Photo by Leeloo Your Insurance Check-Up and Why November Matters As the days grow colder and the year winds down, it’s time for your friendly reminder: November is Switzerland's insurance review month. Whether you’re chasing better deals or adjusting your coverage, now is the time to act. In previous articles, we’ve shared tips on how to simplify your insurance journey and also a guide on basic insurance to maximizing your 3rd pillar pension plan.  Now, with the help of our good friends at Generali, we’re diving into more ways to keep your premiums in check and safeguard your peace of mind. Remember, advisors like Cheyen Caron  are ready to guide you , ensuring you find the best options tailored to your needs. Car Insurance: Time to Put the Brakes on Premium Hikes If your car insurer is raising premiums for 2025 (as several have announced), you have the legal right to cancel your policy within 30 days of receiving the notice. It’s the perfect opportunity to shop around and potentially secure a better deal—one that leaves you with more funds for fun road trips instead of insurance bills! Health Insurance: Don’t Let Savings Pass You By Life gets busy, and it’s easy to let your health insurance auto-renew without a second thought. But with LaMal (basic health insurance) premiums rising, here’s your reminder to check your mail and consider shopping for a better deal. Did you know? All basic health insurance offers identical coverage, no matter the provider. The difference is in the price! Here’s how you can take advantage: Compare offers from other insurers to find savings. Explore alternative coverage models tailored to your needs at a lower cost. With the November 30th deadline for 2025 approaching, take a moment to review your options—it’s your chance to make your insurance work harder for you. Bundle Up Your Policies and Save Why have your car, home, and health policies scattered across different insurers when you could score discounts by bundling them? Many companies offer combination reductions when you consolidate your policies under one roof. It’s a simple way to streamline your coverage while saving money. Ask your advisor for a comparative quote—you might be pleasantly surprised! Photo by maitree rimthong Mind the Gaps in Retirement and Disability Coverage Retirement planning isn’t just about having enough to sip cocktails on a beach someday—it’s also about making sure your family is protected if the unexpected happens. A 3rd pillar policy can help supplement your income in retirement and cover long-term disability or death. Many families don’t realize the gaps in their coverage until it’s too late. So, take a moment to consult with a specialist and ensure you’re prepared for whatever life throws your way. Legal Protection Insurance: Your Affordable Safety Net Let’s face it: legal issues can be expensive (an average of CHF 500+ hourly lawyer fees!). Legal protection insurance ensures you’re covered for court and attorney fees while giving you access to legal advice when you need it. From landlord disputes to workplace disagreements or issues with neighbors, this coverage has your back. And here’s the best part: Generali is offering 25% off your first-year premium if you’re already a client, or CHF 50 off for new clients ! It’s an easy way to protect yourself from the unexpected—without breaking the bank. By combining these strategies with Generali’s expert advice, you can simplify your insurance and ensure it works smarter for you. Ready to get started? Contact Cheyen Caron and the team today for personalized guidance—it’s never been easier to make confident choices for your future. @Generali Cheyen Caron Direct Line : +41 76 357 49 07 General Line:  0800 881 882 Email :  cheyen.caron@generali.com

@swissgardeningschool If you’re passionate about plants or simply enjoy the magic of transforming spaces with greenery, Hester Macdonald is a name to know. As a garden designer, writer, journalist, and founder of the Swiss Gardening School, Hester has dedicated her career to inspiring gardeners of all levels. Based in Nyon, her school offers short, hands-on courses perfect for amateurs eager to dig in. Discover more about her work at hmgardendesign.com and swissgardeningschool.ch . With December just around the corner, now is the perfect time to embrace the joy of crafting and gardening with these festive workshops. Upcoming Workshops at the Swiss Gardening School Home Made Gifts from the Garden Date: November 26, 2024 Time: 19:30 – 21:30 Location: Nyon Details: Learn how to craft sustainable, seasonal gifts like plantable tags, table decorations, and labels, all inspired by the beauty of your garden. Christmas Wreath Workshops Dates: Starting December 3, 2024 Location: Nyon Details: Step away from the holiday hustle and create your own stunning Christmas wreath in a cozy, creative atmosphere. Whether for your door or as a centerpiece, this hands-on workshop will leave you with a beautiful keepsake. These workshops offer the perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with nature, and craft something truly meaningful. Gift Ideas and More For thoughtful presents or end-of-year teacher gifts, the Swiss Gardening School’s Gift Vouchers are a wonderful choice. @bern.ch A Festive Detour: Bern’s Famous Zibelemärit Looking for a unique way to kick off the holiday season? Don’t miss Bern’s extraordinary Zibelemärit (Onion Market) on November 25 . Starting bright and early at 6:00 AM , this world-renowned event celebrates all things onion with beautifully braided creations, delicious onion-infused treats like breads and chutneys, and even quirky onion-themed souvenirs. Pro tip: Arrive early and use public transport to enjoy the market without the crowds. The Zibelemärit is a true Swiss tradition and a delightful warm-up to the Advent season! Hester Macdonald Looking Ahead In the new year, Hester will bring even more gardening inspiration with articles on: Balcony gardening — whether you prefer edible or decorative plants Seasonal planting tips to match every climate Small indoor plants perfect for brightening up apartments No matter your space or style, Hester’s expert advice will help you make the most of your green thumb. Let your creativity bloom this season! Visit swissgardeningschool.ch for course details and bookings.

