Let’s take to the mountains with this travel diary in French-speaking Switzerland. Matilda, a French student from Munich, spent a week of her holiday perfecting her skills in Lausanne. She joined her classmates for French lessons in the morning and learnt what makes Romandy, its landscapes, specialities and accent so unique!
Let’s join Matilda as she introduces us to Swiss scenery and traditions.
Welcome to Romandy
We spent our French language holiday in Romandy. What is Romandy and why come here to learn French? It’s the French-speaking region of Switzerland and home to several cantons (Vaud, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Valais etc.) where French is the main language but with a few cute differences!
Medieval Lausanne and hot chocolate!
Lausanne was our base: we spent several days exploring every bit of the city and studying French in the morning. It’s a pretty Swiss city nestled between Lake Geneva and the Alps: a feast for the eyes.
We hit the cobbled streets in the old town as soon as we got here: there are lots of beautifully unspoilt half-timbered houses. After wandering the Vieux Lausanne lanes, we sampled the best hot chocolate in the city at a little café near Place Palud.
Lausanne Cathedral
Next stop: Lausanne Cathedral in all its Gothic glory!
The 13th century cathedral in uptown Lausanne has unobstructed views of the city and Lake Geneva. It was worth it just for the views! Ladies from Lausanne are said to have the best legs in the world… because of the hills they have to walk up every day!
We walked through the pretty painted doorway (a rare sight!) and visited the many realistic statues of biblical characters inside the cathedral. Everything about the place is incredible, from the stained-glass windows to the lofty belfry.
The guide told us about a tradition that’s been around for 600 years: every night between 10pm and 2am, the husky watchman calls out the hours to Lausanne’s locals!!! Who needs a cuckoo?
The Olympic Museum in Lausanne
Lausanne is the Olympic capital: it’s home to the International Olympic Committee’s head office and the Olympic Museum. We simply couldn’t miss it! The futuristic and interactive exhibition taught us all about the history of the Olympic Games, elite athletes and their impact on society and politics. Films, archive photos, equipment: it’s an exciting and all-encompassing experience.
At the end of the tour, I tackled a challenge that turned out to be hilarious and ridiculous in equal measure. I competed against Usain Bolt in the 100m simulation! I’d barely got out of the starting blocks before the red light lit up: Usain Bolt had already crossed the finish line…
Life on Lake Geneva
It was my favourite thing about our language stay in Switzerland.
Lake Geneva and how it changed colour over the course of the day and with the sky: it gave me a real sense of wellness! Watching the sailboats and graceful swans gliding along only made it more magical. We went there for lakeside walks and water sports (there’s lots to do, the Swiss love their water sports on the lake). We had a go at paddle boarding after a picnic on Vidy beach! It was a big hit with everyone on the huge lake with the Alps in the background.
Two days later we got to go on a boat trip to see the landscapes around the lake and the terraced vineyards in the Vaud canton.
Gruyères and the Cheese Factory
After Lausanne, we caught the train to Gruyères, a village famous for its medieval castle and namesake cheese. With or without holes? We got the answer at the Maison du Gruyère cheese factory where we visited maturing cellars (home to up to 7000 wheels!) and learnt the art of making cheese. The outing ended on a high with an amazing gruyère tasting. Being in the lush green meadows of Switzerland made the cheese taste even better!
Cailler and the Chocolate Factory
What comes after the cheese course? Dessert! We visited Maison Cailler next door to Château de Gruyères for an interactive tour of the legendary chocolate factory to learn the history behind chocolate and how it’s made. We’re now experts in all things chocolate: where cacao comes from, chocolate making techniques, different aromas and ways to eat it, how to store it and the best recipes to showcase it. Naturally, the tour ended with a mouth-watering tasting session! We didn’t want to leave so we stayed for a chocolate and praline making workshop: we all went home with our own little box of treats (they didn’t last long).
A trip back in time in Montreux
Visiting Montreux is like stepping inside a time machine: the village is simply magical with its cobbled streets and 13th century winemaker’s houses. It’s hilly! Even hillier than Lausanne! Countless famous names have explored Montreux’s streets and studios: Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Tolstoy, Hemingway and even Freddie Mercury.
As we walked along the shore of Lake Geneva, which glittered turquoise blue that sunny day, we gazed at beautiful manors sitting on the waterfront. Belle Epoque-style villas and mansions line the lake with palm trees and other beautiful plants standing tall among them.
Next, we made our way to Montreux’s iconic Château de Chillon, sitting pretty on a rocky island in the middle of Lake Geneva. A series of constructions and extensions began in the 12th century to make the fortress what it is today. It has an unspoilt, beautiful keep in the middle surrounded by a main building linked by a wall walk. Chillon is one of few water castles with a bridge to connect it to the land (it used to have a drawbridge and you can still see the pulleys used to operate it).
Fondue, a seasonal sensation!
Despite it being a hot and sunny June, we tried the local speciality: fondue!
It’s always a winner, especially when everyone gathers round a fiery fondue pot filled with creamy, mouth-watering cheese. We certainly filled up on the calories and energy we needed to tackle the rest of the day. We all got into the swing of things and followed the rules: if you drop your bread in the fondue, you have to pay the price! It was a golden opportunity for us to test out our French words and expressions and it brought us all closer together!
Geneva and the Smurfs
Lots of us were confused when we went to Geneva: no, it isn’t the Swiss capital. Bern is!
Geneva may be an international city but it’s definitely Swiss! We all fell in love with a unique district in Geneva that stands out for its architecture: Les Grottes a.k.a. the Smurfs Buildings. Craftsmen used to live in the colourful little buildings and over-the-top architecture, but mainly artists live here nowadays. There are curved walls, butterfly balconies and toadstool posts along the street. It reminded me of Gaudì in Barcelona with his Casa Mila!
What sets Swiss French apart?
We spent two hours perfecting our French in class every morning, then spent the rest of the day testing out our knowledge with activities and experiences with the Swiss locals. The people who live in Romandy have their own unique accent and vocabulary. They use local, idiomatic expressions that surprised us and even made us smile. People in French-speaking Switzerland say “septante” for 70 and “nonante” for 90, which felt strange to begin with but made sense once I got used to it. Then there’s “pédzer” (to stick) and “il roille” (it’s pouring down). We made games and comprehension challenges out of the dialect so we could soak up the local culture and community.
After visiting Paris and Marseille, it was a joy to explore French-speaking Romandy in Switzerland with my classmates. I loved its sweeping scenery and tranquil Lake Geneva. I adored experiencing a whole new culture celebrating outdoor sports, mountains and rib-sticking dishes. My French language skills have improved, I’d even say they’ve been enriched, but I’m sorry to say I don’t have a Swiss accent!