Romandy

Panoramic and scenic pictures from the Romandy region (Western Switzerland).

Lavaux Panoramic picture of Lavaux and Lake Geneva.
Geneva Panoramic picture of Lake Geneva with the Jet d'eau (fountain)
Lake Geneva Panoramic picture of Lake Geneva at Geneva.
Steam Boat Geneva Picture of the steamboat Geneva at Geneva.
Water Fountain Picture of the Jet d'eau (Water Fountain) in Geneva.
Rue de la Fontaine Rue de la Fontaine
Temple de la Madeleine Picture of the Temple de la Madeleine in Geneva.
Yverdon le nuage Picture of the Arteplage-le nuage (the cloud) of the national exhibition 2002 at Yverdon.
Yvonand-Beach Picture of the beach at Yvonand.
Estavayer-le-lac Citygate Picture of the citygate at Estavayer-le-lac
Corseaux Panoramic picture of Corseaux with the Nestle building.
Arteplage Neuenburg Picture of the exhibition platform at Neuenburg during the Expo02 (Swiss national exhibition)
TGV Ligne du Coeur TGV (High Speed Train) at Les Verrieres

About Western Switzerland (Romandy or Romandie)

Population: 1'707'068 (2002)
Language: French
Major cities: Geneva, Lausanne, Yverdon, Neuchatel, Bienne, La Chaux de Fonds

Location

Western Switzerland, also known as "Romandie" or "Romandy" is located in the western part of Switzerland near the border to France.

Landscape

A mountain chain, called the "Jura" stretches along the border to France from Geneva to Basel. Its highest elevation is 1717 meters above sea level. Between Lake Geneva in the south and Lake Neuchatel, the landscape is rather flat and extensivly used for farming and industry. In the south east, parts of the Swiss Alpes are located within Western Switzerland.

Points of interest

The major cities: Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchatel and Yverdon are defenitely worth a visit. You should not miss the lakeshore of Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux. You will feel like at the French Rivièra, with the difference of having the alps in front of you.
If you are in the Jura and like hiking, go aling the Doubs River. You think there are no sandy beaches in Switzerland? Well then visit the campsite "VD8" near Yvonand!

History

400 B.C.
Colonisation by the Helvetics, a celtic group. -> Confoederatio Helvetica (CH), the latin name and car-sign of Switzeland are derivated of that
after 58. B.C.
Roman province. -> Capital: Aventicum (todays name Avenches, a little town between Murten and Yverdon)
after 400
Immigration of the Burgunds (->French language)
after 500
Western Switzerland becomes part of Frankish Realm.
1474-1478
War of the Burgunds, Voud and parts of Geneva are occupied by Bern (since 1353 an independent state in the Swiss Confederation)
1499
Fribourg joins the Confederation.
1648
The Confederation leaves the German Empire.
1798
Occupation of Western Switzerland by Napoleon. -> The Helvetic Republic, a centralistic french satelite state is founded, the occupied territories (like Voud) become independent.
1803
Voud joins Switzerland as independent Canton.
1814
The Cantons of Neuchatel and Geneva joing Switzerland.
1848
Creation of the Confederation we know today with the Capital Bern.
1978
The Canton Jura declares independency of the Canton Bern and joins the Confederation.

/ Terms of use / / to Gallery / / to Map of Switzerland /