14 • Worldwide Travel


Te Travel Guide - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 11 February 2026 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Te Nyon region: Switzerland in miniature


With its perfect lakeside setting between Lausanne and Geneva, the Nyon region combines rich cultural heritage with a vast choice of local products


The Nyon region is an ideal destination for making discoveries, strolling and trying local specialities. More active visitors will be drawn to hiking and cycling routes. From the mountains of the Jura to the vineyards along the shores of Lake Geneva, this small region has everything you expect from Switzerland. Here’s few reasons to visit.


THE VIEWS In the Jura region, the summit of La Dôle (1,677m/5,502ft) is just a one-hour walk from the base, or a scenic two- to three-hour hike from the village of St-Cergue. But you don’t need to reach the top to enjoy the view. Even from the terrace of the Maison des Vins de la Côte or on the esplanade of Nyon Castle, which overlooks the lake, there are many places in the region where incredible panoramic views leave visitors


breathless. The scenery includes the forests of the Jura, rolling vineyards, majestic Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc on the horizon looking down from the summit of the Alps.


HIKING AND CYCLING The main mountain resort in the region is St-Cergue. Nature-lovers will appreciate the peaceful Jura landscape and the invigorating air of the vast forests. Skiing is easily accessible in the winter, and from spring onwards, a wide range of hiking and cycling activities await. For instance, the Barillette Bike Tour satisfies MTB or gravel fans while the Échappée Jurassienne is one the key long-distance hikes in the Jura. It starts in the historic city of Dole across the border in France and covers more than 220 miles to finish in Nyon. The last three stages of this tour


take hikers through the Nyon region. The first stage goes from La Cure to the top of La Dôle, then to the village of St-Cergue for a well- deserved rest. The last two days see you following the Toblerones trail,


which owes its name to a line of anti-tank defences built to protect Switzerland from invasion between 1939 and 1945. These concrete fortifications are the same shape as a Toblerone chocolate bar, and run for dozens of miles from the foot of the Jura to the lake.


WINE AND FOOD SPECIALITIES The Toblerones trail runs through the vineyards of La Côte along the shores of Lake Geneva. These consist of almost 5,000 acres of vines, making up more than half of the wine-growing area in the canton of Vaud. They’re divided into 10 local production areas, including Nyon, Morges, Luins and Vinzel. Around 100 wine-makers, 32 chateaux among them, bear witness to a centuries- old tradition of viticulture. The new Maison des Vins de la Côte in Mont-sur-Rolle brings together 82 producers, whose best wines can be tasted there. The region’s speciality is chasselas, which is well known for accompanying cheese fondue. However, the region has its very


own cheese dish: the malakoff. It’s been around since the 19th century but there are many different stories about its mysterious origins. Other foodie delights include fillets of perch and fera from the lake, papet vaudois (a sausage, leek and potato dish) and Begnins bacon. Last but not least, Alexandre in Nyon is a master chocolatier in the purest Swiss tradition, and has worked for the British royal family.


O.GISIGER, CHÂTEAU DE PRANGINS, O.VILLARD, A.BRYAND, B. BECKER


LA GARENNE ANIMAL PARK Dedicated to the fauna and flora of the region, the seven acres of La Garenne park include an immersive


discovery area, a shop, a restaurant with local and organic products, games for children and a care centre for wild animals, with the highest aviary in Europe. Wolves, lynxes, marmots, ibex, bearded vultures and other animals can be observed during a short, pleasant walk around the park.


WAS IT JULIUS CAESAR? Legend says that Nyon was founded by Julius Caesar more than 2,000 years ago. It was indeed one of his retired legions that settled on a little hill above Lake Geneva, founding Noviodunum. Today, Nyon still has rich heritage from this era, displayed in the town’s Roman Museum.


THEY CALL IT “LÉMAN” For the inhabitants, Lake Geneva is simply the “Léman” — a name with pre-Roman origins, meaning “lake”. One the biggest lakes in Europe, it has a beautiful setting on the Swiss- French border, between the Jura and the Alps. The best way to learn about it is to visit the Musée du Léman in Nyon. Visitors will also discover a link to the Tintin comics — the hero comes to Nyon to investigate the disappearance of Professor Calculus. The story of Auguste Piccard, a famous Swiss scientist and adventurer who helped to inspire the professor’s character, is also part of the exhibition.


MUSEUMS AND FESTIVALS The Nyon region offers a wide range of museums, including the Swiss National Museum at Prangins Castle and Coppet Castle where the French author Madame de Staël lived. Others include Nyon Castle and its


porcelain collections; the historic home at the Musée du Vieux-Coppet; the museum of agriculture at Moulin de Chiblins; and the House of Basketball. They can all be visited with the local museum pass. Nyon region is also home to the newly opened FIM Motorcycle Museum and UEFA’s headquarters. Nyon’s nickname is the city of


festivals — it hosts six major ones from February to August: Les Hivernales, Visions du Réel, Caribana Festival, Rive Jazzy, farº – Festival des Arts Vivants and the award-winning Paléo Festival, which attracts more than 250,000 people every summer.


FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT When staying for one night at one of the region’s diverse accommodation options, visitors receive the Carte Explore. The card offers unlimited travel on buses and trains, as well as various discounts on main attractions. It allows tourists to visit the attractions while safeguarding the environment. From the lake to the peaks of the Jura, you can explore the region’s storied towns and scenic villages, exceptional cultural sites and countryside.


For further information


E: info@nrt.ch Visit: lacote-tourisme.ch/en


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