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Home , Avenches, Cossonay, Lake Morat, Mauraz, Moudon, Rivaz

The canton of 2015 Vaud has the 3rd largest population of any Swiss canton and is ideally positioned at the intersection of ’s major communication routes. It offers all of ’s principal advantages: strong academic institutions, a rich and diversified economy, political stability and a much-envied quality of life. COVER IMAGE

New Headquaters of the International Olympic Committee in . Lausanne consolidates its position as Olympic capital and world centre of sport administration by unveiling its new project called “House of Olympic Unity”. ©3XN THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch

ChapteRS

Strong points p. 4

The authorities p. 8

THE CANTON'S priority p. 9

History p. 10

finance p. 12

The cultural heritage of Vaud p. 13

Innovation p. 14

Some projects p. 15

The Canton in numbers p. 18 THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 4

Strong points

Tourism

The Canton de Vaud is an ideal The Canton’s particular attraction place for a vacation. It is easy is its art of living: local and inter- to reach and offers a full range national festivals, open-air sports, of accommodation, from five- typical regional cuisine and top- star luxury hotels to charming level gastronomy, outstanding bed & breakfasts. And in Vaud , old traditions… these are you can sample all the beauty just a few of the elements that of Switzerland: explore the high delight our visitors to this land of , the great spaces of the discoveries. and the authentic charm of the countryside, stroll along its lake shores and through the winding streets of its towns steeped in Panoramic restaurant at history. in the . © OTV - Laurent Ryser THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 5

New Headquaters of the Health sport International Olympic Committee in Lausanne. Lausanne consolidates its position as Lausanne’s University Hos- Home to the International Olym- Olympic capital and world centre of pital (CHUV) has European pic Committee (IOC) since 1915, sport administration by unveiling its status and develops research Lausanne was officially named new project called “House of Olympic partnerships with biomedical the Olympic capital in 1994. Unity”. © 3XN companies which stimulate the Also in the canton are the Olym- cantonal economy. pic Museum, 36 federations and 19 sports-related international The canton also benefits from a organisations. dense network of medical-social establisments (EMS) comple- www.vd.ch/sport-international mented by an excellent home- www.olympic.org care system.

www.vd.ch/soins www.chuv.ch THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 6

Mobility Education

Supporting economic growth Vaud is one of Switzerland’s most while preserving the quality of important educational areas. In life requires that all the regions addition to its famous university in the canton are linked to an dating to 1537, it has one of efficient and comprehensive the two federal universities of transport network open to the science and technology (EPFL), surrounding areas. To achieve this and more than a dozen schools of and address the traffic saturation advanced studies (HES) in fields on some routes, it is important as varied as engineering, health, that the different ways of moving education, design, the arts, and around complement each other. hotel management.

The Canton de Vaud is focus- www.unil.ch ing on road and railway projects www.epfl.ch The building at 19 rue du that will improve the entire travel www.vd.ch/enseignement-superieur Dr César-Roux in Lausanne, chain. The upgrading of public www.vd.ch/apprentissage renovated to welcome the Santé Vaud transport ties in with the moderni- School of Advanced Studies (HESAV). © Lionel Henriod sation of the road network and the development of non-motorised travel (“mobilité douce”). www.vd.ch/mobilite

Auditorium of the Santé Vaud School of Advanced Studies (HESAV) in the renovated building at 19 rue du Dr César-Roux. © Lionel Henriod THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 7

The Roman Museum in Culture is located in an 11th century tower overlooking the Roman amphitheatre. With its numerous cultural sites, It has a wealth of historical © NVP 3D buildings, activities and festivals, monuments, castles and fine the canton draws a large audience houses as well as the exceptional from far beyond its borders. All vineyards of , classified as forms of cultural expression by a UNESCO World Heritage site. well established artists take place here. There is a strong emphasis www.vd.ch/culture on young creative talents who www.musees.vd.ch benefit from prestigious training, www.patrimoine.vd.ch financial assistance and multi- ple opportunities for presenting their work.

The canton offers more than 80 museums devoted to fine arts, science, history and many other subjects ranging from sport and games to photography and food. THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 8

THE CANTON'S authorities

Legislative

Legislative power is exercised by the Grand Council, a composed of 150 members elect- ed by proportional representation. The constituencies correspond to the districts, ensuring that all the regions in the canton are represented.

