| Swiss ((of)Schweiz/(it)Svizzera/(rm)Svizra) | |
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| Flag | |
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| Information | |
| Capital city | Bern |
|---|---|
| Area | 41 300 km² |
| Population | 7 700 000 hab. (2010) |
| Density | 186,44 inhab./km² |
| Form of State | directorial regime, federal republic |
| Cash | Swiss franc (CHF) |
| Electricity | 230 V/50 Hz, European and Swiss plugs |
| Telephone prefix | 41 |
| Internet suffix | .ch, .swiss |
| Flow direction | Right-hand drive |
| Spindle | UTC 1 |
| Location | |
 46 ° 47 ′ 55 ″ N 8 ° 13 ′ 55 ″ E | |
| Government site | |
| Touristic site | |
The Swiss is a country European located in central Europe, without direct access to the sea, border of the France to the west, fromGermany to the north ofAustria and Liechtenstein to the east, andItaly South.
Understand
State located in the heart of Europe but rejecting the idea of joining theEuropean Union, Switzerland is a special country in many ways. According to the founding myth, it was born in 1291, when the representatives of the first three cantons solemnly founded what was initially a sort of coalition against the Habsburg occupation. The original of the 1291 pact is currently on display at the Museum of Federal Charters in Schwyz.
In its history, Switzerland has experienced periods of peace and wealth, but also years of war and great poverty. The cantons even clashed in a fratricidal war of religions at the time of the Reformation. Napoleon also went through this, wanted to bring order in his own way and for a time established a system called Helvetic Republic.
If the external borders have not moved for centuries, the cantonal limits are still sometimes called into question today. Some, as in Basel, want to reunite the two "half-cantons" separated in 1833, others, in the Bernese Jura, ask to be freed from one canton to join another ... The Swiss Confederation remains a work in progress.
If we stick to the postcard, Switzerland is the neat little towns, the meadows of a very intense green, the mountains that we like to conquer or hurtle down on skis, a multitude of lakes. , chocolate, fondue, beautiful watches. But under this timeless image, Switzerland is also a dynamic, prosperous and innovative country. Its banking and pharmaceutical sectors, in particular, are famous around the world. The Swiss are very attached to the protection of nature, which is everywhere here. Public services and infrastructure such as transport, particularly railways, and training establishments are of high quality. All this makes Switzerland a magnet, which attracts talent from all over the world. Almost one in four inhabitants is a foreign resident.
Politically, Switzerland is a semi-direct democracy unlike its neighbors. The people are the "sovereign", they enjoy the rights of direct participation in the legislative process: in addition to the right to elect representatives, they can also launch initiatives, to provoke an amendment of the Constitution, or referendums, to prevent the entry into force of a law adopted by Parliament.
The levels of government are the federal, cantonal and communal levels. The seat of the federal government is at Bern. The cantons and the communes enjoy a great deal of autonomy. They adopt their own laws in many areas, including tax. This possibility is also widely exploited by certain so-called peripheral cantons, which thus attract residents and businesses.
Although the country has been neutral for a long time, the Swiss are proud of their system of compulsory military service, a tradition requiring all adults to serve a few months in the army, either in a row or spread over several years.
Regions
Switzerland is made up of 26 cantons, 6 of which have only one seat instead of two in the Council of States and only count for half in federal votes, this is what we called half-cantons. The distinction was removed in the constitution of the . townships of varying shapes and sizes are not practical for dividing the country into tourist areas. Travelers will find the division below more convenient.
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Cities
Main towns
- 1 Zurich – Largest city in the country by the homonymous lake
- 2 Geneva – One of the destinations in French-speaking Switzerland the most popular with tourists, businessmen and women and heads of state: headquarters of the UN, the Red Cross, water jet, the Protestant "Rome", the capital Peace.
- 3 Basel – City of art, world capital of medicine.
- 4 Lausanne – Olympic capital and headquarters of the IOC. Cathedral.
- 5 Bern – The capital, in the city center classified by UNESCO, the bear pit.
- 6 Lucerne – The city known for its covered wooden bridges and its transport museum.
- 7 Lugano – City of parks and flower gardens, villas and religious buildings.
To see
Emblematic sites of Switzerland
- the Appenzell country in Northeastern Switzerland.
- Augst, site dating from the Romans.
- The Swiss open-air museum Ballenberg
- The Pass of the Bernina (2 328 m).
- The Castle of Chillon.
- THE'Emmental.
- the Upper country.
- The plain of Grütli, the symbol of the union and solidarity of the Swiss.
- The Castle and the medieval town of Gruyères.
- the Gurtental To Kandersteg, (toll road and transit ticket machine).