Many homeowners who have been thinking about selling are tempted to put their house on the market and benefit from this buyers boom. Here are some tips on how to do it best. Many thanks to Harriet Kibbe. Every month she provides us with the ins and outs of the complex Nyon Real Estate scene! Real estate prices have increased significantly, and are expected to climb a little further as the effects of the health crisis on the swiss economy seem to have been delayed. The consequences of overestimating the value of your house, however, can have disastrous consequences on the final sale price, so get an honest valuation (or two) of your property so you don’t end up selling low! How can you ensure that you sell well in this market, or in any market? Declutter I would say that 70% of buyers I show properties to are not visually creative, they can’t just walk into any house and see themselves living there. The place needs to feel as neutral as possible. Refurbish This is not as important as some people think. Don’t spend money on redoing bathrooms and kitchens, as buyers will be happy to redo them the way they want. Prepare If you invest in anything in order to sell well, invest time in getting quotes for changing the infrastructure of the house: mazout, radiators, old electric cabling, poor insulation, windows, etc. These are issues that delay the decision-making process unnecessarily for the vast majority of buyers. Quality Good quality finishings do make a difference, even if the doors are dirty and the paint is coming off, a good solid door can be kept, aluminium window frames are long lasting, as well as wood flooring. Luxurious finishings are a no-no, however, and high-quality appliances are a nice to have but will not impact the price of the house, another reason why not to invest in redoing the kitchen just before selling… Harriet has lived in the Geneva-Nyon area on and off since 1988, growing up as part of the transient international community. Having moved several times she has always offered her help to newcomers and people from the international community to assist in their integration and understanding of the region. Access Harriet’s previous Living in Nyon articles here .

Developing resilience in children and the "error management" development of a child's brain. Any other parents as curious about this as I am?  A Lausanne based " CHUV " study launched in 2014, dived into the benefits specifically of the Montessori pedagogy on children's neural networks and on their ability to manage unforeseen situations. We learned about the Montessori approach in an earlier article this year in collaboration with the Deux Mille Feuilles , the trilingual Montessori school in the heart of nature in La Rippe. What is the influence of the school experience on brain development? A recent RTS article highlights the CHUV study. The research measured students' brain activity and found that executive functions - such as the ability to conduct and complete a task - do not vary drastically between students from traditional or Montessori schools. It does however impact other areas, specifically neural networks called "error management". This part of the brain develops an adequate response to unforeseen circumstances. The results show that students from Montessori structures have better abilities to deal with unexpected situations.  The researcher found students in traditional schools will instead connect their brains in order to memorize the correct answer, whereas the Montessori method favours learning from mistakes, until arriving at a correct answer. Traditional approaches are focused on grades and "correct" answers favouring learning your lessons by heart, without necessarily activating the neural networks linked to questions and the search for solutions. The Montessori Method encourages the learning process, rather than the response. It's about the path to success rather than the outcome, thereby proceeding step by step to solve the problem. Public institutions are attentive to this information and are adapting teaching and learning styles too. The study carried out by Solange Denervaud received the Biaggi de Blasys Prize on May 7, which rewards the best thesis in neuroscience defended at the Universities of Geneva, Lausanne and EPFL. If you want more information on Deux Mille Feuilles in la Rippe, you can find the contact information for the Director, Cornelia Tosch here.

