Place in Vaud, Switzerland
Photo: Ypsilon from Finland, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Nyon is a small town on the western shore of Lake Geneva, Switzerland. The Romans who founded the settlement in the 1st century BC called it Noviodunum. Today you can visit a few Roman ruins and a Roman museum.
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Nyon Castle, a 12th-century fortress above Lake Geneva, contains the History and Porcelain Museum. Its former prison in the attic is open to the public. From the terrace visitors can enjoy the magnificent view out over Lake Geneva and the Alps and even have access to the Castle’s kitchen garden, still in use.
Artifacts from the Roman age from the area, such as amphoras, old coins, and parts of murals and statues.
A museum about Lake Geneva. There are vastly different things on display from photos and parts of ships to small aquaria with fish species living in the lake and a collection of stuffed land animals as well as works by artists and architects from the area and of course physical information on the lake itself and its properties and history.
Nyon is proud of its Roman ruins.
Must-see for all football fans. All the European Cups are on display inside the main building (if they let you in). Beautiful small park around the building with some football related memorabilia.
Château de Prangins
This castle from 1730 contains a museum, a park and an ancient pottery. The museum has a permanent exhibition about Swiss history from the 18th and 19th centuries and temporary exhibitions of different themes (art, history, culture).
Defensive fortifications of Vaud, 10 km long. Similar lines of concrete defensive blocks can be found all over Switzerland, though more commonly in border areas, with purpose to stop tank invasions. The blocks resemble Toblerone chocolate bar, hence the name. The line has been left to nature since its construction and hiking trail along their route was made.
One of the buildings of defensive line, disguised as a regular house, to not startle tourists. Nowadays, it is a museum-like building, with all the weapons and original services. A similar Villa Verte is nearby, but that one is on a private property and not commonly accessible.
Concert hall with varied program. Reasonably priced drinks.
Nyon is host to the largest European Music Festival every year in early July — called Paléo, the festival attracts Musicians and people from all around the world come to enjoy this wonderful festive atmosphere.
Nyon also hosts the Visions du Réel International film festival every April.
Pleasant café with sandwiches and pastries - fresh and delicious as you would expect in Switzerland.
Get a home-made chocolate at "Smoothies de Sophie".
Evening drinks and party at Cactus Jack, just in front of the train station.
The cheapest hotel in Nyon.
The second cheapest hotel.
The Villa Sanluca is a beautiful B&B guesthouse in Nyon with garden, swimming pool and 3 exceptional rooms with evocative names: La Vie en Rose, Rêve d’Eau and Parfum d’Orient. It's located in an old mansion close to the town centre in a quiet and private atmosphere. Hearty Swiss breakfast, wireless Internet access and car parking is included in the price.
Book store and photo gallery. In this book store there is a wide choice of works by photographers from the French-speaking Switzerland.
By boat
Cruises at Lake Geneva commonly call at Nyon.
By plane
Geneva's international airport has its own train station, and many of the intercity trains going east from Geneva start at the airport.
By car
Freeway M1 between Geneva and Lausanne passes near Nyon.
Nyon is small enough to cover on foot, although there is a bus network in the city too, with lines going to the surrounding villages.
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Geneva · International · GVA
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