- The Valley ofHérens, and the village ofEvolene.
- The Valley ofIntyamon, a valley in the heart of Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park, with its rustic villages.
- the Jungfraujoch, access from Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, ascent by train in the mountain at 3 475 m.
- the Kleine Matterhorn (little Matterhorn), by cable car to 3 883 m.
- The Valley of Lauterbrunnen, U-shaped glacial valley at the foot of the Jungfrau. With the Staubach and Trummelbach waterfalls. Access to Murren and at Schiltorn.
- The slopes of the vineyard of Lavaux, on the slopes of the edge of Lake Geneva, Between Lausanne and Vevey, belongs to the world heritage of Unesco.
- The Valley of Lotschental.
- Maienfeld the village of Heidi.
- The Valley of Planplatten andEngstlensee, (toll road), on the road to Susten-Pass.
- the Rhine, from the source in the Graubünden, by the falls near Schaffhausen up to Basel(and France, and Germany and the Netherlands).
- The Glacier of Rhône at the pass Furka (2 431 m).
- The panorama, seen from Weissenstein (1 284 m).
Other destinations
- The Swiss mountain resorts are spread over 3 geographical areas: the Alps, the Pre-Alps and the Jura Arc.
To go
Formalities
Switzerland is part of theSchengen area. The citizens of the Swiss and the European Economic Area which includes theEuropean Union, the'Iceland, the Norway and the Liechtenstein only need a national identity card or a passport valid. They don't need any Visa to enter or circulate in the Schengen area and are generally allowed to stay as long as they wish.
Remarks (1) Nationals of these countries need a biometric passport to enjoy visa-free travel. (2) Serbian nationals with passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate (residents of Kosovo with Serbian passport) need a visa. (3) Taiwanese nationals need their ID card number (a letter followed by nine digits) written in their passport to enjoy visa-free travel. |
Nationals of the following countries do not need a visa to enter the Schengen area: Albania(1), Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and herzegovina(1), Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, South Korea, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, United Arab Emirates, United States, Grenade, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, North Macedonia(1), Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova(1), Monaco, Montenegro(1), New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St. LUCIA, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia(1,2), Seychelles, Singapore, Taiwan(3) (Republic of China), East Timor, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela as well as holders of a passport of Hong Kong SAR, of Macau SAR and all nationals British (including those who are not citizens of the European Union).
- The visa-free travelers mentioned above and not members of theEEE or from Swiss cannot stay more than 90 days out of a 180-day period in the Schengen area in its entirety and, in general, cannot work during their stay (although some countries in the Schengen area allow certain nationalities to work). The counting of days begins once you enter one of the Schengen countries and does not return to zero when you leave one Schengen country for another.
- New Zealand citizens can stay longer than 90 days, but without working if they do not have a work permit, in some countries of the Schengen area, namely Germany, Austria, the Benelux, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland
If you are not a national ofEEE or from Swiss, even if you are exempt from a visa, unless you are Andorran, Monegasque, San Marino or Vatican, make sure your passport is stamped both when entering and leaving the Schengen area. Without an entry stamp, you may be treated as having exceeded your stay when trying to leave the Schengen area. Without an exit stamp, you may be refused entry the next time you seek to enter the Schengen area as you may be assumed to have exceeded the time allowed on your previous visit. If you cannot get a stamp in the passport, keep documents like boarding passes, transportation tickets, etc. which can help convince border control personnel that you have stayed in the Schengen area legally.
By plane
Switzerland benefits from excellent air connections; it has two major international airports: Kloten (Zurich) and Cointrin (Geneva), as well as two smaller ones located Belp (Bern) and Agno (Lugano). That of Basel-Mulhouse (Basel) is located in French territory in Saint-Louis (Haut-Rhin) but includes a part under Swiss administration and access by car from Switzerland without customs clearance.
THE'Geneva airport offers many predominantly European connections, plus flights to North America (New York, Washington, Montreal), as well as to the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait City). Zurich Airport has a wider range of intercontinental destinations.
By train
There are many stations in Switzerland. You can arrive from almost anywhere with the train. There are large stations with international connections to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Brig, Bern, and Zurich. From these stations, it is easy to reach the rest of Switzerland by train or public transport.
- Swiss railways website: http://www.cff.ch (the search for timetables from all over Europe is more efficient than the SNCF website)
By car
The entry points by road are very numerous, in particular from the France.
Note, however, that a direct arrival by the motorway network will require you to purchase the sticker, even for the most minimal of routes.
