•Written by Anita Landecy• ••Wednesday•, 26 •May• 2010 22:24•
When UNESCO classified the Lavaux region, between Lausanne and Vevey, as part of the world's patrimony in 2007, it based its decision on the region's value as a "cultural landscape," rather than considering the region as a "natural site." What makes Lavaux exceptional, UNESCO concluded, is not only its natural beauty, but the human activity that has shaped it.
"The Lavaux is an exceptional site," explains Philippe Robert, founder of Architrek, an association that is equally enthusiastic about hiking and the architecture of landscapes. "For more than a thousand years, man has sculpted the steep, rocky slopes on this tract of land next to Lake Geneva, in order to extract precious wine." On Pentacost Weekend Robert and Architrek, organized a three day excursion through this exquisitely "constructed countryside. "
The underlying structure of Lavaux' landscape has not changed since the Cistercian monks installed themselves there in the Middle Ages. The only sign that we are at the center of a dynamic economic region in the center of the Canton of Vaud is the autoroute, which links Swiss Romande to the rest of the country. The preservation of Lavaux is due to the pride of its inhabitants who have passed the art of cultivating wine on the land bordering Lake Geneva for generation after generation.
"What makes Lavaux special is its 'three suns,'" says Robert. The sun is the primary source of heat and light. The stone walls, which mark the limits of each patch of land, store the heat accumulated during the day and continue to give it off during the night. Finally, the Lake reflects the sun's rays throughout the year.
Architrek included a fourth “sun” in its itinerary. The Mont Pelerin hillside above the vineyards, which blocks the winds from the north, contributes to retaining the sun's warmth.
After a first day trekking across the fields, with the effort compensated by the discovery that the vineyards were offering an open house wine tasting to the public, the second day was dedicated to the ascension of Mont Pelerin and observing the entire site from its highest point. The expedition ended on the third day with a survey of the architecture of Vevey, notably the house built by Le Corbusier in Corseaux and the headquarters of Nestlé, with its "Y" shape, which has inspired numerous architects.
The visit was just one in a series of events organized by Philippe Robert, an architect, hiker and epicurean, who likes to share his passion for trekking, contemplation and the art of fine living. “I have a horror of tourists who keep an open guidebook and need to verify everything that is written in it,” Robert says. He proposes itineraries that are adaptable to the suggestions of participants and which are intended to stray from the beaten path and to be guided by unexpected encounters. There is no rush on Robert’s tours. You have the time for contemplation, to sketch the landscape, record sounds, to share emotions and ideas. The interaction in the group is often as interesting as what Robert has to say. The fellow trekkers range from engineers to artists to anyone who is interested in the beauty of nature. Robert offers his services for free. Everyone pays for meals, hotel accommodations and logistics directly to the service provider.
The next Architrek trip will look at industrial reconversion in the Ruhr. The trek will explore Emscher Park, a formerly run down industrial area that has been rehabilitated into a green park with museums, residential areas and office centers. It will take place on June 10-13.
Whisky amateurs might want to join the trek “On the whisky road” in Scotland in early September. The trip will focus on contemporary architectural projects in Edinburgh and then take a trek to various whisky distilleries in the countryside.
Another original hike in Japan in October will combine a visit to old trails around Kyoto with a look at contemporary artists work on Naoshima island. It will also visit the projects of famous architect Tadao Ando.
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•To find out more about Philippe Robert and Architrek, go to http://www.architrek.org
• If you want to explore the slopes of Lavaux, and the Canton of Vaud, we advise reading :
"Le Chemin de Jean Jacques Rousseau," by Pierre Corajoud, published by the author and available on the Internet at: http://www.balade.wordpress.com
• for more information on Lavaux, visit the site at http://: www.lavaux.ch
• to learn more about Le Corbusier's house at Corseaux, visit http://villalelac.ch
• to see Nestlé's Y-shaped headquarters, go to http://www.jjkphoto.ch/nestle.htm
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•Written by The Editors• ••Tuesday•, 18 •May• 2010 08:09•
Some 300 winegrowers from the Swiss Lake Geneva region of Morges are holding an open house on Friday and Saturday (21-22 May, 2010). This will provide visitors with a chance to taste and order these Morges wines directly from the growers.
