? 14:30    Chocolate: Is it Swiss? (E) in the exhibition What is Switzerland? 15:00    C'est à ce prix que vous mangez du... chocolat (F) dans l'exposition Indiennes. Un tissu à la conquête du monde 15:30    That's the price of chocolate! (E) in the exhibition Chintz. How a Fabric Conquered the World 16:00    Le chocolat. C'est suisse? (F) dans l'exposition La Suisse. C'est quoi? Don't forget to pass by the Café du Château for a tasty treat or drink for a break between all the exploring. The Café also offer a Buffet Brunch on Sundays. Read our previous article on all the Château de Prangins has to offer.

If you are looking for a venue for your child's birthday, why not consider the Château de Prangins ? It has a great offering for birthday parties all year round with interesting activities available. How many people can say that they celebrated their birthday at an 18th century castle turned Swiss National Museum? They offer bespoke, specially designed activities including fairytales and animations for ages 4-16 years old. Simply choose a workshop suitable for your child's age group 4 - 6 years of age (max 10 children) 7 - 16 years of age (max 12 children) and the activity you would like them to do. Workshop (90mins) Fairytales (45 minutes) Animations for young children (60 minutes) On the actual day, your child and guests will be met by a cultural mediator who will take them through their chosen activity and answer any questions about the museum. The average price of a party is CHF180. Whilst the children are busy exploring and having fun, parents can do some exploring of their own. They can visit the exhibitions free of charge during the birthday activity (upon request, a badge is given at the reception of the museum). There is an option to have a snack break and for cutting the birthday cake (brought by you) on a table decorated by the Café du Château in a designated interior space. During the summer, the park outside the castle walls is also the perfect space for a picnic snack. If you don't feel like being on food duty for the party and prefer to just enjoy a tour of the museum, let the Café du Château team handle it. They can also provide the food for a supplement price of CHF120 (on average). You can contact them directly on +41 (0)22 363 14 66 or info@cafe-du-chateau.ch for more details. Not just for kids! Why should the kids have all the fun? Organise a guided tour of the museum or a creative workshop for you and your guests followed by an apéro or a meal at the Café du Château. The restaurant is located in the former servants' wing, on the site of the 18th-century kitchens and has a stunning panoramic terrace too. It is all simple to book. Contact the team at info.prangins@museenational.ch or +41 (0)22 994 88 90 to enquire or make a reservation for a birthday celebration (ideally a month in advance). Read more about what's on this Sunday at the Château de Prangins here .

A big thank you to Alex Taylor for writing up a match report for the recent game on 15th October 2022 between FC Stade Nyonnais vs FC Rapperswil-Jona. The game was held at Colovray Sports Centre.  Poor defending, lacklustre countering and a lack of momentum saw Nyon suffer a monumental loss to Swiss-German side Rapperswil-Jona. Final Score FC Stade Nyonnais 0-4 FC Rapperswil-Jona. It was a solid start from Nyon, with some decent forward movement in the first half however an early goal from Jona midfielder Rijad Saliji in the 15th minute knocked a lot of that early confidence out of them. Despite this, Nyon still pushed on with some decent chances in the first half, and for a while they did actually look the better team. It wouldn’t be long before Jona got their second goal with an emphatic strike outside the 18-yard box by Dimitri Volkart. The score at half-time was 2-0.

