City tour of Nyon
In about an hour of an easy walk, Nyon reveals its secrets while letting you the pleasure to discover its streets, its craftsmen, its various monuments and so many more.
Archaeologic insights witness human presence on the lakeshores since the Neolithic period. In the Iron Age, the Helvetians, a Celtic nation, occupied the Swiss midlands probably as far as the region of Nyon. After his victories in Gaul, Julius Caesar decided to establish the Colonia lulia Equestris about 45 years BC. Nyon (whose name originates from its Celtic antecedent “Noviodunum”) was the urban center of this area. The vestiges of its imposing monuments lie beneath the current city.
During medieval time, Nyon was granted to the Archbishop of Besançon and later ruled by the Lord of Prangins until 1293 when the Savoy family conquered Vaud. The installation of a mintage site led to an important economic recovery. In 1536, Nyon was raised to the status of “administrative center of a Vogtei of Bern”. Headquarter of the Vogt until the Vaud revolution of 1798, the city became part of the Helvetic canton established in 1803. From 1781 until 1813, a porcelain factory contributed to Nyon's reputation for fine ceramics. Since 1798, Nyon is the capital of the same named district.
Colonne_Nyon_Benjamin Becker (Benjamin Becker)
Ville de Nyon (©Olivier Gisiger)
Quai Louis Bonnard (Fabiano Mancesti)
Colonne_Nyon_Benjamin Becker (Benjamin Becker)
Rue de la Colombière (Fabiano Mancesti)
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Tourist Office Nyon
The Tourist information in Nyon is an association which defines, updates and implements the regional marketing policy for Nyon and its whole district.
It also operates informational and promotional welcoming structures linked to the touristic and economic activities in the region, among the Tourist information Nyon.
The Nyon Museums Pass is exclusively on sale at the information desk.
(NRT)
400.40017700195
Nyon Castle
The Castle of Nyon, a Romanesque fortress built in the 12th century and transformed in the 16th century, is superbly situated on a promontory overlooking Lake Geneva. For a long time the political and administrative heart of the city, it has also housed a museum since 1888. The entire building is now open to the public.
Through its collections, it preserves and retraces the two-thousand-year history of the city. It presents the fine porcelain produced in the famous Nyon factory in the 18th century, the striking atmosphere of the prisons closed in 1979 and a heterogeneous collection of objects scattered throughout its attic. Its temporary exhibitions are devoted to historical themes or contemporary art.
The Nyon Porcelain Manufactory was one of the two manufactories that existed in Switzerland at the time. It produced neoclassical pieces intended mainly for local customers of patricians and other notables. Kaolin, the raw material used for porcelain production, came from Saint-Yrieix near Limoges. The whiteness of Nyon porcelain was comparable to that of top-quality French products.
The Nyon Porcelain Manufactory was supported not by a regent, but by wealthy citizens. The riots of the revolution and the Napoleonic wars were a serious blow to this costly industry: porcelain production declined from 1805 onwards and was completely discontinued in 1813. However, faience was produced in the manufactory until 1979.
History and Porcelain Museum (© Château de Nyon, Photographie : Nicolas Spuhler)
Le Château de Nyon (© Olivier Gisiger)
Esplanade chateau de Nyon (Benjamin Becker)
History and Porcelain Museum (© Peter Colberg)
History and Porcelain Museum (© Château de Nyon, Photographie : Nicolas Spuhler)
Château de Nyon hiver (Grégoire Chappuis)
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Roman Museum of Nyon
Between Lausanne and Geneva, Nyon is situated on the remains of one of Switzerland’s biggest Roman cities: Noviodunum. The vestiges of this period are magnificently preserved in the Nyon Roman Museum. Special sculptures, objects relating to everyday life, culture or religion are part of the uniquely rich permanent collection. Many amphora, and other vine and wine related objects, attest to the long history of the La Côte AOC vineyard around the town of Nyon, the biggest wine-making area of the Lake Geneva Region.
The Roman Museum is housed in the foundations of the Forum Basilica, discovered in 1974. It presents the heritage of Colonia Iulia Equestris, founded during Julius Caesar's lifetime in the 1st century BC, and of its urban centre Noviodunum. Nyon has always lived in direct contact with the remains of the past, as the centre of the city has not moved since Antiquity. The museum thus reveals the intense archaeological research activity of the town. Its exhibition presents evidence of the life of the Ancients, combining ancient remains, models and immersive digital devices.
Throughout the year, the Roman Museum of Nyon offers conferences, thematic visits, brunches and role-playing games, while the children's programme "Roman Holidays" transforms the youngest into Julius Caesar's heirs thanks to disguises, games and workshops.
Nyon Roman Museum (© Nyon Région Tourisme)
Jules César - Nyon (nrt)
Nyon Roman Museum (© Nyon Région Tourisme)
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Nyon Temple
The current church was last renovated between 2013-2016. The Romanesque choir dates from the first quarter of the 12th century.
The medieval mural depicting the miracle of Pentecost probably dates from the second half of the 13th century.
The beautiful stained glass windows, apart from the one behind the organ, were created by the artist François de Ribaupierre (1886-1981).
Originally this church was Catholic and was called "Notre-Dame".
Temple Nyon (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Temple Nyon (Amiguet)
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Playground of the "Vieux Collège" - Nyon
In addition to the various elements of the playground, several picnic tables are available.
