The America's Cup race has officially started and all interest is on Valencia in Spain right now. However there is a local interest too as Mr Ernesto Bertorelli the owner of Alinghi the Swiss catamaran in the race, used to live in Gland, the town just a few miles from Nyon. Mr Bertorelli is not the only celebrity resident from this area, as Michael Schumacher the Formula One racing driver also lives in Gland and Alain Prost has a house in Nyon.
Alinghi made its debut on the lake last summer on August 1st (Swiss National day) and it sailed into Nyon and up the lake with a flotilla of boats accompanying it, with Mont Blanc in full show. A truly magnificent sight.
Living in Bassins
What is it like to live in the village of Bassins? Below is the first in a series of reports written by readers of this column, it's their personal view of where they live. This particular view comes from Linda Revkin and you will see it also comes from 750 metres high, the elevation of the village! Read on to find out about an unusual industry that operates out the village.
If you live in a village or town near Nyon and would like to write about it then email me cnp at bluewin.ch. I welcome suggestions. Now over to Linda.
"It was probably summer when Jeff Lynns from E.L.O. wrote “Mr. Blue Sky” in Bassins (see previous post here about this). But, blue skies can be found year round in Bassins. Right now in the snowy months of winter, when fog and cloudy weather engulf the Nyon area, the sun shines brightly up here. The Alpine peaks are crystal clear above a rumpled bed of clouds covering the normal view of Lake Geneva.
Yes, snow can stay on the ground from November until March up here at 750 metres. It is not a climate for the fainthearted. The temperatures can drop to minus seventeen. Icicles decorate the fountains.
Bassins is basically a farming village where, in years gone by, the cows probably outnumbered the population. Today that population, which had risen to six hundred souls in 1987, the date of my arrival on the scene, has now swelled to over one thousand.
What attracts people to this rural village? I can only say for myself that it was my first view of the village that captivated me. Driving up from La Cezille, I rounded the last bend in the road, a a series of many, and there was the village spread out like a snowy Christmas scene on a shallow oval dish. Above the village the vast Jura forest, a favorite place for hikers, campers, and cross-country skiers.
At the highest point, far to the left, was the Church: from there clusters of houses stretched out in a straight line to the right where a huge barn anchored the far end. Bassins is situated on a plateau. If one turns around slowly in a 360 degree rotation, a spectacular panorama of lake, Alps and Jura unfolds. On a clear day, as the song says, one can see nearly forever; the Geneva Jet d’eau , the Mont Blanc, the Dents de Midi and the “Grand Lac” by Lausanne.
So perhaps it is this spectacular view and bucolic surroundings that attracts a lot of people. The village does not have, access to a shopping centre, or international schools, it is low key. Its image is far from glossy but it does have a prerequisite Aubèrge for good dining, a fantastic bakery, a Pottery Shop, a Hair Dresser, a Bookshop, and a Well Being Saloon.. The village’s biggest new attraction is the beautiful indoor Pool situated near the Primary School on the road to Le Vaud.
One interesting industry here is a distillery for natural oils. In the summer, the fields, not cultivated with corn and wheat, are covered with bright yellow, mauve, blue and white flowers. When the distilling starts in late summer the scent of chamomile, lavender, and celery can tickle your nose.
I have loved living in Bassins these past twenty five years not only because of its setting but because of the wonderful Swiss people and the many musical opportunities that have come my way. I directed the local mixed Choir and children’s Choirs for over ten years; sang in vocal Quartet founded here, and enjoyed having access to a wonderful organ. Last fall I took part as the village celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Organ’s Installation. Back in 1984, only six hundred villagers managed to raise enough money to build this new organ.
Being a bi-national I have, like others, a foot in both camps so to speak. I also play the organ at the Scots Church in Geneva located in the Auditoire de Calvin. I am a member of an Association trying to raise funds for a new organ for that church. Somehow it seems a more daunting task to focus a multi national congregation living in Geneva, France and Vaud on the task of raising funds. Will we meet with the same success as this small village? If anyone out there has ideas or is interested in our project, take a look at our website.
Meanwhile, if you love swimming, walking, cross country skiing and beautiful views, don’t hesitate to visit Bassins."
Photos of Bassins and text by Linda Kyle Revkin