Tag: switzerland
Mine de Sel, Bex
Never thought I will visit a salt mine – let alone one that started in 1600’s and is still producing the product – sodium chloride. This mine is located in the Swiss vallée du Rhône about 75 minutes drive from Lausanne. Apparently, they have been welcoming tourists for many years – hence, this very informative…
Fête Désalpe at Saint-Cergue
We had a thorough appreciation of the saying “Until the cows come home” at the annual Fête Désalpe. Désalpe is a unique tradition of Switzerland (and parts of France) when the herds of cows that spent summer on the alpine pasture return to the valley for winter. The word Désalpe is a contraction of “Déscente…
A short stay at Lucerne
Lucerne (or Luzern in German) is located in the middle of Switzerland and acted as a transport gateway between the Swiss plateau on the north and the Alps in the south. When I told people I was moving to Lausanne, many were confusing Lausanne with this city – as it is better known outside of Europe. Indeed, for…
La Chaux-de-Fonds – a Swiss Watch-making City
La Chaux-de-Fonds is the heart of Switzerland’s famous watch-making industry. The area referred to as the Watch Valley nestled within the Jura mountains above Neuchâtel. You will see the logos of the various famous brands on buildings around town especially along the road towards Le Locle – see my earlier post on watchmakers. In 2009,…