Ever since 1946, political power in the canton has been shared by a centre-right majority and a left-wing minority associated the State Council with the government. However, has a majority of women the political landscape changed for the first time in its history in 2012 with the centre-right becoming a minority in the State Council, and with the arrival of a new group in the Council, the The executive The judiciary Green Liberals. Executive authority is exer- Judicial authorities and offices The Grand Council sits every cised by the State Council, a attached to the cantonal court Tuesday except during school government of seven members are: the cantonal tribunal, the holidays. Its sessions are open to elected directly by the people. urban courts, the juvenile court, the public and can be followed on Each State Councillor also the bail court, the tribunal of con- the Internet. heads a Department. straints and sentencing, justices of the peace, the claims offices, www.vd.ch/gc Since the last cantonal elections the bankruptcy offices and the in 2012, the State Council has a cantonal commercial registry. Groups in the state Council majority of women for the first time in its history: four women www.vd.ch/ojv Liberal-Radical (PLR) and three men. Three parties are www.vd.ch/justice 47 members represented: Socialist (3) Liberal Socialist (SOC) 40 members Radical (3) and Green (1) Central Democratic Union (UDC) 26 members www.vd.ch/autorites Greens (VER) 19 members www.vd.ch/ce Green Liberals (V’L) 7 members www.vd.ch/departements PDC – Vaud Libre 6 members The Left POP-solidaritéS 5 members THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 9

the Priority

From left to right The legislative COMMITMENT TO programme 2012-2017 sustainable development Béatrice Métraux Green, The legislative programme is Putting a sustainable develop- head of the Department an action guide for the govern- ment policy into action requires of Institutions and Security ment and the administration over the use of specific tools. Since a five-year period. Its measures 2004 the canton of Vaud has been Jacqueline de Quattro and actions draw on the Canton’s using such tools and making them Liberal-Radical, strengths to deliver the best re- available to the public, including head of the Department of sponses to the challenges that lie boussole21.ch for the evaluation Territory and the Environment ahead. of projects, a guide to respon- sible professional purchasing, Anne-Catherine Lyon Halfway through the current term and Smeo for the construction Socialist, of office, more than 130 actions of durable buildings and neigh- head of the Department of in the legislative programme have bourhoods. Education, Youth and Culture been undertaken. The work of the State Council, based on searching www.vd.ch/durable Pierre-Yves Maillard for practical comprises, contin- Socialist, ues to show results. Population The Canton's objectives president of the Council, growth will be the major chal- for sustainable development are head of the Department of lenge in the coming years. Health and Social Services àà to give the authorities room for manoeuvre in investment Pascal Broulis www.vd.ch/2012-2017 planning by keeping the public Liberal-Radical, finances under control head of the Department of àà to combat climate warming by Finance and External Relations promoting the use of renewable energy and public transport Philippe Leuba Liberal-Radical, àà to help protect the environ- head of the Department ment and promote the efficient of the Economy and Sports use of natural ressources

àà to integrate everyone into Nuria Gorrite society and the world of work. Socialist, head of the Department of Infrastructure and Human Resources THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 10

HISTORY

A land and its origins Principal events before our era

45-35 million years ago 10-5 million years ago 18, 000 BC In 58 BC The enclosing of a sea The Jura was the last The Canton was almost pre- followed by the colli- Alpine mass to be entirely covered by vented the Helve- sion of two continen- formed. A late geo- glaciers. They added tians from migrating tal plates led to the logical surge pushed the final touch to the towards Gaul and formation of the Alps. up the limestone landscape creating imposed Roman rule. In Vaud, they reach a rocks that are its main the lakes, shaping the Avenches became the peak of 3,209 metres component. The Vaud mountains and leaving capital of at Les . section is one of the behind important and the whole region highest, most folded accumulations of rocks prospered with new parts of the Jurassic known as “moraine”. techniques of building range. in stone. was 13,500 BC introduced and trade After the glaciers re- flourished. treated, the region was occupied by Paleolithic BRONZE AGE: Funeral ceremony at Lausanne- hunters. Around 5500 , in the late 10th century BC. BC, they settled on the The embers of the funeral pyre are still smoking. The shores of the lakes. By cremation urn and its cover lie at the feet of one of around 2000 BC they the officiants. had mastered some © Cantonal museums, Sion; Cantonal Museum of metallurgy and begun History and Archeology, Lausanne, and Museum of Art and History, . Drawing: André Houout, to clear certain areas colourist: Jocelyne Charrance of land. THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 11

