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| Welcome to the lovely Lake Geneva Region ! |
Since the dawn of European history, Switzerland has enjoyed a privileged position at the crossroads of the continent. For centuries, the Lake Geneva Region in particular has been a key communication hub. The region possesses a highly efficient transport system - which, in turn, is integrated into the densest national network in the world. Countless combinations of travel by train, ship, funicular, bus and aerial cableway open up to visitors a wealth of scenic splendour and excursion destinations.
Switzerland in compact form, the Lake Geneva Region - with its landscape of contrasts - harmoniously blends the graceful palm-studded shores of its blue lakes with a majestic glacier and rolling countryside with the sweet and savage Jura forests.
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Hub of Europe's major road and rail links, served by Geneva International Airport, benefiting from an exceptional environment, historic patrimony and a seductive modern tourist infrastructure, the Lake Geneva Region offers you a rich choice of sporting, cultural and leisure activities to meet your every need and provide you with a memorable holiday.
To enjoy at best your stay, here are the Minotel hotels of the region :
| City |
Minotel |
Hotel Code
& Direct access to its page
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| Switzerland |
| Aigle |
du Nord |
CH398 |
| Château-d’Oex |
Ermitage |
CH357 |
| Chexbres |
Cécil |
CH296 |
| Geneva |
International & Terminus |
CH253 |
| Longchamp |
CH234 |
| Gstaad-Schönried |
Alpin Nova |
CH334 |
| Lausanne | AlaGare |
CH144 | | Crystal |
CH145 | | Les Chevreuils |
CH204 |
| Montreux-Chailly | de Chailly |
CH122 |
| Morges | de
la Couronne |
CH156 |
| Onnens | Bellevue |
CH287 |
| Rougemont | Valrose |
CH167 |
| Le Sentier | du Lion d’Or |
CH299 |
| Vevey | de Famille |
CH182 |
| France |
| Evian |
de France |
FR598 | | Thonon-les-Bains | L’Arc-en-Ciel |
FR298 |
This remarkable region enjoys international acclaim among sports enthusiasts. And it offers the ideal conditions for active holidays. Such as settings of great scenic splendour. The finest facilities. And professional advice and assistance from holiday specialists.
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| Where Sport is King |
Top-class tournaments are staged regularly throughout the region. Lakeside Lausanne is home to a number of international sports federations, and has been the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee for more than 80 years. One of the city's most popular attractions is the Olympic Museum.
The Olympic Museum in Lausanne is located in an impressive setting overlooking Lake Geneva. Opened in 1993, it won the "European Museum of the Year" award only two years later. It traces the fascinating history of the Games form ancient Greece to the present day. The Museum stages temporary and permanent exhibitions, with state-of-the-art technology permitting visitors to relive the greatest Olympic moments.
For more information :
www.museum.olympic.org
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| Our Selection of Excursions by Train |
Le Pont - Le Brassus
This route covers a very varied landscape, ranging from fir forests
and pastures to lovely Joux Lake and the gentle Jura foothills.
The train stops at Le Sentier and Le Brassus, traditional centres of the
Swiss click and matchmaking industry.
Speciality : Steam train on certain dates
To visit : Bison Park in Mont d’Orzières
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| Vevey - Chexbres - Puidoux |
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| | The Wine Train climbs gently through the verdant vineyards of
Lavaux, one of the Lake Geneva Region’s most beautiful winegrowing
areas. Passengers are offered spectacular views of the impressive lake
landscape and the wonderworld of the Alps.
To visit : in Puidoux, Winetasting cellars
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| Montreux - Bernese Oberland |
This legendary Alpine route crosses Switzerland’s language frontier,
linking French-speaking Montreux with German-speaking Interlaken
in the Bernese Oberland. Known as the Golden Pass, the route passes
through some of Switzerland’s most impressive alpine scenery,
continuing on to Lucerne.
To visit : Cheese dairies in Château-d’Oex, Romanesque Church in
Rougemont
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| By Boat : Cruising on Lake Geneva |
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| | The CGN operates eight paddle-wheel vessels on Lake Geneva,
the largest such fleet in Europe. Of these eight, four are powered
by steam. Several cruises are available, even from Switzerland
to France (between Lausanne-Ouchy and Evian-les-Bains).
To visit :
Lausanne : Olympic Museum, and in the region, Gruyères, famous for its green meadows and its cheese, perched on an isolated hill, the little historical town of Gruyères with its medieval castle and
restaurants where you can taste the many specialities of the region,
mainly local berries topped with the delicious double cream of Gruyères.
Evian : Birthplace of Natural Mineral Water known throughout the world, Casino.
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| Practical Information |
Climate
Average temperature : 13 °C
Maximum summer temperature : 30 °C
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| Time difference |
Please note : This does not take into account summer/winter time changes
in different countries.
| Sydney | + 9 hours |
| Tokyo | + 8 hours |
| Hong Kong | + 7 hours |
| Bangkok | + 6 hours |
| Moskau | + 2 hours |
| New York | - 6 hours |
| Washington DC | - 6 hours |
| Chicago/Mexico | - 7 hours |
| Denver | - 8 hours |
| Los Angeles | - 9 hours |
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| Demography |
The population of 603,156 equals 8.5 percent of Switzerland.
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| Electricity |
220 V - 50 Hz
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| Official language |
The official language is French, but most major languages are easily understood and spoken.
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| Parking |
Three different types of parking zones :
| White | time is unlimited |
| Blue | 1-1/2 hours maximum |
| Red | 15 hrs maximum |
Parking disc obligatory, it is obtainable from service stations, the local tourist office and police stations together, with traffic maps. The parking disc is available at no charge and is used for the blue and red parking zones. Individual or collective parking meters.
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| Speed Limits |
| In towns | 30 to 50 km/18 to 31 m.p.h. |
| Outside towns | 70 to 90 km/43 to 56 m.p.h. |
| Motorways | 120 km/75 m.p.h. |
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| Motorway Sticker |
Your car must have the -Motorway Sticker- to use the freeway system; this sticker costs CHF 40. This is a tax that is paid yearly to freeway use. If you are driving a rental car, this will be included with the car. Obligatory, available from post offices or service stations. Seat belts are obligatory in front and rear seats.
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