Place de jeux du Vieux Collège (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Place de jeux du Vieux Collège (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Place de jeux du Vieux Collège (Nyon Région Tourisme)
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Arch Ste-Marie
Formerly, two towers framed this medieval machicolated gate.
During the construction of a lakeside house in the 18th century, a tower was demolished and the gate replaced by the current stone archway.
Porte Ste-Marie (Christian Riethauser)
Porte Ste-Marie (Peter Colberg)
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Roman columns in Nyon
Situated on the Esplanade des Marronniers, the Roman columns bear witness to the time when Nyon, called Noviodunum, belonged to the Colonia Iulia Equestris founded by Julius Caesar between 45 and 27 BC. From this square, visitors can admire the view on the Alps and Lake Geneva and to attend many free concerts during the summer period.
On the Esplanade des Marronniers (Chestnut Tree Square) there are three Roman columns, two of them fully erected. They belonged to the cryptoporticus of the holy area of the second Roman forum built around 50 AD. They initially measured 7m50 including the top sculptured element.
The Roman columns were found under the Rue Delafléchère and placed on this marvellous point of view in 1958 for 2000 years celebration of the city of Nyon.
By its founding through Julius Caesar, the Colonia Iulia Equestris with its urban center Noviodunum, nowadays Nyon, was the first Roman Colony in Switzerland.
The first music kiosk, which is also located on this square, was inaugurated on June 17th 1894.
During summertime its a tradition to assist and dance on the Esplanade des Marronniers" to free concerts every Sunday.
Colonne_Nyon_Benjamin Becker (Benjamin Becker)
Colonnes romaines (© Didier Jordan)
Roman columns - Nyon (Olivier Gisiger - nrt)
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Floral Mosaic
The technique used to creat this floral mosaic was inspired by the Roman stone mosaics. It is composed by more than 18'000 flowers and represents each year an actuality or a specific event in the region of Nyon.
Mosaïque florale (Fabiano Mancesti)
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Playground at Parc du Bourg de Rive - Nyon
This secure playground offers a choice of games for children as well as a sheltered picnic table.
Place de jeux du Parc du Bourg de Rive (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Place de jeux du Parc du Bourg de Rive (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Place de jeux du Parc du Bourg de Rive (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Place de jeux du Parc du Bourg de Rive (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Place de jeux du Parc du Bourg de Rive (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Place de jeux du Parc du Bourg de Rive (Nyon Région Tourisme)
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Lake Geneva Museum
Created in 1954 in the former hospital of Nyon, the Museum of Geneva's mission is to preserve and enhance the natural, cultural and human heritage of the largest lake in Western Europe. A true chronicler of the life of the lake, it is interested in everything that is on the water, in the water and around the water.
The exhibitions, which combine knowledge and emotion, scientific rigour and a playful approach, allow everyone to marvel at the richness and fragility of Lake Geneva.
The visit areas are varied and accessible to as many people as possible. Visitors can discover the scientific adventures of the Piccard family, the heritage linked to fishing and professional and pleasure boating, the dedication of the lake's rescuers, the world of the Compagnie Générale de Navigation or the true story of the Lake Geneva tsunami.
A large area is dedicated to natural sciences through the exhibition "Petite Nature, 36 questions to decode the lake" and five aquariums permanently house numerous fish representative of the 32 species that inhabit Lake Geneva and its tributaries.
Each year, a new temporary exhibition allows visitors to discover Lake Geneva from the angle of an original theme.
For more information: www.museeduleman.ch
Musée du Leman (F. Bertin)
Musée du Leman (Atelier Bleu Citron)
Musée du Leman (Claudine Garcia)
Musée du Leman (Michel Perret)
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Bois-Fleuri Park - Nyon
This square located to the east of the Lake Geneva Museum has a large lawn and a pirate ship.
Parc du Bois-Fleuri (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Parc du Bois-Fleuri (Nyon Région Tourisme)
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Fountain Maîtres-Jacques
Hergé represented this fountain in his comic book The Adventure of Tintin "The calculus Affair".
Fontaine Maître Jacques (Marc Baertsch)
Fontaine Maîtres-Jacques (Fabiano Mancesti)
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Playground Rive-Est- Nyon
Several facilities have been set up so that the children can have fun.
Benches are available to rest for a moment.
Rive est (ADN © photo Michel Perret Nyon Swirtzerland)
Place de jeux de Rive-Est (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Place de jeux de Rive-Est (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Place de jeux de Rive-Est (Nyon Région Tourisme)
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Roman amphitheatre of Nyon
It was built at the foot of the road leading to the vicus of Lousonna/Vidy. Two inscriptions, presented to the museum, have been revealed. One of them, which mentions Emperor Trajan, leads us to believe that the amphitheatre, in which several thousand spectators could have been seated, was built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD.
In the amphitheatre the main shows we know took place were gladiator fights, hunting (venationes), exhibitions of wild animals and sometimes executions of those sentenced to death.
Today, the project to make this site an archaeological place to visit and a showplace is waiting to become a reality.
Note: the ruins of the amphitheatre are for the moment closed to the public.
amphithéâtre Romain (Nyon Région Tourisme)
402.10961914062
Square Perdtemps - Nyon
This place between shade and sun invites to take advantage of the benches, the various wooden picnic tables or to sip a drink at the bar.
The playground is in the sand and lets the children have fun.
Square Perdtemps (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Square Perdtemps (Michel Perret)
Square Perdtemps (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Square Perdtemps (Nyon Région Tourisme)
Square Perdtemps (Nyon Région Tourisme)
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