We hope that you find this information helpful and that you enjoy your stay in Vevey.

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1 Welcome to Vevey! The Swiss Reviera is a beautiful area with lots to offer, but it can be hard to find your feet when you first arrive, especially if you don t speak the local language. To help, we have compiled a list of some of the local services and websites that our members have found helpful during their stay here. Many of the below websites are in French. If you do not yet speak French well, you can use an online translation service to change the information into your own language this is not a perfect translation, but can help. E.g. Doctors and Dentists etc. are not included as the Nestlé HR team will issue you with a list of doctors and what languages they speak. But feel free to ask people for recommendations when you talk to them at the playgroup. If you have anything you feel would be beneficial to add to this document, please send the details to: melitta1@bluewin.ch and we will include it in future editions of this document. We hope that you find this information helpful and that you enjoy your stay in Vevey. The Riviera Contact Group Playgroup. General advice and info for families Vaud Famille Parent.ch A site full of information and resources for families in the Canton of Vaud. Resources and info for families in Switzerland from the Red Cross in Vaud. Motherhood and Pregnancy Information in English for women in Switzerland. Lausanne Mom Centre Sages Femmes Baby Guide Swiss Maman Blues Nestlé Baby Appartenances Profa A site for parents in Lausanne A Vevey based centre of mid-wives (sagefemmes) who give support, advice and guidance on issues relating to pregnancy, babies and young children. Advice and information for parents in Switzerland. French language site with support for the Baby Blues and post-natal depression. Nutritional advice and information for babies. If you use Nestlé baby food, keep the Blue Bear points on each product and exchange these for Fischer Price toys a list is available at this website. Vevey immigration site. Information regarding sexual health. About the Vaud Maternity allocation

2 Local activities/clubs for toddlers and pre- school kids Kanagroo Kids, Vevey A fun, action packed session for toddlers and pre-schoolers accompanied by an adult. Little Arrows, Vevey La Maison Ou Verte, Vevey Passage Saint-Antoine 7, Vevey Music Together, Blonay Conservatoire de Musique Baby judo and Initiation à la danse Vevey / Lausanne Kids Baby Reads, Vevey Classes at the Theatre du Chateau, Rue du Chateau 7, La Tour de Peilz. Tel / Music and Movement Classes, Vevey Method Margaret Morris A toddler group featuring structured craft activities, free play, songs, stories etc. A playroom in the centre of Vevey for children aged 0-5 accompanied by an adult. It is free of charge, but a small donation is welcome. A mother and toddler group that explores music, rhythm and movement. Music classes for children aged 3-7 years. The Ecole Club Migros in Vevey has a range of courses for everyone. For kids aged 3-5 years, there are Judo and Dance classes. These are two Yahoo Groups that are useful to join. Both clubs organize kid friendly events in the area, especially in school holidays. The first Saturday of every month, from 09:00-11:00, there is a reading event for children aged 0-3 at the Vevey Library (Bibliothèque). Atelier dance, theatre, yoga kundalini, and body expression for kids aged 3+. Courses for kids, accompanied by an adult. To the exploration of music, songs, and dance in French. For children aged 6months 4 years. Dance, movement art, well being classes encouraging expression through play. For kids aged 3+. Local activities/clubs for older kids Many local clubs can also be found at: Bright Lights Drama Club Kids from 6-13 Theatre du Chateau, Rue du Chateau 7 La Tour de Peilz brightlights.drama@gmail.com Ecole Club Migros La Tour de Peilz Ludotheque The Ecole Club Migros in Vevey has a range of courses and activities for children and teenagers. A great way to entertain kids on rainy days is to rent games and toys from a Ludotheque. This one is at the Games museum in La Tour de Peilz.

