image © https://www.ch.ch showing the 2025 sticker and e-vignette versions
The autoroute vignette, which is necessary for those who travel on any portion of the Swiss autoroute (highway/motorway), will be available at gas/petrol stations, shops, supermarkets, tabacs/kiosks, border crossings, post offices, and other locations as of 1 December 2024. The price is once again Fr. 40.- for the calendar year, and you have until 31 January 2025 to display it on your windscreen. The 2024 version is still valid until end of January as well. Once the first of February rolls around, anyone not displaying the 2025 vignette or have their vehicle registered online by the e-vignette will receive a fine of Fr. 200.-.
Drivers must remove expired stickers from the windshield to avoid obstructing visibility. Kits with a scraper are sold separately or with the vignette to help remove the old stickers. The best time to remove them is when the weather is cold so the glue doesn't stay on the windscreen. However, if some glue remains, just cover with the new vignette.
Electronic e-vignette
The electronic e-vignette was established in 2023. The e-vignette can be an alternative to the sticker version, says the Office fédéral de la douane et de la sécurité des frontières (OFDF). The e-vignette will be available through this website as well as many others from 1 December 2024. But check that the price does not exceed the recommended price of Fr. 40.- as we have noticed extra fees (up to Fr. 55.-) on some sites.
When you register your car's number plate into the system, the e-vignette is valid for that vehicle.
Discounted vignette price
Take advantage of the first days of December to buy discounted vignettes at certain supermarkets while stocks last:
- Aldi: If you buy Fr. 100.- worth of goods from Aldi on Monday, 2 December 2024, you can purchase the vignette for only Fr. 20.-. This is NOT valid on purchases of spirits (hard alcohol), mixed alcoholic beverages, autoroute vignettes, anything bought through the online shop, gift and prepaid cards, cell phone offers, and taxed garbage bags.
- Lidl: If you buy Fr. 70.- worth of goods only 2-4 December 2024 and have the Lidl Plus App, you can buy the vignette for only Fr. 24.90 (without the Lidl App it is Fr. 29.90). This is NOT valid on purchases of spirits (hard alcohol), mixed alcoholic beverages, infant formula, firecrackers and fireworks, tobacco, trash bag stickers, travel, gift and prepaid cards, cell phone offers, taxed garbage bags, and hot beverage dispenser products. Not cumulative.
- Denner: If you buy Fr. 100.- worth of goods from Denner, you can purchase the vignette for only Fr. 35.-. instead of Fr. 40.- while stocks last. This is NOT valid on purchases of spirits (hard alcohol), online wine purchases, Bordeaux 2019 and 2020, tobacco products, autoroute vignettes, taxed garbage bags, etc. However, wine counts! So stock up on a couple cases of wine for the holidays and take advantage of this deal.
- Migros Vaud: Make five purchases of over CHF 100 each, in one of the 5 participating addresses listed on the Migros Vaud website, and get a free 2025 motorway vignette! This offer lasts through Saturday, 30 November 2024. Ask for your stamp collection card at the checkout.
Read below more information supplied by the Swiss Customs Website about the vignette protocol and validity.
Where do I have to affix the motorway charge sticker?
Affix the motorway charge sticker directly to the vehicle as follows:
- In the case of motor vehicles, on the inside of the windscreen; do not mount the motorway charge sticker in the tinted section.
- In the case of motor vehicles without windscreens, trailers and motorbikes, on an easily accessible and non-removable part.
Upon entry into Switzerland, can I use the motorway up until the first exit without a motorway tax sticker?
No. In order to ensure equal treatment, the motorway tax has to be paid in any event, regardless of the distance travelled.
Can the motorway charge sticker be transferred in the event of a change of car?
No. It is forbidden to peel off motorway charge stickers and transfer them to other vehicles. Detached motorway charge stickers are invalid.
I drive two vehicles with an interchangeable number plate. Do I require a motorway charge sticker for each vehicle?
Yes, both vehicles require a motorway charge sticker.
I will be visiting Switzerland only once this year. Do I nevertheless have to buy an annual motorway charge sticker?
Yes. At present, no motorway charge stickers are issued for shorter periods of time. Unlike other European countries, Switzerland has only an annual charge.
Will the motorway charge sticker be replaced in the event of a broken windscreen?
Yes. The motorway charge sticker will be replaced free of charge in the event of a windscreen replacement. In the case of foreign vehicles, customs offices issue a new motorway charge sticker upon presentation of the old motorway charge sticker (even if it is torn) and the invoice for the replacement windscreen.
A replacement sticker is organized by the insurance company in the case of Swiss vehicles.
On the afternoon of Friday, 27 October 2023, the TPG (Transports Publics Genève) and the AGMT (Association genevoise du musée des tramways) will exceptionally open the doors of their exhibition "Mobility at the heart of Heritage" that is running through 5 November 2023.
