The Fête des Vignerons (the Winegrowers' festival) in Vevey began on the 18th July and runs until the 11th August 2019. They say most people only get to see two Fête des Vignerons in their lifetime as they only take place five times in a century. So now is your chance. The last Fête was 20 years ago! It's a massive event and an enormous stadium has been built in the town (and even over some of the lake) for the daily musical extravaganzas. Living in Nyon went along on Sunday 21st July, see our photo essay below and in the next post. More info about this event, tickets etc on the website (English version here) The train journey to Vevey from Nyon takes between 46 and 51 minutes. There are still some tickets left for performances, however if you just want to absorb some of the atmosphere and see what it's all about, there are plenty of food stalls and wine bars along the lake side and in the old town.

Living in Nyon is taking a short break and will return on the 22nd July. Meanwhile the Living in Nyon Friday column (in English) continues in La Côte newspaper. The column this Friday (12th July) talks about old Nyon and refers to the photo below. This is of the car park in Place Perdtemps (as it was over a 100 years ago). It was the main square where farmers used to meet and (we assume to buy and sell cattle). Did they have to herd their carts and cows round and round until they found a parking space back then?...

Gourmet Hike, Cooling of in Yvoire, Julius Caesar has left town, Rive Jazzy starts this weekend There will be a  Guided Gourmet Hike  on the 6th July (departure from the car park of La Givrine) from 08:00 -14:00.  A guide will lead you to a dairy in a mountain pasture, you will also get to see the beauty of the Jura and taste a raclette cooked on a wood fire. Reservations required - call Nyon Tourism - 022 365 6600 or email info@nrt.ch As the hot weather continues, why not take a CGN boat from Nyon to Yvoire one evening to cool off a little as you sail on the lake? The last boat leaves Yvoire at *22:13 at this time of year, so it's possible to pop over just for an ice cream after work! *Check the timetable on the CGN website. See our two videos below. The Julius Caesar statue has been temporarily removed from outside the Roman Museum. It was recently lifted away by helicopter and is currently being repaired. A reminder that Rive Jazzy starts this weekend in Nyon. More details in previous article here.

If are looking for a good way to cool off and get away from the hot temperatures, La Dôle could be the perfect destination if you are willing to get up early and don't mind a walk. One Living in Nyon reader did just that on Saturday morning. Here's his advice. "I jumped on the first NStCM-TPN train of the morning to head up into the Jura. It leaves Nyon at 05:52. It's a bit early, but in the current heatwave it's pleasingly cool at that time of day and you are rewarded with views of the sun coming up as the train heads towards Trélex. I got out at the stop at La Givrine which was a cool 16 degrees at 06:40. The route to La Dôle is well marked by signposts and a steady pace had me there by 08.15. Quite a few others had had the same idea. As ever, the views are spectacular and always seem more awe inspiring so early in the morning. Heading back down, a deer and her fawn crossed my path just off the summit. I headed past La Barillette and was back down in St Cergue by 10.45 (though there is a shorter more direct route). If you can't make the early morning train, there is an alternative. This is to take the train to St Cergue, and walk down to Genolier or Givrins. It's a nice walk through the forest which is shady and cool, and also has nice views down onto the plain and lake. The route sets off directly from the station. It's not so well marked initially - walk alongside the rail line (the right hand side as you walk down) and the path will become apparent once you enter the forest. For the first half kilometre or so, it hugs the railway (at one point you have to navigate a tree (marked for cutting) that seems to block the way. After that it's well marked. At a certain point you can then decide whether to walk to Genolier or Givrins (the latter is slightly longer, but in shade almost all the way). Whichever village you end up in, the train can then take you back to Nyon in comfort. All the train times are on the CFF website in English and there is a ticket machine at the actual platform for St Cergue - go through the underpass at Nyon station and you will find the steps to the platform on the right hand side. This is opposite La Roulotte - an old railway carriage, a good place to have a late breakfast or a beer on your return!" Photo above - La Roulotte

The line up of Paléo was revealed back in April and the timetable was released this week. Music fans can now plan their afternoons/ evenings in advance (the gates open at 15:30 each day) Paléo also has a g reat mobile App with all the info needed on the festival. Not got tickets? The official Paléo Ticket Market allows you to buy and sell tickets at a fair and fixed price and is open until Sunday 14 July 2019.