From the France
- Since Paris : take the highways A6 and A36 up to Mulhouse then follow the free highway A35 in the direction of Basel where one crosses the border, it is possible to tangent byGermany via the highway 5. The city of Geneva is closely served by the highway A40 which actually goes through Saint-Julien-en-Genevois. We can also join Neuchâtel and Lausanne Passing by Besancon.
- Since Lyon : the most used option is to cross the border by Geneva (destination indicated on the signs along the route ...) by successively taking the motorways A42 and A40. Entry into Switzerland can also be done by Swear Passing by Oyonnax and Saint-Claude.
- Since Marseilles : take the highway A7 up to Valence then A49 and A41 via Voiron. It is also possible to cross part of theItaly by Turin and Milan if you want to go in particular to the Ticino where the Graubünden.
- Since Lille : successively follow the highways A1 and A26 up to Troyes, take the road N19 via Langres and Vesoul then the highway A36 once arrived at Belfort if you want to cross the border at Basel. To join Geneva, follow the recommendations set out for users coming from Paris.
- Since Strasbourg : take the free highway A35 up to the border at Basel but it is also possible to go through theGermany on the highway 5 which is a little less congested, the highways 98 and 861 make it possible to avoid crossing this border town by passing through Lörrach.
From theAustria
- Since Vienna and Salzburg : the simplest route is to transit by the motorway A1 and cross theGermany by the highway 8 up to Munich, follow the highway 96 towards the Austrian border at Bregenz. Arrival in Switzerland is at Sankt Margrethen near highways 1 and 13.
- Since Innsbruck : Highway A14 respectively serves the towns of Bregenz and of Feldkirch from where it is possible to reach Switzerland via the Liechtenstein. The city of entry into Switzerland is Buchs on the other bank of the Rhine.
From theGermany
- Since Frankfurt : follow the highway 5 along the Rhine via Freiburg and entry into Switzerland is via Basel on the highway 2.
- Since Stuttgart : Highway 81 drive to the border near the Lake constance in the north of Zurich, it is also possible to join the latter by the motorway 4 once in Switzerland.
- Since Munich : possibility of crossing the border by Lake constance and part of theAustria via the highway 96. Then follow the same advice as for travelers from Salzburg.
From Benelux
- Since Luxembourg : the latter being the junction city of the other countries of this part of Europe, follow the motorway A3 then A31 once passed in France. Two options are then possible: continue on this same path then by the N57 and N66 Between Nancy and the Vosges then take the highways A36 and A35 around Mulhouse to cross the border at Basel, the other choice being to take the highway A4 Between Metz and Strasbourg then follow the free highway A35 to the Swiss border. These two routes passing by Basel then allow easy access to the towns of Zurich and of Geneva by the country's motorway network, in just a few hours.
From theItaly
- Since Milan : successively take the highways AT 8 and A9 said "Lakes Highway"and cross the border at Chiasso to Ticino. The connection is made directly to the motorway 2 which leads to Zurich and Basel.
- Since Turin : after having traveled the motorway AT 5 by Aosta, it is good to go through the France by crossing the Mont-Blanc Tunnel (toll) if you want to get to Geneva. To reach other towns in Switzerland, you have to turn off at Aosta by the road SS27E27 and the half-highway T2 then take the Grand-Saint-Bernard Tunnel (toll), you arrive by Valais by Martigny on the road 21E27. To continue in the direction of Lausanne or from If we, take the highway 9.
- Since Genoa : follow the highway A26 then the road S33 to the border via the Simplon Pass. Entry into Switzerland takes place on the road 9 from where you can reach other towns by branching off at Brig. If you wish to follow an exclusively motorway route, refer to the recommendations of motorists from Milan and of Turin depending on your destination.
Circulate
By train
Switzerland has a very good cadenced train system organized around several public or private train companies. [1] : the same train leaves every hour at the same minute on the same platform (for example the Geneva-Basel train leaves at 6 h 13, 7 h 13, 8 h 13, etc ...). Between 2 intermediate stations, there may be several intermediate connections (for example up to 5 connections per hour and per direction between Geneva and Lausanne).
It is forbidden to smoke in the train, although it is still possible to take advantage of the smoking stops on the platform. The stops are short (less than a minute for regional trains, at 03 min for national trains), the on-board staff decides on departure.
The train is relatively expensive, but is by far the best way to see. A trip from Geneva to Lausanne (60 km) cost 21,8 Fr. one-way ticket in 2nd class. A train ticket can be bought:
- either on the website of CFF, by printing the ticket,
- by going to the ticket office CFF,
- at the electronic terminals located on the station platforms,
It is advisable to obtain a half-price subscription (175 Fr. for a year, approximately 143 €) if you plan to use the train as a means of travel across the country (two return journeys Basel-Sion in 2nd class are enough to make it profitable). Indeed, with this one you will pay all your train and postbus tickets, whatever the companies, half price. In addition, many urban networks grant discounts to half-fare holders.
