To discover an region
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French speaking Switzerland, also called Suisse Romande,
an ideal destination for your holidays.
Choose an region of Suisse Romande
Romandie : French speaking Switzerland
 What makes Romandie or Suisse Romande so attractive?
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Romandie borders France and Italy in the South/South-West of Switzerland. Romandie includes all the beauties of this part of the world and even more…
The variety of its landscapes, like plains, mountains, lakes and rivers make it a little paradise in the heart of Europe.
French speaking Switzerland has deep lake traditions linked to its « Lac Leman », also called « Lac of Geneva » which is the biggest lake in Western Europe. Also a large Alpine tradition stems from the presence of the highest mountains of the Swiss Alps with more than 30 summits culminating above 4000 metres. Among those we find summits of worldwide reputation like the Cervin (Matterhorn), the Mischabel range, the Mont-Rose or the Dent Blanche.
High-tech means of transportation will take you to incredibly high altitudes. Warm and well equipped resorts, allowing for year around activities, welcome thousands of tourists every year.
You will not only find breathtaking sceneries, but also a quality of life recognised by the large number of travellers visiting every year. Culture, gastronomy, sports, warm and friendly welcoming as well as security make it equally a destination appreciated by business women and men, showbiz and political personalities.
Suisse Romande is recognised worldwide as being the cradle of the Swiss watch industry and the centre of micromechanics. It is also home of multiple international sports federations. Among those the IOC or International Olympic Committee in Lausanne, the UEFA or Union of European Football Association in Nyon. Many headquarters of NGO or Non-Governmental Organization as well as international governmental agencies are located in Geneva. Among these, let’s name the most famous like UN or United Nations, WHO, ILO, WTO, ICRC, IATA. |
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Let your heart speak…and a region of Romandie will be yours
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| Ideal for activities linked to the lake, to the proximity of large cities like Geneva and Lausanne, to the cultural life and of course to shopping in the most famous boutiques. It is one region and four different worlds i.e. city-rural-mountain-lake over two km2 only. |
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| A green or snow covered nature depending of the season, all types of sports which can be practiced year around; ski areas with easy access for all and the proximity of Lake Leman make it an ideal destination for your holidays. |
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| To ski or to stroll in the permanent snow in the morning and to swim in the Lake Leman in the afternoon is a must. A green or snow covered nature depending of the season, all types of sports which can be practiced year around; ski areas with easy access for all and the proximity of Lake Leman make it an ideal destination for your holidays.
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| When snow is covering the valleys and the mountains, winter is favourable to long treks on skies or snowshoes. The rest of the year you can explore walking, on bike or on horse. You will discover a well protected nature strolling through small valleys, pastures, woods, lakes and rivers. |
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| Far away from the excitement of the big cities and tourist resorts, but close to the Alpes after all, it is a region for quite, smooth and ecological holidaying. |
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| It is the paradise of the mountaineer, with its breathtaking peaks, its scenic valleys, its charming and typical villages, its sports resorts, its chairlifts and other modern and safe means to the top as well as its landscapes. All this makes it one of the world favourite tourists’ destination. |
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Canton of Jura
Created in 1979, the Republic and Canton of the Jura is the newest of the 26 Swiss cantons. It is located in the northwest part of Suisse Romande (French-speaking Switzerland). That capital is Delémont. It shares borders with the Canton of Basel, the Canton of Bern and her French department of Jura and the Canton of Solothurn.
Geography
The Canton of Jura consists of parts of the Jura Mountains in the south and the countryside in the north. The Jura countryside is hilly and almost entirely limestone. The Ajoie area and Franches-Montagnes area lie in this region. The River Doubs and the river Birs drain the lands. The Doubs joins the Saône (France), whereas the Birs is a tributary to the Rhine.
History
The region was a sovereign state within the Holy Roman Empire for more than 800 years. After the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 the Jura had close relations with the Swiss Confederation. In the Congress of Vienna the Jura was given to the Canton Bern. This act caused dissension. The Jura was French-speaking and Roman Catholic, whereas the canton of Bern was mostly German-speaking and Protestant. The people of the Jura region called for independence. After a long struggle, a constitution was accepted in 1977. In 1978 the split was made official when the Swiss people voted in favor of it, and in 1979 the Jura joined the Swiss Confederation as a full member. However, the southern part of the Jura region, which is also predominantly French-speaking but has a Protestant majority, opted not to join the newly-formed canton, and instead remained part of Bern. This area is now known as Bernese Jura. The word Jura, therefore, may refer either to Canton Jura, or to the combined territory of Canton Jura and Bernese Jura.
On creation, the canton adopted the title Republic and Canton of the Jura.
Economy
Agriculture is important in Canton Jura. Cattle breeding is significant, but there is also horse breeding. The main industries are the watches and the micro-technical. There are a growing number of small and middle-sized. businesses.
Transport
The motorways A16 connect the canton of Jura with other areas of Switzerland. The main railway (CFF in French - SBB in German) between Geneva and Lausanne passes by Neuchâtel and Biel (Bienne in French).
The railway CJ (Railway of Jura - Chemin de fer du Jura in French) crosses all Jura.
Demographics
The population is almost entirely French-speaking. The majority is Roman Catholic.
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Switzerland