8 museums you can enter for just 12 francs.  Compiled by Olivia Higgs (read more about Olivia here ) For tourists and locals, the Nyon Region Museum Pass offers you the opportunity to discover the modest sum of CHF 12. The eight museums are: The Châteaux of  Nyon ,   Coppet and Prangins , the Lake Geneva Museum , the Roman Museum of Nyon , the Museum of Old Coppet , the French Museum of Agricultural Machinery - Moulin de Chiblins , the House of Basketball (FIBA, Mies). The pass is valid for one year. Free for children up to 16 years old. On sale in Nyon, Coppet, Rolle and St-Cergue tourist offices as well as participating museums. To learn more, click here Olivia says "Château de Nyon is a very nice place to go with the family for an afternoon outing, with a great view of the lake and parts of Nyon.  You learn about the history of Nyon and of the castle." She also adds "This seems like a great deal for families who are visiting or live nearby".

Nyon now has a Platform 4, but it's not a platform where you can actually take a train. It's the name of a new public area directly opposite the the railway station. "Voie 4" was inaugurated on Wednesday night. It's a meeting place for the public, to sit and chat and have a drink from the nearby bars and cafés. There were 5 suggested names for this new area which were put to a public vote. Voie 4 was the winner. Members of the public were also given the chance to added some of their own decorations to this new area. Many years ago, the Nyon - St Cergue train used to run on tracks right on this very spot and came to a halt in the town. This was before the train was then redirected underground. Video below - Nyon TV with a short report about the new Voie 4.

Getting the party started in Rolle. Purcell and Hoagy Carmichael in Arzier. The town of Rolle is celebrating its 700th anniversary.  Yes, that's right, the town dates back to 1319!  There are lots of events going on in the town this year over seven months (from April to October) under the slogan, "7 centuries, 7 arts". This Saturday 29 June is a big day day for the town, the Grande-Rue (the main central road) will be closed to traffic and all the local shops and businesses will be putting on activities, there will be music, food stands, a brocante at no 71 and much more. There will also be a "petit-train" to take visitors to and from the car parks at the different ends of the town. Note, the railway station is a short walk (down hill) from the Grande-Rue and Rolle is a 9 minute train ride from Nyon. Events begin from 11:00 onwards. See Facebook page here or official site here A Capella Concert Up in the village of Arzier also on Saturday 29th at 19:00 there will be a *free A Capella Concert by the St Martin's Singers (a visiting English choir) at the Centre Communal and School in Arzier.  They will be performing everything from Purcell to Poulenc to the Beatles and Hoagy Carmichael. *collection at the exit

Guided Tour and Tourist Info for the Summer Nyon Tourism offers a selection of guided tours throughout the year for visitors and residents to learn about the town's 2000 year history! The next tour will take place at 11:00 on Friday June 28th. Meet in front of the castle. Call - 022 365 66 00 or email info@nrt.ch to reserve a place on the tour. The tour guides speak a variety of languages including English. Also, during the summer months, Nyon tourism runs a temporary information stand by the lakeside (look out for the blue portakabin next to the ferry embarkation point). Staff are on hand to answer your questions about the area and have plenty of leaflets and flyers to help you discover more of this wonderful region. Opening times of the info stand in the photo below. Photo above taken on Tuesday morning below the castle.

Learn French by the lake in Nyon with a Coffee and a Croissant Starting on the 1st July, the teachers at l’Ecole-club Migros will be taking the classroom outside into the fresh air and by the lake! Morning French and German lessons will be given on the terraces of O’Les Terrasses du Lac , Rue de Rive 13 in Nyon. This is very near the ferry embarkation point. 16 Beginners (German), and 16 (Beginners and A1 level) French classes will run from 09:00 -10:40 from the 1st until the 24th July.  A1 level i s classified here  - link Full details - link here (note - the courses are written on this link as taking place at the Migros school itself - but they will actually take place by the lake). To reserve classes call - Tél. +41 58 568 80 60 or pop in to Ecole-club Migros Nyon, Chemin de Crève-Coeur 1, 1260 Nyon for more details. Video below - Learn French and watch the boats nearby at the same time!