We can also be interested in a day pass at 71 Fr. if you plan to travel a lot in one and the same day. International travelers can take advantage of the Swiss Travel Pass which offers the use of all Swiss public transport at a reduced price. Children accompanied by a parent holding this Pass travel for free.
In addition to the national network, a multitude of small lines even serve small villages. For remote valleys or unserved villages, there is a post bus very practical.
There are also a few tourist train lines such as the Pilatus and Rigi mountains in Lucerne and the famous Bernina Express Between Chur and Tirano.
Public transport in cities
Large cities all have an urban and suburban network.
Bus and trolleybus lines crisscross the cities, the tram exists in the most important cities, the urban network of Lausanne remains to this day the only one to have at least one metro line in all of Switzerland.
Nighttime services are also provided by certain networks, often through subcontracting.
The prices are generally scaled according to a system of concentric zones or not. It takes several Swiss francs for a ticket to connect two distant points in a city. Valid subscriptions 24 h are also available, it takes about 7 Fr. in Lausanne for such a title. It should also be noted that the CFF (Federal Railways) sometimes offer combined offers allowing you to travel by train and use public transport in the same city and its surroundings, like a suburban railway line. . Tickets can be bought at the counters of commercial agencies, automatic distributors are located at stations and in stations served by a connecting urban network.
Access to public transport is very often facilitated for people with reduced mobility, "door-to-door" services are also offered by some companies.
- Postbus
By car
Driving licenses issued by one of the states of the European Union are valid in Switzerland, the international license may be required for travelers from countries outside this continent. Wearing a seat belt is compulsory in every seat in the vehicle; it is forbidden to make phone calls while driving except when using a hands-free kit.
Road signs meet current international standards, bilingualism is sometimes used in areas where the official language is changed.
However, never lose sight of the fact that motorway signs are green and ordinary roads blue, local destinations are displayed on a white background. This information is often recalled on the axes of neighboring countries passing close to the Swiss border.
All the cities are connected by an excellent motorway network, the mountainous areas are served by well-maintained ordinary roads and are generally accessible in snowy weather. Do not forget that the use of highways is subject to the payment of a tax which is justified by the display of a sticker on the windshield, whether it is to travel the whole country or simply to avoid the crossing of 'agglomeration.
Signs remind us of the compulsory use of the sticker at each entry to the section concerned.
The regulatory use of snow chains and studded tires is indicated by signs at the entrance to each mountain road. Possession of a warning triangle and a fluorescent vest are compulsory in all circumstances.
Speed limits in force in the territory:
- Highway: 120 km / h (In German-speaking Switzerland when approaching large cities, often limited to 80 km / h )
- Fast lane (called semi-motorway ...): 100 km / h
- Route: 80 km / h
- City : 50 km / h (sometimes raised to 60 km / h in certain peripheral areas.
- Zones 30 km / h : 30 km / h.
- Meeting areas: 20 km / h
- Pedestrian zones: prohibited to traffic
The maximum authorized blood alcohol level is 0.5 mg/ l and there are often checks.
Wearing seat belts is compulsory at the front and rear of the vehicle.
Since January 1, 2014, all motorized vehicles must turn on the dipped beam headlights day and night.
It should also be noted that drivers are liable to severe penalties in Switzerland, or even to the immediate confiscation of the vehicle.
The fines are particularly steep, as soon as the slightest violation is observed.
Remember that the movement of goods transport vehicles with an authorized weight of from 3.5 tons is prohibited every night Between 22 h and 5 h, public transport vehicles and motorhomes are in no way affected by this restriction, whatever their characteristics.
To get an idea of the rules to be respected as a road user, it is good to read the following document and to bring a reserve of CHF "just in case": *Tariff of fines
Infrastructure and services
Petrol stations are located across the country, even in the most mountainous areas and near the center of large cities. The opening hours applied are on average 6 h - 22 h, some do not close at night but this becomes exceptional outside the motorway network. A store of useful articles and auxiliary consumables is often attached to it. International and local oil brands are of course established in Switzerland.
There are two kinds of motorway areas ... Service areas which include, in addition to a large car park, a petrol station and a restaurant, a hotel establishment sometimes completes the other facilities. Their interval is approximately 30 kilometers on the most important axes, the services offered are generally of very good quality. Simple stops or car parks are also located along the routes, preferably only used for shorter stops.
Any motorway restaurant or cafeteria in Switzerland is usually referred to as a "restoroute".
