Program of Social Events [PDF 2.9Mo]
Opening Reception
A buffet dinner will be offered to the participants at the end of the opening session on Tuesday night, in the Rolex Center (EPFL). A digital and sportive performance will be offered by the Compagnie Linga: «Re-Mapping the Body». The origin of this performance is the result of a collaboration between the ISSUL (Unil) and the Compagnie Linga.
Optional Boat Cruise (evening)
An optional boat cruise on Lake Geneva, including a buffet dinner, will take place on Wednesday evening.
Banquet & Jazz Band Night
A banquet will take place on the Friday evening, and it will be the closing event of the conference. The restaurant offers a magnificent view of the lake, while jazz music will allow dancers to enjoy the summer night.
Children’s Activities
Two different types of activities are available for children:
1) A five day circus-camp from the 7 to the 11 of July 2014. Schedule: everyday 8h30-17h30. Age: from 5 years old. Price: 500frs for the full five days; 280frs for the half five days (only the morning). Inscription until the 1st May 2014 to [email protected]; website: http://www.KidsUp.ch. More information here.
2) «Arts and Nature» activities for children from 3 to 9 years old. The schedule is flexible and can be chosen (only the half day, or 9h-16h30, or 7h30-18h30). The team is bilingual French and English. Information and inscription: http://www.lecoline.ch; [email protected]. 500CHF /week; 50 CHF/ day; more information here.
For children between 0 and 3 years old, you can contact the agency «Priorités enfants»: http://www.prioriteenfants.ch/. Please, note that they have to be contacted as soon as possible. The Red Cross can also offer baby-sitting services: http://www.croixrougevaudoise.ch/saf/baby.php
Excursions
On Saturday, just after the conference we will organize three excursions : one focusing on Swiss Technology, the other on Swiss touristic and cultural heritage and a guide visit of the medieval city of Lausanne.
1. A Visit of the Chateau de Gruyères, the Cailler Chocolate Factory and a Swiss Cheese Factory
Gruyères stands in the midst of the Fribourg green pre-Alpine foothills. The castle, one of the most prestigious in Switzerland, towers above the medieval town. The tour of the castle offers a walk through eight centuries of architecture, history and culture. The journey will include also a visit of a famous Swiss Chocolate factory, Cailler, as well as a Swiss Cheese factory, la Maison de la Gruyère. This day is perfect for children and families.
2. Visit of the old city of Lausanne
A free half-day visit will also be organized on the morning of Saturday 12th of July, with the visit of the Cathedral and other main historical sites.
3. An exclusive visit at CERN in Geneva (birth place of the World Wide Web) and of the LHC (The Large Hadron Collider)
**** CERN VISIT FULLY BOOKED ****
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a gigantic scientific instrument near Geneva, where it spans the border between Switzerland and France about 100m underground. It is a particle accelerator used by physicists to study the smallest known particles – the fundamental building blocks of all things and the basis of our understanding of the universe at large
Nights in Lausanne
From the 8th to 13th of July 2014, everyone will be enjoying enjoy the 43rd edition of the open air «Festival de la Cité», taking place every night throughout of the city of Lausanne. Theater, music, jazz, dances and various artistic performances will be taking place.
Other Local Attractions
To the east of Lausanne lies the Lavaux wine growing region, with terraced vineyards that are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Architecture in the old town dates back to medieval times, with a 12th century cathedral.
The port of Ouchy offers a promenade along the water and ferry transport to other cities on the lake (e.g. Montreux, Évian).
The Swiss Alps are nearby and clearly visible from the city, with the closest mountain resort areas being in Vaud and Valais (1-2 hours by train).
Further tourism information about Lausanne and the Lac Léman region may be found on Lausanne-tourisme website.
During the conference dates, there will also be the Jazz Festival in Montreux from the 4th to the 19th of July, which is only about 20min away from Lausanne and easy to reach by train.
The festival held each July in Switzerland is one of the most famous Jazz festivals in the world. It is the second largest annual jazz festival in the world after Canada’s Montreal International Jazz Festival. Founded by Claude Nobs in 1967, over the years the Montreux Jazz Festival has become an unmissable event for music fans in Switzerland and around the world. Its stages have been graced by all of music’s greats, from Miles Davis to Ray Charles and from David Bowie to Prince.
Can you please specify the Saturday excursion times, so that it’s easier to plan flights? Many thanks!
Hi dear Vika! We are in touch with «Lausanne Tourism»: the scehdule of the excursions is not still available, but details are coming as soon as possible.
In any case, flights to US/Canada are leaving only in the morning, on on the 13th of July, for US/CA participants applying for an excursion on the Saturday 12th.