Our very own coworking Atelier 9 in Nyon was awarded the "Swiss Location Award®" in June!  This award is attributed to the "best and most beautiful" meeting and event locations in Switzerland. This yearly award is an initiative of eventlokale.ch , an event planning portal based in Zurich. It was developed as a way of providing a range of locations, that upheld a high level of quality. This allows them to provide information on sites, all over Switzerland (as well as Germany and Austria) that you are sure replies to your standards. There are 11 award categories, Atelier 9 was in the meeting locations categories, defined as the best and most beautiful meeting rooms in Switzerland. Throughout the month of May, the nominated locations are quietly evaluated by the organisers according to various criteria. Roland Schaller, Atelier 9 's Managing director said: "We found out we had been nominated in Arpil, and on the 15th of June we received the good news that we were one of the winners of the award, which was wonderful news!" But how are the locations evaluated? It's actually a three-pronged approach. 1/3 of the points are determined by the location visitors, the expert jury makes a technical assessment that accounts for another1/3. The final 1/3 is determined by the evaluation of the creators of the award: eventlokale.ch. Three other locations in Vaud were attributed the award in various categories. These are the La Vaudoise aréna in Prilly, the SwissTech Convention Center in Ecublens and the "2m2c" in Montreux. According to the participants that are frequently nominated and evaluated every year, they have noted that the criteria and the organisations keep getting more and more professional and visibly evolves over time. They are therefore also encouraged to keep improving and growing too. Atelier 9 definitely plays its part in this way too, with constant forward-thinking towards their clients and growing, even in times of pandemic. Our last article on Atelier 9, covered the new locations they opened with private offices, not only to cater to the stricter hygiene norms and regulations. It was also the result of a demand for this type of space that had been growing steadily over time. The coworking space is now once again mask free thanks to the new government regulations too, providing some relief to the open space. Go in and have a look, ask Roland or Jean-Marc to be shown around and get to know the coworking space conveniently located to Ex-Machina! Stay tuned for more news from Atelier 9 after the summer, they've been busy again...!

The butterfly greenhouse is open for visits between the 15th of July and the 15th of September at the Schilliger Garden Centre in Gland.  There is something magical about butterflies, they transform from cocoons to beautiful butterflies, and punctuate nature with grace, elegance and vivid splashes of colour! You can step into their world in the setting of the flower market where a tropical space has been carefully elaborated to host them.  Dozens of species fly free in an environment that respects their natural habitat in this free exhibition for the whole family. At the entrance, you first encounter a nocturnal garden, a land of sweet dreams with ethereal charm. Magical figurines are staged in a play of lights and colours. Back in the open, you will have the opportunity to learn more about this famous insect, including through a quiz. Admire the rare species and host plants Indian monarch, Owl butterfly, Large glider, Blue tiger, Morpho blue windlass are among the exotic specimens that you can admire and approach thanks to the many feeding points installed in the greenhouse (cups of fruit juice, nectar and honey flowers). The "host" plants and flowers best suited to each species of butterfly have been selected and planted one by one to come as close as possible to the actual living conditions of these species. During your visit, you will also be able to discover an incubation greenhouse where the mysterious process of pupae hatching takes place. The origin of the butterflies The butterflies presented all come from Oxfly breeding, an English specialist recognized worldwide for its action in favour of the reproduction and protection of butterflies. The pupae come from multigenerational breeding, carried out on Oxfly's various breeding farms in Thailand, Costa Rica and the Philippines. No collection from the wild and no commercialization of endangered butterfly species is carried out. Schilliger is active in the protection of the natural environment, the company is also committed to local populations, in Costa Rica for example, where it supports the culture of the Kasiri Indians, in partnership with the Nairi Foundation. Personally, my family and I loved the visit, and I even made a friend that kept me company for most of our stay in the greenhouse! The Butterfly greenhouse opens from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:30 and on Saturdays from 09:00 to 18:00. It's closed on Sundays. Have you read about the background of Schilliger yet from one of our previous articles? You can find it here .