Taxes
The use of Swiss motorways (by car and motorbike) is subject to the use of a sticker to stick on the top and left side of the windshield or even behind the interior mirror like a payment badge. .
It is possible to get this sesame in customs offices when crossing the border, in post offices as well as in automobile clubs and almost all gas stations. It costs 40 Fr. (that is 33 € approximately) and its validity extends from December 1 of the previous year to January 31 of the following year. For example, a sticker for the year 2012 is therefore valid from December 1, 2011 to . This badge contains the last two digits of the current year as well as a reference color allowing rapid identification by the control services.
Be careful if you are towing a caravan or a trailer, know that you will certainly have to buy a second sticker to stick on the front part of it.
Taking the motorway in Switzerland can therefore be expensive if you make a trip as minimal as it is occasional, on the other hand it is very cheap if you walk on it regularly or if you cross the country in its width. .
In the event of accidental breakage of the windshield bearing the said valid sticker, it is possible to request a new one free of charge upon presentation of the old one and the invoice from the mechanic who carried out the repair work.
If you notice a printing defect on a recently purchased sticker, do not hesitate to have it exchanged at the point of sale concerned, this process is also free.
The lack of a sticker is punishable by a fine of 200 Fr. (from December 1, 2011) as well as its immediate purchase obligation. Please note that any improperly removed sticker automatically loses its validity.
Owners of vehicles of larger weight and size must pay a named fee R.P.L.P. jointly valid in Switzerland as well as in the principality of Liechtenstein. The amount of this is in principle fixed according to the characteristics of the vehicle presented as well as the distance to be covered and / or the duration chosen, whether by road or by motorway. Always keep the proof on board the vehicle (no sticker to stick) and present it to the control services if necessary. It is generally purchased at customs offices when crossing the border. Exemptions exist according to specific cases.
A lane reserved for users already holders of the sticker exists on customs platforms if you enter Switzerland directly by the motorway.
By bike
A large network [2] for bicycles exists with many signs.
In some towns and in some train stations there are possibilities to rent bicycles.
On a boat
The main lakes in Switzerland have a navigation service. During the winter, the hours are not very dense. But in summer it can become very interesting to travel by boat (sometimes still circulate by steam in regular service).
- timetables for all of Switzerland: http://www.cff.ch
- information:
- Lake Geneva : http://www.cgn.ch/
- Lakes of Thun and Brienz: http://www.bls.ch/schiff/index_f.html
- Lake Biel: http://www.bielersee.ch/f/accueil/
- Lakes of Neuchâtel and Murten: http://www.navig.ch/navigation.php?id=9&page=accueil&lang=fr
- Lake Constance: http://www.bsb-online.com/
- Lake Zug: http://www.zugersee-schifffahrt.ch
To speak
The official languages are:
- German (63.7% of the population, north, center, and east)
- Residents of German-speaking cantons usually speak Swiss German (a set of dialects quite similar to German), but almost everyone in cities and young people all over the country can also speak German because it is the official language and must be learned at school.
- French (20.4%, in the west)
- Italian (6.5%, mainly in the south in Ticino and in certain valleys in Graubünden)
- Romansh (0.5%, in Graubünden)
- The remaining 9.0% are foreign languages.
Normally, French is learned by German speakers from primary school. However, many German speakers are not able to conduct a conversation in French, the reverse is also true. The language issue is sometimes a source of discord between French-speaking and German-speaking Swiss, but without any real crisis. The Ticinese and the Romansh speakers, linguistic minorities in the country, are those who do best, often being able to express themselves in the three languages: French being a neighboring language (and Latin like Italian) and German being the most important language of the country.
English is also widespread.
French-speaking Switzerland
For centuries, the beauty of the Alps has aroused the admiration of travelers from all over Europe and around the world. As a result, a tourist tradition has been anchored for a long time. French-speaking Switzerland benefits from a privileged geographical location, with the Alpine chain, its large lakes, the Jura Arc and many other assets. The climate is favorable for winter sports and also for summer tourism. The Rhône plain and the lakes region benefit from a very mild climate.
Its infrastructure is important : An international airport [3], a highly developed road and rail network, small mountain trains, post buses [4] funiculars, cable cars, chairlifts and last generation ski lifts and the highest cable car in Europe. Kilometers of marked Nordic ski slopes, hundreds of kilometers of hiking and mountain biking trails, a great cultural presence and an internationally renowned gastronomy.
A concentration of all the tourist elements on a small territory where all the mountain resorts are integrated into the public transport network.
German-speaking Switzerland
German-speaking Switzerland is the largest region in Switzerland. Its inhabitants speak Swiss-German. This region is home to the largest cities in the country.