3 Alimentarium Cooking Lessons Le Point Leisure club Espace Junior age 2+ Espace Les Moulins Passion Danse Ballet School Ecole de voile, Sailing School Institut Aux Meridiens Joyeux Local activities/clubs for adults American International Women s Club of Lausanne: Samedi Passion and other classes As well giving an insight into the history of food and nutrition the Nestlé Alimentarium also has cooking lessons for kids aged 5+. A chance for kids to take part in a range of activities including crafts and cooking. There is no need to subscribe and the activities are free of charge. A large indoor playground full of bouncy castles, slides, play houses etc. in Aigle. Activities for children, in Aigle. Ballet and Jazz Dance classes for children from 4 years of age. Group and private sailing lessons for children aged 7+ in La Tour de Peilz. Art-therapy for children, to help them explore their hearts and consolidate a positive identity. A useful way to meet people in the area and pick up local knowledge. They organize a range of events and publish a very useful book called: Living in Lausanne and the canton of Vaud. They also run the annual Living in Lausanne course Nestlé pays for expat spouses to attend this course, contact your HR rep for more info. The Ecole Club Migros in Vevey has a range of courses for everyone. From language to art, fitness to food. See website for more. Friday night Dance Classes at La Tour de Peilz Call Babette Pauchon, tél for more information. Avigal Yoga, La tour de Peilz and Chatel Toastmasters International Lausanne Glocals Fédération Suisse de Sports Subaquatiques A range of yoga classes, including Antenatal and mother and baby sessions. Teacher fluent in English and French. A friendly club that meets twice a month to practice public speaking skills. A great way to meet people and improve your presentation skills. A social network that meets offline to participate in a range of events in the region; from dance classes to hiking, lunches to parties. A great way to meet new people. Also has online city guides. Diving club with courses at the Vevey/Corseaux plage.

4 Wine Tasting Every Wednesday evening the Suisse Majestic Hotel in Montreux hosts a wine tasting evening. Swimming Pools and Classes Aqua Delfinee Les Canetons Vevey/Corseaux Plage Bassin de natation Saillon Thermal Spa Ovronnaz Thermal Baths Classes for kids from 5 months-5 years held at Les Eglantines, Vevey. Teachers are fluent in English and French. Local swimming club for kids of all ages. Vevey s indoor and outdoor pool Place des Anciens-Fossés 13, La Tour-de- Peilz Lovely thermal baths that allow babies and toddlers to use the pool. Another nice thermal spa that allow babies and toddlers (above Saillion). List of all Swiss Pools Learning French Virgile Formation The Creative Language Centre Ecole Club Migros BBC Learn French About French Vevey based language school Vevey based language school with a unique method. Ecole Club Migros has a centre in Vevey that offers a range of language lessons. Free online courses and resources to help you get started or improve your French. Free online French lessons. Also, sign up to receive a daily French lesson by . Family Friendly Attractions Loisirs.ch Les Marecottes An online magazine with lots of ideas of things to do in the region. A guide to leisure activities in the area. You can buy a passport and enjoy discounts at a wide range of tourist attractions in the region. A list of all the main museums in the regions and notification of their special events. A really nice alpine zoo above Monthey, lots of mountain animals to see in their

5 natural habitat. It also has a swimming pool built into the rock. Mines de Sel La Grotte aux fées Lake St Bernard boat trip Swiss Vapeur Parc Aquaparc Servion Zoo and Tropicariam Signal de Bougy Papilorama Lac Sauvabelin Mini Zoo Happy Land Labyrinth Adventure Olympic Museum Lavaux Express Chemin de fer Blonay-Chamby Farm with Petting Zoo The salt mines in Bex are suitable for all ages. But take a coat. The Fairy caves. If you like caves, you will find a reward at the end of your visit. The biggest underground lake in Europe, 30min ride into the cave s blue waters. Near Sierre & Crans Montana. A miniature railway that takes you around a mini Switzerland. A water paradise, with slides, pirate ship, lazy river, wave pool and more. Great fun, but pricey. A small, but nice zoo just 15 minutes from Vevey. A lovely park above Morges with a small farm, playgrounds for kids of all ages, an adventure park for older children and adults, a large restaurant and great views over the lake. Entrance is free! A nice butterfly farm around 45 minutes from Vevey. Get there early on wet days and take a packed lunch, the food offered on site is limited. This is a lovely little lake in Lausanne with a small zoo around its perimeter. There is also a playground and a nice walk through the woods. Free. A theme park in Valais, some rides are suitable for kids as young as 1 year old. The world's largest natural labyrinth! There are games within the maze and a playground at the end, as well as other activities like mini golf and climbing. Dedicated to the spirit of the Olympic games. Look out for their special events for kids around the times of the various Games. Also watch the Olympics at their cinema. Relax in Ouchy after your visit. A mini-train taking you through the panoramic vineyards of the Lavaux. A living steam train museum where you can ride the historical steam trains and enjoy the local landscape. A small farm just passed Servion that offers kids the opportunity to interact with its animals.

