A new discovery center has just opened in Vevey, celebrating 150 years in the history of Nestlé.
A fun and engaging experience for all the family, “nest” is located just 2 minutes from Vevey station, and includes an interactive tour through time, multi-language audio guides with child-friendly versions, and a Mini-Fabrique factory-like environment packed with fun activities for the kids. There is also a new Café Henri offering a delicious range of freshly cooked hot and cold food, and a boutique where you can buy vintage souvenirs from the Nestlé brand.
Imposing entrance
When you first enter the center you can’t fail to be impressed by the grand Piazza, a huge open atrium, which combines old industrial design with a modern contemporary look. At the heart of the hall, there is an artistic life-size tree composed of more than 1200 flowers, all handmade from different products.
2-hour interactive visit
After taking in the atrium, visitors are invited to enter “Fondations”, a timed attraction located within the historic factory building, where the history of the company is gradually revealed, starting with its foundation in 1866. Several rooms have been created to help visitors understand the beginnings, to discover Henri Nestlé's laboratory and the birth of Nestlé as an enterprise. By using innovative cinema techniques, developed during the same industrial age, this special attraction combines shadow plays, magic lanterns, ombres Chinoise and much more to give illusion the impression of reality.
The visit continues with “Zeitgeist”, a kind of living archive showing the different brands and milestones in the history of Nestlé. This space occupies two storeys, and is almost a museum in itself. The outside has displays for every decade, filled with stories, images and interactive exhibits that link Nestlé to world events. Inside there is a magical treasure room with dimmed lights and a selection of very special objects, such as the prototype for the first Nespresso machine.
In addition to the historical space there is “Mini Fabrique”: a factory-like environment filled with boxes, jars, puzzles, games and musical scanners – certain to be popular with the kids!
On leaving the past, visitors move to the present day “Forum”, a special place, which deals with the challenges in producing food for eight billion people. The Forum addresses numerous issues through exploratory games on themes such as resource management, farmers, water and production. The key take-home message is that things are hardly ever black or white, and that finding real solutions requires all of the players to act together, all taking their share of the responsibility. To illustrate this idea, the actions of all of the visitors influence a surprising light installation at the heart of the room.
From here, visitors take the stairs to the last zone, “Visions”, a suspended structure which seems to float in the atrium right underneath the glass roof. In this beautifully light space, an organically flowing white world is created to symbolise a timeless vision of the future. It features ten different exhibits combining innovative topics with playful games. All of them are introduced by Nestlé scientists working on finding creative solutions to serious needs.
Meeting rooms
If you are looking for an inspiring space for a special meeting or function, nest also offers a number of rooms and spaces ideal for seminars, receptions and other special occasions. These include 3 rooms in the Villa for smaller functions, the Mezzanine with a capacity for up to 80 people, the Café Henri (up to 75 people, evenings only, cocktail style), and the stunning Piazza which holds up to 270 people (cocktails, receptions and gala dinners in the evenings only). Click here for more information.
The new center is open 7 days a week from 10h-18h, or till 17h in winter; closed Christmas Day and 1 January. The price is Fr. 18.-/adult, Fr. 10.-/age 6-16, or free for ages 0-5.
nest
Chaussée de la Guinguette 10
1800 Vevey
021 924 40 40
www.le-nest.ch