Olivia Higgs is a 16 year old British student who moved to Nyon in 2017 from Britain. She's currently working with Living in Nyon for a week learning the ropes on publishing. She explains what it was like moving to the town and how she found settling into Swiss life. The biggest change of my life "Moving to Nyon was probably one of the most life changing events to happen to me, especially at 14. Now, two years on, I can tell you what the transition from Birmingham, UK to Nyon was like. It was a very rushed move here to live with my dad and so it was hard for me to settle in so quick. There were many things that I struggled with when moving over, the main problem being French which I still struggle with now but not as much. Restarting everything The day after arriving, I already had a meeting with the head teacher of a new school, had a doctor’s appointment and had to get everything ready. By the following Monday, I was at school and I knew that this was permanent. I attend an international school in Geneva and so students joining and leaving wasn’t a surprise to anyone, but for someone in my situation who’s been raised in England and attended schools where it’s not as common for students to leave, it was hard for me not to be affected by people who kept moving on from country to country, especially if it was someone I had started a good friendship with. Building a social life and having to exercise Meeting new people wasn’t that hard because my school is small and has just over 200 students from Reception to Year 13.  Meeting people outside of school was where I struggled. Luckily, in Nyon there are many clubs you can join to interact with new people and make new friendships, this also helps you to get to know the area better. When I had my first doctor’s appointment for a general check up, I was asked if I do any sports or activities at all and I denied that I did. My doctor then suggested that it was important that I do sport and get a healthy amount of working out done in the week. Personally, I found exercise hard because I’ve never really been a sporty type, though I love to dance, so having to join a club or group to move around and exercise wasn’t going to be fun for me. Eventually, I joined a kickboxing club for around three months which I didn’t really enjoy, but later I joined a dance group where I ended up making new friends and I loved it. Over time I've made a lot of friends who take part in sports such as rugby, basketball, tennis and football. Basketball players brought over from USA to Nyon Many of my friends play basketball, so I attend a lot of their tournaments, although I still don’t understand the game very well! I was lucky enough recently, to attend a 3v3 basketball tournament organised by FIBA in Mies. There were a total of 207 teams that had ex-pro basketball players and some ex-semi pro. I was amazed to find out that the Nyon basketball team, BBC , had brought in players from America which showed me that they were very respected. To see them in action, watch the video below. The night life of a teenager in Nyon When night time starts to arrive, you see the teenagers slowly emerge from the darkness of their bedrooms and out with friends. Although Nyon is small, there's still a few things to do. Many friends of mine who like to go out in Nyon, enjoy going to bars such as Les Brasseurs . As teenagers hit 16, the more they go to the bars, not necessarily because it's the legal age to drink, but because that's where everyone is and it's an easy place to meet. Other places to be with friends in Nyon are locations such as down near the lake, McDonald's (I'm sure no parents are surprised at that one) and La Combe. If you're a teenager new to Nyon, as you make more friends I'm sure eventually  you'll discover that they all have their own spots they like to hang out in.  My life now I'd say that the past two years have not been easy but they haven't been terrible. I found a dance group that I enjoy, I've made many friends over time and I'm finally comfortable with the way my life has turned out. But I still miss my home and my family in the UK, but they all knew that life in Switzerland would offer so many more opportunities. If you're new or soon moving to Nyon or Switzerland, it may not always be easy in the beginning but you'll eventually find your way here".

Tucked away in the pretty village of La Rippe (approx 10 minutes from Nyon), the Deux Mille Feuilles Montessori school is a multilingual place of learning for children aged 3 - 12. The Montessori method views the child as "one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment” .  The children themselves are at the centre of the Deux Mille Feuilles school, lots of passion and energy is given to their development. "Help me do it by myself” is one of the core Montessori teaching principles and is practised throughout the school. Director Cornelia Tosch adds - "We are a big family here at Deux Mille Feuilles and we just love what we do!” Daily walks in Nature  The school itself is in a glorious setting, surrounded by trees for daily play and discovery. Children can take regular walks in the surrounding nature right from the doorstep of the school. During poor weather days, there is a separate indoor gym at the school dedicated solely for the children's use. Classes School classes are given in both English & French for young children, and in English, French and German for older ages. Read about the bilingual immersion classes here . Transportation  The school provides healthy freshly-prepared meals, full-day care for children and transportation (the bus drops children just outside Nyon post office). Before school care starts as early as 7:30 and after-school care until 18:00. During the after-school care, learning continues, children can explore STEM inspired themes including scientific experiments to understand the world around them. Read about the schools values here  and the team behind the school here For more information, please contact Cornelia Tosch - Cornelia speaks fluent English. Email :  cornelia.tosch@2millefeuilles.ch  or telephone +41 76 580 61 78