In German-speaking Switzerland, the language, or dialect, spoken is Swiss-German. However, it should be noted that each region speaks it differently, with its own accent and expressions, for example: Bärntütsch (Bern), Züritütsch (Zurich), etc.
German-speaking Switzerland is very well served internationally, with two international airports, the Zurich International Airport [5] and Euroairport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg [6].
Italian Switzerland
Beautiful. Ticino is a splendid canton. A canton with a temperate and often sunny climate.
To buy
- The Swiss franc consists of coins of 5, 10, 20.50 centimes and 1, 2, 5 francs (100 cents = 1 franc) and banknotes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 1000 francs. Its official abbreviation is CHF, but French-speaking people more often write Frs.
- The majority of businesses accept credit cards and it is easy to find ATMs for withdrawing cash. Look for indications like Postomat Where ATM for cash dispensers. Some large brands (Migros, Coop) and businesses accept the euro but at an exchange rate different from the market.
- However, you should note that the cost of living in Switzerland is considerably higher than in the euro zone. So plan a significant budget.
Example of comparison: an adult cinema ticket without deduction: 16 to 19 Fr., not to mention the supplement for 3D cinema.
- You can also buy Reka checks[7] on sale in Coop stores with a 3% discount (only on presentation of the Supercard (loyalty card). You can pay with these vouchers in some 6,900 companies and establishments in the Swiss tourism and transport sectors (railways and transport in Switzerland). cables, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, Reka Vacations and many more) who gladly accept Reka Checks as payment Example: You buy REKA Checks with a value of 100 Fr. To 97 Fr..
- The VAT rate is 7.7% for everyday goods, 2.5% for basic necessities and 3.7% for hotels.
Eat
Fondue, whatever half half or vacherin
Raclette
Rösti
Chocolate, preferably milk
Swiss cuisine is rather rustic and reflects the alpine character of the country, in particular through its world-famous specialties such as fondue and raclette. Milk chocolate, more sophisticated, was however also invented on the shores of Lake Geneva.
There are also many specialties specific to each canton, from Geneva prune tart to Zurich-style sliced veal, Vaudois papet and Ticino-style polenta - to be tasted preferably in a small grotto overlooking the valley.
- Swiss restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide
To drink
The major wine regions of the country are Valais, the Lake Geneva region (Geneva, La Côte, Lavaux) and Ticino. There are also excellent wines in Bern and Neuchatel. As for spirits, we will taste Valais williamine and apricotine, absinthe from Val-de-Travers, as well as kirsch from Zug and Rigi.
Beer, cider, and wine may only be sold to persons 16 years of age or older. As for spirits and strong alcohols as well as alcopops, the minimum age is 18 years.
Housing
- Swiss Youth Hostels
To learn
Schematically, the Swiss education system can be divided into three levels:
- the primary,
- The secondary,
- tertiary.
As preparation at the primary level, a distinction is made between the pre-primary level. The secondary level is further subdivided into two parts, one forming part of compulsory schooling, the other more.
The pre-primary level: The pre-primary level is not compulsory but prepares children for compulsory education and is a right enjoyed by children in all cantons which offer it.
The primary level and the secondary level I: Compulsory schooling forms the basis of the Swiss school system. This generally lasts nine years. It is divided between the primary level and the secondary level I. In most cantons, the primary level lasts 6 years. Secondary level I follows, generally for a period of 3 years. With him the compulsory schooling ends.
Secondary level II: Secondary II is the first phase of post-compulsory education. It includes all vocational and general education programs.
Maturities: The Swiss government and the cantons decided in 1995 to reform the gymnasial maturity (called federal maturity and equivalent to the baccalaureate). It is the only type of maturity allowing direct entry to university, with the exception of the few faculties requiring an entrance exam (medicine, school of translation and interpreter, sports, etc.)
La nouvelle réglementation prévoit un seul type de maturité, une réduction du nombre de matières d'études et d'examens ainsi qu'un travail de maturité. En 1993 déjà, avec l'introduction de la maturité professionnelle, le gouvernement et les cantons ont exprimé leur volonté d'améliorer les conditions générales de la formation professionnelle.
La maturité professionnelle est basée sur la pratique et doit permettre aux diplômés d'entamer des études dans une haute école spécialisée (mais pas une université). Il existe actuellement cinq maturités professionnelles différentes: technique, commerciale, artisanale, artistique et technico-agricole.
