Thanks to numerous daily return trips offered by the Franco-Swiss company Lyria, the town of Geneva and Basel are accessible in just 3 hours time from Paris. To reach Zurich, allow 4 hours (you can continue your journey after passing Basel). And to organise your event at Lausanne, you will take the line over the Jura and arrive there at the end of 3h40.
Switzerland being a resolutely railway-oriented countryOf course, you can also explore other major MICE destinations in Switzerland, such as Montreux, LucerneBerne and mountain resorts such as Davos, Villars-Diablerets or Crans-Montana. You can then change trains and take the dense Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) network. The whole thing is super-easy and fast - Swiss efficiency be damned.
But access by train is not the only CSR advantage that Switzerland has to offer an event organiser. The country is a sustainable destination par excellence and offers a whole range of CSR-related services and activities, notably through the Swisstainable logo/programme. You can find out more - for example, where he got his commitment to sustainable development - or discover some of the Swisstainable hotels and venues in our previous article #SwisstainableEvents - Meeting the new CSR requirements of organisers.
The Swiss towns you are about to discover are all towns on a human scaleset in beautiful landscapes, on the banks of a lake or riverThey were built in the Middle Ages and surrounded by greenery. This close to nature is a real plus, as it offers a wide choice of activities in winter and summer, on the water, in the countryside or in the mountains, which are never far away! Add to this the fact that urban transport Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux and Davos are free for anyone staying in a hotel or holiday flat, and you'll have another significant CSR added value.
Overview of 6 MICE destinations in Switzerland
Geneva
Renovated hotels and new establishments in a booming district close to the airport and the Palexpo congress centre: Geneva has recently further enhanced the quality of its hotel offering. The international position of the host city of the UN and the Red Cross - often mistakenly referred to as the capital of Switzerland - makes it an ideal location for a business trip. a major destination for event organisers. Switzerland's 2nd-largest city in terms of population shines with original venues to liven up your events with a former hydraulic power plant on the Rhône, the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices for gala dinners and cocktails, and CERN, the world's most powerful particle accelerator, for conventions at the heart of innovation. In line with its programme "Geneva meets greenThe city also offers a wide range of sustainable team-building activities, from cycling and segway tours of its districts to sailing on Lake Geneva and rafting down the Arve from the Mont Blanc glacier.
Basel
The 3rd largest city in France, with a population of just 190,000, is attracting a lot of interest its location on the banks of the Rhine and its historic old town. It is a city of art as well as a host of world-renowned museums such as the Fondation Beyelerthe Kunstmuseum, the Tinguely Museum and, in a contemporary style, the Vitra Design MuseumThis is the perfect setting for conferences and events, designed by some of the world's greatest architects. Messe Baselwith its multifunctional conference centre, is Switzerland's largest congress and exhibition venueIt is also one of the most modern. It hosts a variety of events, including ART BaselIt will also be the venue for a number of medical conferences. next EST (European Song Contest) in May 2025. At the crossroads of France, Germany and Switzerland, it is a major centre for the chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. Numerous seminars and corporate events take advantage of a wide choice of hotels and event venues whether on the banks of the Rhine, in a guild house such as the Safran Zunftin the industrial atmosphere ofAlte KraftwerkOr why not in one of the reception areas of the Zolli, one of the world's most famous zoos.
Lausanne
Faster, higher, stronger: Lausanne can capitalise on its aura of Olympic capital to appeal to organisers with its museum dedicated to sport, which is also ideal for hosting conferences, receptions or gala dinners. But the "best little town in the world" has much more to offer MICE groups, with the ultra-modern SwissTech Convention CenterThere's a wide range of venues to choose from, from the famous Ecole Polytechnique EPFL campus to the historic Beaulieu Conference Centre and Palais de Rumine. And to punctuate your events, you can take a cruise on Lake Geneva or the River Geneva. visit to the terraced vineyards of Lavauxlisted by UNESCO since 2007.
Zurich
Regularly ranked among the most liveable townsZurich combines the advantages of a green, modern city with exceptional venues for major events and exclusive happenings. Extremely dynamicthe city has seen expand its MICE offering for several years now. Visit new multi-service district The Circle, which offers accommodation for up to 500-700 people, is just one example. The Zurich Convention Center located right in the centre, on the shores of Lake Zurich, reopened in October 2021 after a major renovation phase. From numerous industrial sites rehabilitated are all 'playgrounds' for event organisers. Just as the Rietberg Museumwhere it is possible to organise dinners in the conservatory where Richard Wagner composed Tristan and Isoldeor the FIFA museum. Activitiesa walking tour of the old town, shopping in the dragon boats on the lakeTeam building activities with a sustainable focus: Zurich offers a host of options to complement business meetings. But the 1st city and Switzerland's economic capital also opens nature eventswith a number of neighbouring farms, ideal for pleasant, relaxing greening up MICE groups or excursions to the surrounding mountains or mountain resorts.
Davos
Known the world over for its World Economic Forum, the resort of Davos, in the Grisons region of Switzerland, is playing to its strengths. nature/mountain side to host conferences, seminars and incentive trips. At the heart of this MICE offering is its ultra-modern congress centre, a XXL complex with "My Climate" certification and a capacity of up to 5,000 people. But Davos is also positioned in events of all sizes between a wide choice of hotels, some of them in the futuristic design such as AlpenGold, and its mountain retreats with a rustic decor just like the Walserhuus. In the heart of the Alps, surrounded by seven ski areas, the resort offers a whole range of outdoor activities in winter and summer, including 700km of signposted footpaths and mountain bike trails. The destination is accessible by 2-hour transfer from Zurich.
Lucerne
Our final suggestion is a small town which deserves to be better known by the French, only 1 hour by train or bus transfer of Basel. Located in the heart of Switzerland on the banks of the Lake LucerneSurrounded by mountains, the charming old town boasts an extraordinary quality of life, a rich cultural offering and a rich cultural heritage. attractive MICE infrastructure. For example, its world-famous Jean Nouvel cultural and congress centre, its high-quality hotel sector and the beauty of its historical and natural heritage, which provides the backdrop for a number of major events. exclusive receptions such as the Water Tower located in the middle of the famous Pont de la Chapelle dating back to the 14th century. Lucerne is also the starting point for the Bürgenstock ResortA luxurious venue with an incredible view, with the capacity to host a variety of events in its brand new 2,500 m² spaces.