•Written by Peter Sibley• ••Wednesday•, 12 •May• 2010 07:37•
Organizers of this year's charitable Bike the Lake event are looking for participants either to cycle or to provide logistical suport for the 115 km or 180km tours. The event begins on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at 8.30am and expects to finish at 4.30 pm (1630).
•Written by Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman • ••Sunday•, 07 •March• 2010 15:23•
Geneva -- Stained Glass, Fallen Angels and other events in the Lake Geneva Region provided by Know-it-All Passport .
STAINED GLASS EXPOSITION: Vernissage: Friday, 12 March, 18h-20h Expo open Saturday, 13 March, 10h-19h Sunday, 14 March, 11h-18h Maison du Charron 6, rue des Moulins 1290 Versoix, Geneva. www.versoix.ch and www.aeqv.ch Come and see Lisa Cirieco’s stained glass as well as other students of Ruth Vermot. Some will be on sale.
And more...
•Written by Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman • ••Sunday•, 28 •February• 2010 15:54•
Teen Disco, Dogsleigh Races and other highlights from Know-It-All-Passport.
TEEN ANGELS' PARTY Buzz Club Rue Enning 1 (next to the Da Carlo Pizzeria) 1003 Lausanne (VD) Friday, 5 March, 2010 18h-22h www.angelsfactory.ch The TeenAngels’ Parties «Clubbing» events, held in a discotheque, where the happiness of teenagers meets their parents’ satisfaction and approval as well as peace of mind. It is reserved exclusively for 13-16 year-olds and provides them with the chance to dance to their sort of music and enjoy the DJ’s lightshow. Any exit from Buzz Club is final. Entry price: Fr. 15.-/person (reservation is obligatory, see website) French fries (chips) and pizza will be served at the bar as well as only NON-ALCOHOLIC beverages.
And more...
•Written by Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman• ••Monday•, 01 •February• 2010 06:00•
Geneva -- Selected Upcoming Events in the Lake Geneva Region produced by The Know-It-All Passport
MUSIC FESTIVAL: FEST HIVERS Casino de Montbenon, Lausanne (VD) www.festhivers.ch Friday, 5 February, 2010, from 20h30 till 03h Saturday, 6 February 2010, from 20h till 04h NOTE: Park at Montbenon and pay a special fee of Fr. 5.- for the entire evening (you will need to pay at the Shell station shop before 22h). See website for details.
CONCERT FOR HAITI Chapelle de lʼOratoire 7, rue Tabazan 1204 Genève Sunday, 7 February, at 18h Free of charge but donations will be taken for ONG MEDAIR and given in full to help those that suffered from the earthquake in Haiti. Light refreshments will be served after the concert. (See Essential Edge Letter from Haiti by Tom Woods )
SWISS ARMY KNIFE EXHIBITION MUSEE NATIONAL SUISSE, CHATEAU DE PRANGINS 1197 Prangins (VD) Tel. 022 994 88 90 Till 25 April, 2010 Tuesdays to Sundays 10h-17h (exceptional opening on Easter Monday)
For more events, please fo to www.knowitall.ch
Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman is author of the Know-it-all Passport, a printed and online guide for English-speakers in the Geneva, Vaud, and neighboring France areas.
•Written by The Editors• ••Tuesday•, 05 •May• 2009 19:39•
SELECTED EVENTS
GENEVA -- Several times a month, The Essential Edge will highlight a selection of events in the Lake Geneva Region – both Switzerland and France - of interest to visitors and residents alike. These will range from art exhibitions, bike races and culinary gatherings to concerts and public lectures. If you have any events that you wish to publicize, then please contact us at: •This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it•
The following events take place in Gemeva, Divonne, Lausanne, Yverdons, St Saphorin and Evian.