Malgré une interruption du programme Erasmus en 2014 à la suite de tensions entre l'Union Européenne et la Suisse (en réponse à la remise en question de la libre circulation des personnes par le peuple suisse), ce pays participe à ce programme. Il est donc possible de faire des échanges dans les principales universités suisses et dans les écoles polytechniques réputées que sont l'École Polytechnique Fédérale de Zurich (EPFZ ou ETHZ en allemand) et celle de Lausanne (EPFL). Il ne faut cependant pas oublier que les coûts de la vie sont élevés en Suisse et que les (environ) 500 Fr. de bourse Erasmus ne permettent pas d'y vivre.
To work
Depuis l'introduction de la libre circulation des personnes il est devenu possible pour tout citoyen de l'Union européenne de venir travailler en Suisse.
Site d'information de la Confédération relatif au travail en Suisse http://www.ch.ch
Communications
Call
L'indicatif pour la Suisse est le 41.
Les communications à partir des cabines téléphoniques peuvent être payées via carte de crédit ou via des Taxcard disponibles dans le commerce. Il est aussi possible de payer, dans certains cas, en monnaie avec des francs suisses ou des euros. Elles fournissent aussi d'autres services tels que l'envoi de SMS, de courriels et de fax grâce à des écrans situés à côté du combiné.
Il existe quatre opérateurs principaux en Suisse pour les téléphones portables (couramment appelés natels quelle que soit la région linguistique) : Swisscom, Salt, Sunrise et UPC. D'autres sociétés proposent des abonnements et cartes prépayées (sous-traitées à ces opérateurs), notamment CoopMobile (Coop) et MBudget Mobile (Migros) qui sont les deux principales chaînes de magasins en Suisse et sont aussi devenues des opérateurs de réseau mobile virtuel et vendent des cartes prépayées dans tous leurs magasin pour 15 à 20 Fr..
Vous pouvez aussi obtenir facilement des cartes à prépaiement en vous rendant dans des magasins de téléphonie mobile. Depuis 2003, il est obligatoire de posséder une carte d'identité pour pouvoir obtenir une carte SIM. Les opérateurs utilisent le système GSM 900/1800 et proposent tous de l'internet mobile (3, 4 voire 5G (encore rare) dans la plupart des endroits et parfois que de l'EDGE dans les zones plus reculées).
Les numéros d'urgences à retenir sont détaillés dans la section « Security ».
Internet
Il y a plusieurs moyens de se connecter à internet :
- De nombreux cafés, restaurants et bars ont un accès WiFi gratuit.
- Dans la plupart des hôtels et des auberges de jeunesse, il y a des bornes internet ou/et du WiFi (parfois payant).
- Wifi public : la plupart des villes de Suisse disposent d'un accès internet WiFi public dans les parcs et sur les places (parfois payant, parfois gratuit).
- Les internet cafés : leur prix est de quelques francs pour une heure mais ceux-ci sont difficiles à trouver car très peu nombreux.
- Dans les cafés Starbuck's et les restaurants McDonalds.
- Certains magasins comme Manor dispose de WiFi gratuit pour les clients.
Manage the day-to-day
Health
European citizens
Citizens ofEuropean Union (EU), who fall unexpectedly ill during a temporary stay, studies or a professional stay, are entitled to the same medical care as in their country of residence. It is always useful to take the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which constitutes physical proof of your insurance in an EU country. However, if you do not have the card with you or if you cannot use it (as in the case of private assistance), you are still entitled to treatment, but you are obliged to pay the costs on the spot. , then you will ask for a refund on your return.
The countries in which health coverage is provided are all those that are members of theEuropean Union (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary , Ireland , Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden), those ofEuropean Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), the Swiss, the UK and the Oversea territories member of the European Union (Azores, Canary Islands, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Madeira, Martinique, Mayotte, The meeting, Saint-Martin).
Security
 | Emergency telephone number: All emergency services:112 Police :117 Ambulance:144 Firefighter :118 Rega :1414Garde aérienne suisse de sauvetage en cas d'urgence dans un lieu inaccessible par la route Secours routier :140 Tox Info Suisse :145en cas d’intoxication Police CFF :0800 117 117en cas de problème dans un train |
La Suisse est un pays sûr mais il est tout de même bon de prendre les précautions d'usage, particulièrement dans les grandes villes : ne pas laisser d'objets apparents dans la voiture, ne pas laisser son portefeuille dépasser d'une poche...
Drogue
Contrairement à une idée répandue en Europe, le cannabis n'est pas légalisé en Suisse. Même si la police est considérée comme relativement tolérante à ce sujet, elle est devenue impitoyable dans les trains et les transports publics à l'égard des consommateurs et lutte âprement contre les producteurs et revendeurs locaux.
Armes
Le port d'armes à feu est interdit en Suisse sauf autorisation particulière. Le port de certaines catégories d'armes est prohibé (couteaux à cran d'arrêt, matraque, etc.).