6 Guillemin Deer Park, Pully The Chocolate Train Parc Mon Repos, Lausanne Discovery walks in Lausanne Route du Vignoble de la Côte Dog Sledding, Glacier Toboggan Park, Leysin (winter) A nice park with a large playground, paddling pool and of course, deer! A beautiful old Pullman train taking you to Gruyere and then on to the Cailler Chocolate factory with plenty of time to sample the produce! There are also panoramic trains. Departs Montreux. Park with an exotic tropical bird aviary. Designed for 3-7 year olds, various themed walks are available, just download the appropriate PDF and follow the directions (in French). A guide to the craftsman and artisans in the La Côte region, between Lausanne and Geneva. Take a short ride on a sled pulled by Huskies through a glacier landscape. Chutes for snow tubes. Great fun for the brave. It is also next to the local iceskating rink. List of children s events and activities in the Geneva region Local Transport and Services Vevey Busses Lausanne Public Transport Local Family- friendly restaurants Manora Second floor, St.Antoine Shopping Centre Au Pays des Merveilles Avenue Général-Guisan 22 Domino Café Musee du Jeu, La Tour de Peilz Pizza Taxi, Quai Perdonnet 32, Vevey Molino, Rue du Simplon 45, Vevey Hostellerie de Genéve, Vevey The Swiss Chalet, Mont Pelerin Café La Marina, Vevey (on the lake front) Pizzeria Veneto, La Tour de Peliz Swiss Trains Boats on Lake Geneva Great kids menu and two kids areas available, outside with play area and inside with TV screen. Open until 8pm on Fridays. Has separate children s room with screen so you can watch them. Has a children s menu. Lovely courtyard during warm weather where you can eat and the kids can have a run around. Has a games room for children. Service can be slow. Has highchairs and friendly staff. Has a children s menu, but portions big enough for two to share. Local specialties, pizza and pasta. Swiss. At the top of the funicular railway. Nice café with a playground next to it. Italian. Spacious and friendly restaurant. Has a

7 La Buritaz, Chebrexs Auberge du Chalet-des-Enfants Le Mont-sur-Lausanne kids menu and highchairs. Large menu for adults. A restaurant with a little train for children. Swiss. Outside of Vevey but worth a mention. Indoor and outdoor area for kids and nice area for pram-friendly walks before/after your meal. Shopping Classifieds (buy and sell household items, cars, clothes etc.) Ricardo (Swiss ebay) Expat Market Place Anibis Announces Baby and Maternity Orchestra Jubilane Baby Zou Happy Baby Autour de Bebe Bebe Thrifty Economes Baby Mag eboutic Food and Beverages Self-Fruits Perroud Lumiere des Champs My Expat Shop & Britshop St. Antoine centre, Vevey. Baby products and children s clothes. Has good sales on clothes, but is expensive for baby products. Small shop in St. Legier selling maternity, baby and children s clothes. Also has online store. A large baby store 15 mins drive from Vevey. Friendly service in four languages, large choice and typically good value. Outlets in Crissier, Villeneve and Bulle. Good choice, often slightly cheaper than other stores. Large store in Etoy with everything you your baby. Also has some maternity clothes. Large store with everything baby in Echandens, near Crissier. Has an overwhelming choice. Online second hand store for children aged 0-6. The local baby magazine. Full of ads and info regarding where to get the latest baby products. An online sale of branded goods. New brands every day at massively reduced prices. Often has products for children and babies. Pick your Own fruit and vegetables at Attalens (just above Vevey) Weekly fresh local vegetable basket service. Order British food favourites online.