Geneva -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has teamed up with five of the world’s top photographers to create a fascinating new exhibit – Our World – At War – from 8 May to 30 June, 2009 in Switzerland at the Espace SIG at the Pont de la Machine in downtown Geneva overlooking the Rhone River but also in more than 40 other countries. This unique exhibit offers a firsthand look at the impact of war and armed violence on the lives of ordinary people.
•Written by Edward Girardet• ••Thursday•, 04 •December• 2008 01:23•
The Lake Geneva and Rhone-Alpes region boasts a score of animal centres, some worthy, others less worthy, for both young and old. The Essential Edge will highlight a number of these in the months ahead. The Parc d’Accueil Pierre Challandes in Bellevue on the outskirts of Geneva was founded in 1989 by former Swiss journalist Pierre Challandes in the grounds of a large Lake Geneva villa. It is not really a zoo but more a refuge supported by private donations for abandoned, injured or sick animals, or ones confiscated by customs or whose owners can no longer handle them. These range from endangered long-legged maned wolves from South America, Greek Hermann tortoises, feral raccoons, and hawks to a mountain lion and, the latest addition, a four-month-old snow leopard born in a small zoo outside Zurich! Some, notably Swiss or European species, are eventually introduced back into the wild, but for many the park remains their only option for survival.
•Written by The Editors• ••Friday•, 10 •October• 2008 19:24•
The Florentine Palais de Rumine stands out as a dominant feature of the old town of Lausanne below the cathedral and only several minutes walk from the main downtown shopping area or metro ride from the railway station. So if you're fed up with shopping, or if you have an hour or two on your hands and want to visit a clutch of museums, particularly with children, this is a good choice.
•Written by William T. Dowell• ••Monday•, 29 •September• 2008 00:08•
The US presidential election in November is likely to have an unprecedented impact on non-Americans as well as US citizens. Unfortunately, only Americans get to vote. If you are an American and you haven't voted yet, you have a responsibility for what happens next, and time is running out. If you are from one of the nine "swing" states, you really need to vote. We all know what happened in the 2000 election, when the outcome depended on a handful of votes. Even if you are from a state where the vote looks like a foregone conclusion, this election is likely to change history for all of us. It is important that your vote is counted. You don't want to let this slip by simply because of inertia, laziness, or you think that you are too busy at the office. Click on "read more" just below this paragraph for critical information on how you can get your ballot in on time.•Written by The Editors• ••Thursday•, 27 •March• 2008 04:57•
Worried about Geneva disintegrating into a black hole when the latest particle accelerator – the Large Hadron Collider (LHR) – of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) goes into operation later this year? Or do you simply wish to find out more about this new scientific instrument, the largest and most complex of its kind in the world? Whatever your concerns, you can learn more at CERN, which is holding an open day this Sunday, 6 April, 2008 both at its headquarters in Meyrin and at various other access points in the Canton of Geneva and neighbouring France. And if you haven't got time, Essential Edge writers will visit for you. Watch this space!
•Written by William Dowell• ••Thursday•, 20 •December• 2007 19:43•
Former foreign correspondent William Dowell has been based in places like New York, Hong Kong, Paris and Cairo. He now considers the Lake Geneva region one of the most interesting and liveable places in the world.
•Written by The Editors• ••Sunday•, 02 •December• 2007 20:22•
Lake Geneva and Southern Alps Region
Despite living in a region surrounded by the Alps and the Jura, we often fail to grasp the precariousness of this stunning mountainous environment that we take for granted. •Written by The Editors• ••Wednesday•, 31 •October• 2007 19:00•
Historic ties between the
If you are in the main United Nations building and have time to make a little detour, a mini-exhibition of six 2-meter high banner stands and a digital presentation are on display from November 1 to November 30. "Connections" is a look at the historic ties between the