As part of the Living in Nyon series featuring different towns and villages in the Vaud area, here is a short article by local British resident Debbie Croft on living in Bursinel, a pretty village between the towns of Gland and Rolle. You can read more about Debbie at the end of the article. Previous villages and towns that have been featured in this series are: Bassins, Arzier, Eysins (including the Terre Bonne business centre in Eysins), Divonne in France, (part one and part two), Rolle and Grandvaux. If you want to write about the place you live in, articles are welcome. Email the editor at info@livinginnyon.com
"Four years ago we moved to Bursinel. Most of the village sits on the hill above the "Route Suisse" (the lake road) but there is also a small Bursinel community near the lake. As Bursinel is also next to the village of Dully, the two places combined can feel like one large village together, but those who have lived here a long time tell me that they are in fact two very distinctive villages of their own!
Set so close to the lake, this area is a beautiful place to live in with a view of the Alps in front and the Jura behind us. The people who work for the commune take great care of the grounds, the parks and the flower beds. There are four ‘vignerons’ (wine estates) here so most of the landscape around is filled with vines.
The commune invites all the community to several events throughout the year and people are incredibly friendly. I made a conscious effort that I would only talk in French with the locals when we moved here, so… painful for all concerned in the beginning; yet it still surprises me how much English I hear spoken at these social gatherings and the international mix of the village. There is much warmth and an openness that allows you to make it ‘home’ and feel part of a community. Like most things though, to use a cliché, the more you put in, the more you get out.
The local delicatessen/ the epicerie ‘Chez Manu’ in Dully is a popular place for people to meet. It serves great hot chocolate and sells basic essentials, as well as doubling up as the post office. The Clef d’Or restaurant in Bursinel not only has a fabulous view from its terrace, but also has a 14 star listing in the Gault and Millau food guide. The Auberge in Dully is very well known for its great roast chicken and homemade tart! (Editor's note, this is a very popular place for Sunday lunch so book well ahead)
In addition one of the local ‘vignerons’ host regular dinners throughout the year for the public in their "cave" (serving their own lovely wines of course!) this another place I highly recommend.
For those with younger families, there are two parks, one in Dully next to the school and one in Bursinel, which also has a football pitch. There are also two tennis clubs, both run tennis lessons & activities for all ages from April through to the end of September. Next to the school, there is a big gymnasium which is also used for various children’s clubs in the evening.
There are some great running routes around this area and it's perfect for exploring on a bike, or for heading up into the Jura. In the summer, there are small "beaches" to be found just off the lake road , within one kilometre of the villages. It really is all rather idyllic!
In the village of Dully, there is a lovely small school for children for the 1
two years (1 & 2P), after this children go to the surrounding villages for the following two years, then back to Dully for two years. When we arrived, our eldest hardly spoke French and started school in Dully, age four and a half. She quickly integrated and started learning French. French lessons arranged for non-native speakers within the school hours, so the children have every opportunity to learn the language. Local schooling does mean as a parent you are tied to local school hours, which in Dully are 07:55-11:20 and then 13:30-15:00. However children who can't go home for lunch, can go to the Petite Poste next to the school, here they are looked after and served a hot meal and the building itself has space for the children to play during the lunch break.
Bursinel is approx three kilometres to Gland train station and five kilometres to Rolle train station. Buses run from the village to both stations and walking or cycling is perfectly possible". If you would like to know more or have any specific questions on the village, please don’t hesitate to contact me (details below)".
(Editor's note - Did you know that Winston Churchill once stayed in Bursinel for a holiday in 1946? A commemorative plaque can be found on the side of the council building. Read more here)
Debbie Croft is a certified Career & Relocation coach, and says she is "passionate about helping people embrace change; whether in their career or to maximise the opportunity of relocation. She mixes individual coaching with group coaching, and runs workshops and programmes, both virtually and in person and is skilled at building trust with clients through a warm and open coaching style.
Debbie says she "understands what it’s like to juggle the many demands of family life with two young children whilst at the same time being focused and energised about a career". You can contact Debbie at croftcoaching@gmail.com or call her on 079 918 8571.