Useful books and publications for this area

If you about to move to this area or have just arrived, there are various publications that can help you with info and advice, some of which I've listed below. In addition I've suggested a couple of other books, not really for their practical advice, but because one is interesting to read and the other has great aerial photos. Firstly, a magazine. It's called "Bon a Savoir" which means "good to know" Essentially it's a consumer guide magazine and compares and contrasts products and services in Switzerland. It's in French but the charts and graphs are well laid out and it easy to see the results of research on each product. This month's issue compares winter related products, from ski sun protection creams and goggles, to cough syrups and bubble bath. They include articles on various retail issues too so it's especially useful if you have just moved here and are stocking up on consumer items. The nearest comparison to this publication on the British market would be Which magazine. "Bon a Savoir" is monthly and available from newsagents at CH3.50 or on subscription.

Secondly, two must have books.

All though I have said it many times before, I can't stress how useful these two following publications are. Know-It-All Passport to Geneva, Vaud and neighbouring France by Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman. This is absolutely jam packed with very useful advice about living here and provides hundred of useful addresses, websites, and information.

and

Living and Working in Switzerland by David Hampshire. This is essential reading too, the photo below shows my copy which is an old one (it is now on its 11th edition )

Finally

, The two books below aren't essential, but would make great gifts. The first one, How an Alpine Pass became a Country by Joelle Kuntz is interesting to read and calls itself an "Historical primer for English speaking visitors".There are sections on the history of Swiss towns including Geneva and Lausanne, and a section on how Switzerland became a player in the world economy. Joelle Kuntz the author, is a columnist with the newspaper Le Temps in Geneva.

Finally there's the book Les Rives du Léman vue du ciel by André Locher. Translated, it means "The shores of Lake Geneva seen from the air." Its' a book that takes you on a photographic journey right around the lake. There certainly are some fabulous properties that hug this shore line and you get to see them via superb aerial shots. There's a photo of the UEFA building on the outskirts of Nyon, the Bonaparte family chateau and the Chateau Worth in Prangins, (this chateau which was built by the Parisian couturier Worth back in 1900). There's also a shot of Michael Schumacher's new place in Gland, (there looks to be plenty of space for parking).....