8 Expat life Expat Women Lemain Expat Fair Know it all Passport The English Forum Glocals Spouse Career Centre Expat Expo expo.info A site designed to help all women living overseas. It has lots of support, inspiration and resources to help you make the most of your expat experience. A useful annual event where you can discover many useful resources and clubs based in the region. Entrance is free. An extremely useful English-language guide to Geneva, Vaud and neighbouring France areas. It is a reference book covering everything including: shopping, housing, education, events and lots more. The website also gives topical advice. A discussion forum covering all aspects of Swiss life a useful start point for finding out information on anything. A Swiss social network for predominantly English speaker that meets offline to participate in a range of events In the region. A great way to meet new people and try new activities. A company offering accompanying spouses help and advice in finding employment in the Riviera region. Service sometimes paid for by your spouses company check with your local HR. A large annual exhibition of services for English Speaking Expats nearest expo is in Geneva. Cultural Events and Festivals Here are just a few events in the region to look out for. Also see the local newspaper La Regional and Tourist Office for local events and the various Tourism websites: Winter International Hat-Air Balloon Festival Montreux Noel Chillon Medieval Market and Storytelling Festival A fantastic event in January in Château-d Oex. The Friday night spectacle is highly recommended. Nice Christmas market and option to visit Santa Claus in his grotto at Rochers-de-Nayes. In December, there is a wonderful Medieval Market at the Chateaux de Chillon for three weeks in December, see craftsmen at work and take part in activities. There is also a Storytelling festival at the castle around the same time.

9 Spring Cully Jazz Festival Wild Narcissi flowers Set in the lovely medieval town of Cully, this festival has a great laid-back ambiance. Highly recommended. Kids day on Sunday. In May, take a walk in Les Avants, Pleiades, Col de Jaman, Mont Pelerin, Caux or Glion and see the fantastic May snow. Summer In addition to the below events, during the summer, many of the towns and cities hold a Fête de la cité and Fête de la Musique that are always full of fun and sometimes surprising. See the various tourism sites for more info on these. Also look out for the Swiss National Day events on and around 1 August. Montreux Jazz Festival Paléo Music Festival, Nyon Verbier Music Festival Zermatt Folkoric Festival International Cultural Festival Kinder Land Festival Held in early July, this festival offers lots of free and paid for music concerts and a great atmosphere. Held mid-july, Paléo is the biggest open-air music festival in Switzerland with six days of concerts and lots of fun. Held in late July the festival features some of the greatest names in classical music in a beautiful setting. Held on the second weekend of August, Zermatt is overrun by the best Swiss Folklore groups from all over the country. Impressive and fun festival for all the family. A colourful festival held in late August in Fribourg that celebrates the traditional culture and dance of several nations from around the world. A touring openair festival designed for kids. Autumn Each Autumn the mountain villages celebrate the Desalp festivals when the cows come down for the winter. These are always fun and colourful affairs. Check for the various events taking place. Also, look out for the Fête des Vandenges, the grape harvest that is celebrated in the various wine villages in the area. Look out for local notices about these events. For events in the La Côte region visit: Comptoir Suisse Trottinette Children s Festival Held in mid-september, this is a large annual exhibition in Lausanne showcasing everything made in Switzerland. Discover and sample the best regional produce. A festival held every October in Aigle. Miscellaneous websites people have found helpful

10 Bebe Cards A La Maison, cleaning services Trop Chou, Baby Cards Annabel Karmel delicious and easy recipes for kids meals Rires & Clowns local company putting on clown shows Baby Center & Gurgle online resource about everything baby Family budgeting resource Helium balloon set rental Oh Box Swiss site offering gift experiences in a box Martha Stewart Recipes, craft ideas, thrifty tips and more Websites containing kids activities / craft ideas Top Baby Pages Craft activity ideas Pipo Club Online educational games Cbeebies Online games and activities based on favourite kids TV characters Kneebouncers Online games for toddlers (also has aps for the iphone) Lilibiggs German language site for kids Toddler Toddler Lots of activities and craft ideas for toddlers Crafts 4 Kids Craft project sets to buy Ideés Enfants Craft and activity ideas (French only) Disney s Family Fun website more craft and activity ideas For the Latin Community

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