Federal Department of Economic Affairs FDEAFederal Office for Agriculture FOAG

Workshop on Agri-environmental Indicators Leysin Switzerland March 23rd - 26th

Tuesday 8 December 2009 OECD Paris

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Agenda

• Where is Leysin• History of Leysin• Seminar Venue and Accommodation• Practical Information • Evening Program• Field Trip• Prolongation of your stay• Useful internet addresses

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Where is Leysin• Leysin is a sunny alpine resort village, situated at an altitude

of 1‘263 m, at the eastern end of lake Geneva in proximity to Montreux, Lausanne and Geneva

• Leysin can be easily accessed by train from Geneva Airport and from Zurich Airport

• Train tickets can be purchased at any railway station or via the internet (www.sbb.ch)

LeysinGeneva Airport

Zürich Airport

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History of Leysin

From the Medical Era to the Development of Tourism

• 19th century Leysin medical center for the treatment of TB

• WWI/WWII thousands of wounded and TB infected soldiers in Leysin

• Discovery of antibiotics to treat TB → Leysin‘s decline as a medical center

• New economy based on tourism

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Seminar Venue and Accommodation• The workshop will take place at the „Hotel Mercure“• Around 70 rooms are available for participants at the rate

of CHF 135 (90€ /130US$) per night (breakfast included)• Other hotels are available on the resort website

www.leysin.ch

Hotel Mercure LeysinRue de la CitéCase Postale 2211854 Leysin Switzerland+41 (0)24 493 06 06info@classic-hotel.chwww.classic-hotel.ch

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Practical Information• Change 1 CHF = 0.66 EUR, 1 CHF = 0.98 USD• Weather: sunny winters with snow that lasts until April• Average temperature in March: -1°C to 4°C• For visa requirement please check: www.bfm.admin.ch

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Evening Program

• Snow-shoe hiking followed by a traditional Swiss dinner• Appropriate clothes and shoes are required• Equipment and instruction will be provided

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Field Trip

Wine Production• Working of the wine-growers• Local conditions of production

(soil, climate)• Overview of different grapes

Chasselas, Gamay, Pinot Noir• Insight into vinification process• Degustation of local Swiss wine

Cheese Dairy• Insights into the production process

of local cheese• Degustation of local cheese

Trip in the unique Lavauxregion - UNESCO world heritage

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Prolongation of your stay

For participants who want to stay longer, there is the possibility of:

• Downhill skiing• Cross-country skiing• Winter hiking• Skating• Wellness• etc.

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Useful internet addresses• www.sbb.ch• www.leysin.ch• www.classic-hotel.ch • www.meteoschweiz.ch

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Thank you for your attention

Jacqueline BirrerFederal Office for AgriculturePhone: +41 31 322 05 43Email: jacqueline.birrer@blw.admin.ch