A big thank you to Alex Taylor for writing up a match report for the recent game on 1st October 2022 between FC Stade Nyonnais vs FC Chiasso. The game was held at Colovray Sports Centre.  Goals from Christian Gomis and Quentin Gaillard ensured a safe 2-1 victory as Nyon go joint top in the Promotion League. The boys started off strong with a brand of tight, attacking football that wouldn’t look out of place in a Premier League stadium. An 18th minute screamer from Christian Gomis got them going. However, the 1-0 lead would be short-lived; a goal from Chiasso midfielder Daniel Bezziccheri ensured the boys would go into half-time level-pegging. The second half started off slower, with Nyon struggling to break through Chiasso’s back line as easily. Djoumi Moussa, who shows a lot of promise on the wing, was replaced by Kassim Hadji in the 65th minute and this is when the play really started to pick up. A late strike by Quentin Gaillard in the 83rd minute guaranteed another win for Nyon. They’re now top of the Promotion League table alongside local rivals Étoile Carouge. Both teams have 22 points. It was a particularly heated match, with the away manager, Andrea Vitale, getting sent off just before the final whistle for abusing the linesman. The linesman wasn’t the only person Vitale had a problem with - at one point he even had something to say to a Nyon supporter! Speaking of supporters, away side Chiasso brought just a single fan! He’d made the five-hour journey by train to watch his team lose 2-1, that’s some dedication. Overall, it was a pretty even match, Chiasso put up a strong fight, but Nyon managed to outsmart them with a brand of fast-paced, counter-attacking football. After the match, midfielder Quentin Fouley came to have a word with the Nyon supporters. It gave the impression that the club really respects its fans, something which should be admired in football teams, particularly at this level. All in all it was a great day despite the weather, and the boys played excellently. Final score FC Stade Nyonnais 2-1 FC Chiasso. After this win, FC Stade Nyonnais lost to FC Luzern II 3-1 last week (8th October 2022). FC Stade Nyonnais are playing Rapperswil this Saturday 15th October 2022 17:00 at home at Colovray Sports Centre. They are currently 3rd in the league with 22 points.

Looking to change up your toy and games collection? Organised by the Ludothèque de Nyon, mark the date in your calendars for Saturday 29th October 2022. 11:00 to 15:00 Salle de la Colombière - Rue de la Colombiere 18, 1260 Nyon Choose from bikes, strollers, outdoor games, books, puzzles and much more. If you would also like to sell your own toys and games, you can! Clear out those cupboards and shelves and give your old toys a new lease of life (max 30 items). Just bring them to the Salle de la Colombière the same day between 08:00 and 10:00. For more information click here or contact the Ludothèque at info@ludonyon.ch. Read more about the toy library in our previous article .

This Sunday 30th October, celebrate Halloween at the Château de Prangins . It's time to p ut on your scariest Halloween costume and join them for some tales, true and not so true, and of course - candy! Between 14:00 and 17:00. Adults 10CHF and free admission for children up to the age of 16.  What's On 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 - Mais c’est monstrueux! A tale by Sylvie Nickbarte (age 4 years up) Every 30 mins (adults) - Guided tours of the history of witches in Switzerland Pumpkin Workshops every 30 mins (age 4 years up) Visits to poisonous plants in the vegetable garden (every 30 mins) During the history of witches tour, children can do activities in the Salle du Potager. All day activities Balloon Sculpture Activity (all ages) Special Halloween stand at the Café du Château. Just a note that the program is in French but plenty of the tour guides do speak English.   History of Witches in Switzerland It is estimated that around 10,000 people fell victim to the witch hunts in Switzerland. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the phenomenon of the witch hunt mainly affected all of present-day Europe particularly Switzerland. In its history of witch hunts, Switzerland holds a special position since the duration of repression is the longest and  holds the record for indictments for this crime in proportion to its population. Swiss repression stretches from around 1420 to 1782, when the last so-called European witch was executed. With a population estimated at less than a million inhabitants around 1600, Switzerland killed up to twice as many witches and wizards as Germany, depending on its regions, ten times more than France and a hundred times more than Italy. The repression was particularly severe in the Pays de Vaud estimated where nearly 3,000 trials were heard and more than 2,000 people were executed. Anna Göldi, Glarus At the last witch trial in Western Europe, Anna, a single woman in her forties was executed in Glarus on 13th June 1782. Rehabilitated in 2008 and officially recognized as a victim, a museum in her name has been established. She is generally accepted as the last victim of the witch hunts in Switzerland and Western Europe. You can read more here from an article from the blog of the National Museum in Zurich. Michée Chauderon in Geneva Born in the village of Boège in Savoie ((Escalade Genevoise) around 1602, she lived in an idyllic natural environment and learnt the secrets of plants. At 20, she left for Geneva and was hired as a servant.  Accused of witchcraft she is thrown into prison, followed by her trial and execution. The last woman to be executed in Geneva, on April 6, 1652. Since 1997, there is a street with her name in Geneva - Chemin Michée-Chauderon. Discover much more on the Guided tours of the history of witches in Switzerland at the Château. Read more about the Château de Prangins here and we wish you a very spooky day out! Read more about the Château de Prangins and their birthday party offers here .