Wellness is a hot topic, and what better time to think about it than as the relaxing summer is upon us? Here is a list of local English speaking businesses in the area that cater to a variety of topics in this sector! Karin Zurbrügg Vibrations "Love more of what you are" Does the energy feel strange in your office or home? Do you get affected by people's energy? Suffer from anxiety or insomnia? Soundbaths, Vibrational Healing Packs, and Shamanic Coaching for you to come home to your soul, feel at ease in your body and mind. Watch this video to get an idea of my work Karin is a trained Medicine Woman, Sound and Energy Therapist. Her passion is to guide women back to their innate worth, power, joy and love, with transformational coaching and shamanic trauma release. All of her services are available either in presence or online. You can find more information on Karin's Instagram or Facebook accounts or on her website  Johdi Woodford - Johdi Woodford Therapeutics Johdi is the Restorative Health Expert who helps 40+ women get rid of the chronic pain in their bodies so that they can move with freedom and confidence again. She helps her clients revamp their eating habits so that they can ditch the brain fog and the belly fat. And she shows her clients how to rewire their mindset for serenity and self-assurance so they can stop feeling like a total lost cause! For more information on how Johdi can transform you from, unfit, unhappy and hopeless, into your sleekest, strongest, most confident self visit her website where you’ll find great resources to get your abs back, or a nifty movement sequence that will lift your spirits even if times are tough. Yogamelia – Yoga for Motherhood & Life “There is enough time for self-care, but not enough time to make up for the life you’ll miss by not filling yourself up.” As yoga teacher and mum herself, Verena empowers (m)others through yoga to take charge of their well-being and find more calm, confidence & ease in motherhood and life. She offers yoga at times that are more accessible for busy mums and mums-to-be, including a late evening class when kids are asleep and Mini Retreats on Sunday afternoons. For more information visit her website , follow her on Instagram or reach out via email: hello@yogamelia.com Maria MurphyEnergy healing "As a child, I was able to acutely feel positive and negative energies when entering a room or meeting someone for the first time. As I grew older, my curiosity to better understand why that was, brought me to study energy healing. As healers we facilitate and awaken your body’s own ability to heal itself, treating your body holistically by balancing, cleaning and nurturing your system." Individual and group energy healing sessions (In-person and online), as well as house (or any other space) cleaning and clearing. You can make an appointment or get more information from Maria over email: mjmhealing@gmail.com Have you also seen the overview of local photographers for all types of occasions? If there is a topic you would like to see an overview of local professionals on, please do get in touch with me at info@livinginnyon.com.

New Atelier 9 meeting room – Copyright ATELIER 9 ATELIER 9 has a new formal, high-tech meeting room on offer! Looking for a space to hold a meeting or host a discussion? Alongside the co-working space at ATELIER 9 there is now a brand new meeting room available to rent. Atelier 9 is offering a more formal style of meeting room close to the co-working space on Rue du Vieux Marché 10 , at the offices of lawyer Andrea Rusca. The fully equipped room has a capacity for ten people. Replacing the old flip chart with a new high-tech screen, the room is perfect for presentations and more creative activities. The meeting room boasts views over the town and the lake, letting in plenty of natural light and with it, the space for lots of productive ideas and discussions! A view over the rooftops and lake They still have their own original meeting room that can be rented out for short or long periods during the day in their trademark Atelier 9 style. This room offers a more vibrant and laid back vibe and also has a capacity for ten people. Are you looking for office space? There are two available for October 1st at their prime new location on Place du Chateâu, 7. Read our previous article with more information here. You can get in touch with ATELIER 9 to enquire after the rooms, or any of their other services on 022 565 3355 or simply pass by for a spontaneous visit when you are next in the area. Happy (co)working!

Real estate markets are heavily dependent on the cost of construction. COVID 19 has created many logistical challenges and we are seeing the effects on the housing market. Many thanks to Harriet Kibbe. Every month she provides us with current developments of the local Nyon Real Estate in real-time! If you are among the many people wanting to buy your own house, you may be wondering how you can possibly get your hands on the right one before anyone else does. Unfortunately, the situation now is a lot tougher than it was. The lack of supply means that prices for existing properties have continued to increase since March 2020. Buyers are having to use creative solutions to find more funds from their own pockets as the banks are unwilling to follow the price hike. There is little available on the open market and due to the increased costs of wood and steel in springtime, construction costs for new builds have spiked. The logistical challenges that we are experiencing worldwide have affected many industries. Some of those who have bought properties off-plan have faced several months of delays in construction and unexpected additional costs. Recently the price of wood has now returned to a record low , and although the price of steel has increased, it remains a manageable increase . The price of aluminium has also increased by over 30% since January 2021 and PVC over 115% . Factors that may be causing these increases could be the extraction or production of resources. Or indeed, issues with the supply chain due to the pandemic halting workers, as well as other coincidental issues affecting production. The main culprit though actually appears to be the long delays in shipping and hopefully going forward will smooth themselves out and prices will be corrected in the coming 12 months. So to leave you on a positive note, after an understandable downward turn, for those of you who are intent on building your own little nest, things are looking up! Now all you need to find is that perfect piece of land... Harriet has lived in the Geneva-Nyon area on and off since 1988, growing up as part of the transient international community. Having moved several times she has always offered her help to newcomers and people from the international community to assist in their integration and understanding of the region. Access Harriet’s previous Living in Nyon article on mortgages here .