Particularité helvétique : les citoyens effectuant leur service militaire possèdent tous un fusil d'assaut ou un pistolet à la maison. Il n'est pas rare de croiser des militaires avec ces armes (non chargées). Chaque année, des "cours de répétition" d'au moins trois semaines et des "tirs obligatoires" ont lieu.
Government travel advice
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Belgium (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) 
Canada (Government of Canada) 
France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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Respect
Selon la coutume suisse, dans les magasins, on dit bonjour, merci, au revoir et même bonne journée. Si ce n'est pas le cas et notamment dans les grandes villes, vous êtes probablement tombé sur quelqu'un qui ne connaît pas les traditions locales. En Suisse alémanique, la courtoisie est encore plus essentielle. Ainsi, les germanophones s'offusquent lorsqu'un Allemand leur demande "en toute efficacité" Une livre de pain et pas Bonjour. J'aimerais une livre de pain s'il-vous-plaît. Veillez à apprendre par cœur des formules telles que "Grüezi. Ich hätte gern ..." puis "Merci, Adieu, Schönen Tag (ou gliichfalls, si votre interlocuteur a été le plus rapide à souhaiter une bonne journée)", le tout avec le sourire. Pas d'inquiétude, si vous sortez votre plus bel allemand et qu'on vous répond en français, ce n'est pas pour vous signaler que votre accent vous trahit mais parce que les Suisses alémaniques préfèrent mille fois se dépatouiller avec le français appris à l'école que de s'exprimer dans la langue de leur voisin du nord.
Lorsque vous vous promenez dans un village ou en nature, si un parfait inconnu vous dit bonjour, cela ne signifie pas qu'il veut engager la conversation avec vous, il s'agit simplement d'une expression de politesse. Dans les villes, cela se fait rarement.
La Suisse est un pays multiculturel où cohabitent des personnes de nombreuses nationalités. Les Suisses apprécient cette diversité mais souhaitent que les étrangers s'adaptent à leur mode de vie. Il y a cependant une tolérance certaine pour les tempéraments plus sanguins. Ainsi, en période de championnat de football, la police ferme les yeux lorsque les supporters portugais, italiens, espagnols ou autres fêtent bruyamment une victoire.
Sachez que les Suisses sont soucieux du maintien de l'ordre public et surtout du respect de la sphère privée, de sorte que la police peut être amenée à intervenir en cas de tapage (diurne ou nocturne dès 22 h, y compris pour le bruit d'une douche trop fort) ou pour toute autre infraction que ce soit pour un vol de vélo pourtant cadenassé par son propriétaire ou un vol à l'arrachée. Restez poli avec les agents et les douaniers... ils feront de même. Les contrôles policiers sont plutôt rares mais il vaut mieux que vous ayez toujours vos papiers en règle sur vous. Bien que cela soit courant, la drague de rue est également considérée comme malpolie et déplacée.
Loin d'être un stéréotype, la Suisse figure parmi les pays les plus "propres" au monde quoi qu'on en dise. Dans certains cantons, comme à Berne, le jet d'un mégot par terre peut vous coûter 40 francs, ne pas ramasser une déjection canine 80 francs et jeter un déchet par la fenêtre de votre voiture 100 francs. A Lausanne, tout abandon de déchets sauvages dans l'espace public coûte 150 francs. Ces montants varient d'un canton à l'autre et il vaut donc mieux rester prudent. Même s'il est extrêmement rare de voir la police verbaliser un comportement désinvolte concernant le respect de l'environnement (mégot de cigarette jeté par terre ou déchet déposé ailleurs que dans une poubelle), par respect et comme cela devrait se faire partout, il est conseillé de conserver une ligne de conduite "exemplaire".
Au volant et au guidon, la courtoisie est de rigueur surtout aux abords des passages piétons où tout le monde s'arrête lorsqu'une personne est sur le point de s'engager, le piéton ayant toujours la priorité! Réciproquement, les piétons attendent scrupuleusement le passage du feu au vert pour pouvoir traverser, même si dans l'attente on ne voit aucun véhicule à proximité immédiate.
Les gens voient d'un mauvais œil tout retard à un rendez-vous. Mieux vaut être 5 à 10 minutes en avance plutôt qu'en retard. Si vous deviez tout de même arriver en retard à un rendez-vous, prévenez aussi vite que possible la personne concernée en vous excusant et en disant le temps de retard estimé.
Si vous êtes invités chez un Suisse, pensez à apporter un petit quelque chose. Une bouteille de vin, un dessert, une boîte de chocolat ou de biscuits fait en général l'affaire : c'est le geste qui compte, pas le prix ni la quantité.