It traces 120 years of public transport history in Geneva (from CGTE to TPG), from the construction of the Jonction building to the present day, and also sketches out the future of mobility, through various cross-cutting themes (changing working conditions, the social dimension of the company, crisis periods, women's careers, public transport as an urban planning tool, etc.).
Aimed at a wide audience, the exhibition is rich in iconographic elements, archive documents, oral history testimonials from pensioners and films.
Silent procession on Sunday, 10 September 2023 at 15h
PRO VELO Genève is shocked by the accidents that have claimed the lives of three cyclists in just four months. The association is calling on the public to take part in a silent bicycle procession, and to make a solemn appeal to the authorities, who have so far remained silent.
Since the beginning of 2023, 6 people have died on Geneva's roads, half of them cyclists1 2 3. PRO VELO Genève calls on the authorities to take the measure of these disgraceful events, particularly two caused by rodeo riders or those heavily intoxicated. In 2022, alcohol-related accidents increased by 15% (Road Police report). The association has been fighting for years, constantly alerting the communes and the Canton to ill-conceived or unsafe development projects.
PRO VELO Genève is calling on the new cantonal authorities to draw up an action plan to protect cyclists, with campaigns to prevent and punish road users, and an ambitious policy of continuous, safe, segregated lanes.
© all photos Lisa Cirieco
Being in Europe, we are spoiled by the amount of castles on every hilltop and town center. How lucky we can just have so many at our doorstep around Lac Léman, Lac de Neuchâtel, and Thunersee. Whether with guests or your own family, you will surely find a few on this small list that we have taken out of our latest ©Know-it-all passport®!
Abbaye de St Maurice
Av. d’Agane 15
1890 Saint-Maurice
website
Famous for its Merovingian treasure and 1,500 years of history. Augustine monks are still active as teachers here. Guided tours only (1.5 hours), at set times. You may request a tour in English. Price Fr. 16.-/adult, Fr. 10.-/children 6-16. Open Tuesday to Friday 10h-17h30, weekends 11h30-17h30. Check website before going.
Château d’Aigle and the Musée de la Vigne, du Vin et de l’Etiquette
Place du Château 1
1860 Aigle
024 466 21 30
website
Aigle Castle was built at the end of the 12th century and is situated in the middle of vineyards. It harbors a wine museum with old wine-making traditions and tools, as well as a terrific collection of wine labels. Note: It’s fun to go to Swiss Vapeur Parc (see below) in the morning through lunch (there is a mini Château d’Aigle there!), then drive over to the life-size Château d’Aigle in the afternoon. Price: Fr 11.-/adult, Fr. 5.-/age 6-16. Family and group packages available. Open daily during summer 10h-18h.
It is another hot summer so we thought that a few local outdoor swimming pools will keep you cool over the holidays if you remain in the area. Remember to call ahead to check if these outdoor pools are open when the weather is threatening. If you are a resident of the commune where the pool is located you may be eligible for a special discount.
In order to avoid queues at the ticket counter, most places have set up an instantaneous attendance warning system on their website and/or online ticket sales. We strongly recommend that customers take note of this information before visiting pools.
©Excerpt from Know-it-all passport® so This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. us if you would like to replicate this list. All dates and prices are correct at the time of this article. Scroll down to see Geneva, Vaud, and neighboring France.
Outdoor Swimming Pools in Canton Geneva
La Plage Publique des Eaux-Vives
022 546 76 00
website
This free beach is twice as big as that of the Bains des Pâquis. This public beach was opened in 2020 and is beautifully located in the heart of Geneva and accessible to all. The swimming site, about 400m, goes right up to the Baby Plage and can accommodate 6,000 to 8,000 people on beautiful summer days! Take advantage of the excellent quality of Lake Geneva's waters following the many efforts made to clean it over recent years.
The beach is not made of sand but rather small pebbles so no need for shovels and pails. Shower stalls and toilets are onsite. A drink stand will be open all summer.
Bains des Paquis
30, quai du Mont-Blanc
1201 Genève
022 732 29 74 main
022 738 16 16 restaurant
website
Lake beach offering sunbathing platforms, a life guard, warm showers, changing rooms, toilets, and towel rentals. Hammams are open over the summer Fr. 10.- includes towel rental. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Usually open during summer daily 10h-18h30. However the beach is accessible 24h/7. There are 2 sandpits for toddlers and kids as well as 2 wading areas (50cm deep) and 2 cordoned-off areas for swimmers. Price: Fr. 2.-/adult, Fr. 1.-/child. The Restaurant Buvette des Bains is open year-round 7h-23h.
NOTE: Les Aubes musical start to the day - from 17 July through 20 August 2023 from 5h30 (am), see schedule and weather permitting.