Nutrition plays an essential role in our physical and mental well-being. La Lignière has a wide variety of dietitians to support us according to our specific nutritional requirements. There are many benefits from following a healthy diet; the reduced risk of chronic illness, better sleep and memory, as well as improved mental well-being. As a medical entity, La Lignière has implemented a three-step process to help us become healthier (and happier)! Here they are: 1. Evaluate What are your current habits, and what would you like to achieve? 2. Support The relevant doctors will give you the tools necessary to reach your nutrition goals. This is done by suggesting targeted nutrition, exercise and daily habits. 3. Follow-up The program is adapted when necessary and any changes are monitored to keep you on track and motivated throughout the process. Four dietitians work at La Lignière who all speak both French and English with some German and Italian too. They specialise in the areas listed below. Consultations can also be reimbursed with a medical prescription. Cardiovascular disease and hypertension Diabetes Type 1&2 Vegetarian diets Sports nutrition Food Allergies Children's nutrition Malnutrition Parkinson's disease Geriatric nutrition Dysbiosis There are things we can already do to be more conscious of our current dietary habits. Here are some tips to get you started. Increase your daily intake of vegetables, ideally 5 units. Drink plenty of water. Aim to drink between 6 and 8 glasses a day. Limit alcohol consumption to maximum 1-2 units a day. Opt for smaller quantities. Enjoy the food you are eating and be mindful of the different tastes, smells, textures and colours. Prioritise breakfast. Make an appointment with any of the specialists by email at planification @la-ligniere.ch (you can write in English for information) or by phone on 022 999 80 41 (please note that not all receptionists speak English). Read our recent article on Dr. Samy Benchouk here , La Lignière's sports doctor. Here is the list of reimbursed consultations upon medical prescription: Metabolic disorders: Diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension Adult obesity (BMI = 30) with associated conditions Obesity in children and adolescents Cardiovascular disease Diseases of the digestive tract Kidney disease Food allergies or allergic reactions due to food. Malnutrition

Schilliger Garden Centre is celebrating all things Autumn with their historic family tradition of the Pumpkin Festival returning to their Autumn Market Saturday 23rd October. The Autumn Market will be showcasing a variety of regional crafts and products to try and buy from local artisans. You can view the full list of those present by clicking on the link. The autumn markets are held in Schilliger stores in Gland and Matran. Come meet these talented people and taste some of their wonderful products on offer, from honey and chocolate to coffee and gin. A great opportunity to pick up some goodies for yourself or gifts for friends and family! The annual pumpkin festival is also being held on Saturday in Gland, Mataran and Plan-Les-Ouates, and will have lots of prizes and activities for young and old! Earlier this year in May the seeds were distributed and now the time has come to see how well they have grown! There will also be a free workshop for children where they will learn to hollow out and carve their own pumpkin under the guide of a helper. They can take their work home just in time to add to the Halloween decorations! This historic festival has been a tradition for the Schilliger family. The vegetable is a central element to the season in our region. Their passion and know-how in this area are some of the elements that they share with us all with the celebrations that come with it! For those participating, bring your pumpkins directly to the flower market at the Garden Centre between 18 - 22 October. The weighing, results and awards ceremony will be held on Saturday 23 October 2021 and the winners announced at 15:00 in all three Schilliger stores . There are some great prizes to be won: 1st place: CHF500. 2nd place: CHF200. 3rd to 5th places: CHF100. Special prize for "The most original squash": With the value of CHF150. Follow this link to download the competition rules (in French).   During your tour, you can have a break at charming Café Agnes , before resuming explorations of the market and garden centre! Follow them on Instagram or Facebook to keep up to date with all the events they organise. Do you know the story behind the iconic garden centre yet? You can read about it here from our previous article.

Christmas cheer is slowly but very surely filling the air! It's certainly the case when you enter the atelier of Miss Daisy Fresh Dutch Flowers. They are holding their “Noël à la Gare” pop-up fair at the old train station of Céligny, on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th of November from 10:00-19:00. Miss Daisy is a beautiful flower shop located at the old train station in Céligny run by Rose Mensing and Yvette Donkervoort who are both Dutch. Every year, they transform their atelier in a Winter Wonderland where the magic of Christmas is felt the moment you step into the shop. If you are looking for some great gifts for your friends and family or would like to order your floral Christmas decorations, head for Céligny! They provide a flower pick-up and event service, plus they organise workshops throughout the year. Their Christmas workshops especially, are known to be a true joy. You will find the dates on their website , but you can also book workshops by contacting Roos and Yvette directly if you already have a group of 5 people minimum. Simply contact Rose or Yvette to find a date that suits your group. Learn more about Miss Daisy and their story from our previous Living in Nyon article here