From the first Millennium to the The Canton is created

4th -10th centuries 1536 Revolution Sovereignty In the 5th century BC, The Vaudois were Major Davel attempted On February 19 1803, the region was inha- on the losing side in to liberate the region ’s Act of bited by the Burgundian wars from the Bernese. Mediation created a who lived in peace (1475-1476) and in On March 31 1723, he Canton de Vaux within with the Helvetians. 1536 were conquered entered Lausanne the Helvetic Confe- Then came 500 years by the Bernese, who with 500-600 soldiers deration, on an equal of domination by the governed for them and demanded its footing with other Kings of the Francs, 262 years. Following independence. He was cantons, and gave it a including 150 years a theological dispute, arrested the next day, republican constitu- in the Kingdom of the church embraced condemned to death, tion. The first session where it had the and and beheaded at Vidy of the Grand Council a good deal of auto- Berne protected the on April 24. was held in Lausanne nomy. Vaudois from the wars January 24 1798, the on April 14, which in Europe. independence of Vaud makes this the second 10th – 16th centuries was proclaimed in most important date At the start of the Lausanne. The Bernese for patriotic Vaudois. second Millennium, withdrew for fear of the comitatus walden- Napoleon’s army that The Constitution sis (county of Vaud) had placed Vaud un- The first constitution was ceded to the der its protection. The was introduced in diocese of Lausanne. “Canton du Léman” 1803 and went through During the 13th cen- was then integrated a series of revisions, as tury, the Patria vuaudi into the short-lived in the other cantons. became a small state . was with as its proclaimed in 1831 and capital. It was ruled by Vaud was the first can- the Counts of , ton to extend it to in- notably Pierre II de clude women, in 1959. Want to know more about the history Savoie, “the little The new constitution Charlemagne”, and of the canton? dates from 2003. the Archbishop of Some 30 pages of the Historical Lausanne was Dictionary of Switzerland are excluded. available on line (in French, German, and Italian), arranged chronologically and by subject: politics, religion, the economy, etc.) www.vd.ch/histoire THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 12

Finance

The cantonal accounts were of 3.7%, in line with the budget considered as economy-related closed for 2014 with a surplus forecast. The chief differences (real estate gains, transfer taxes, of 800,000 francs. Expenses for were in personnel cost, social inheritance taxes and donations) the year rose to 9,517.8 million work, health, training, culture and showed a reduction of 60 million francs including closing pay- transport. over the previous year. ments of 599 million, compared with 841 million in 2013. This Revenues were 9,518.6 million, Lastly, after nine consecutive amount consisted of unbudgeted an increase of 72 million francs years of reductions, the total de- repay- ments principally concer- but only 0.8 greater than at year- ficit rose from 475 to 575 mil- ning EMS and specialised insti- end 2013. The largest element lion, largely due to paying a new tutions, and pre-financing in key in revenues, income tax, rose tranche of 180 million as part of sectors such as tourism, economic by 1.1% (below cantonal GDP the recapitalisation of the Pension development, and professional estimated to rise by 1.9% in 2014, Fund, and to an increase in the training. and less than the population power of the investments. increase of 1.6% in 2014). The Cantonal operating expenses in reduction of 10 million francs in 2014 were 4 million less than corporation tax mostly reflected budgeted, rising by 322 million the lower legal rate introduced over 2013. This represents a rise in January 2014. The taxes

In 2014, each 100 francs spent by the canton was divided as follows:

Culture, leisure, sport, churches 1.59 fr. Environmental protection and land Traffic managemente 3.11 fr. 0.84 fr. Economic affairs 5.17 fr.

Public safety Education and training 7.13 fr. 26.59 fr.

Finance and taxes 7.23 fr.

General administration 8.02 fr.

Social security 26.10 fr. Health 14.21 fr. THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 13

The cultural heritage of Vaud

The Fête des Vignerons (here in 1999) In 2012, Switzerland published A short introduction to the liv- was included by the Federal Council a list of its on-going traditions, ing traditions in the canton is in the list of living traditions that will including such activities as the now publicly available. People be sent to UNESCO for registration as part of the cultural heritage of hu- Carnival in , the Onion Fair who actively maintain these tra- manity. Once in each generation ever in Berne, the Fête des Vignerons ditions are offering conferences since the 18th century, the Confrérie in , the art of paper cut- with workshops and demonstra- des Vignerons has organised this ting in Simmenthal and the Pays tions, and this guide will not only event celebrating the efforts of d’Enhaut, and the youth country give them publicity but also pay growers and those who work the land, the fertile cycle of the seasons, the festivals. Now that the inventory, tribute to their efforts, passions, love of the country and the region of identification and documentation skills and savoir-faire. Paper-cut- their birth. © Confrérie des Vignerons phase is largely complete, the ting work- shops, a description of canton of Vaud has launched an life in a circus, patois courses for initiative in 2014 to raise aware- the younger generation, recount- ness of its cultural heritage. To ing Vaudois legends in the forest, keep this heritage alive, it is im- demonstrating how to make oils, portant to encourage people to or friendly local gatherings to pass on these traditions and give prepare raisinée… The range is them a place in today’s society. huge. The guide is an invitation to try new experiences and is a first in Switzerland.

www.patrimoine.vd.ch/immateriel THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 14 innovation

Innovation: the catalyst of economic development The canton has a major advantage diverse and dynamic economy, in terms of innovation. It has a leading to major technological unique concentration of schools developments. In 2014, approxi- of advanced studies and inter- na- mately one third of the 100 best tionally recognised research ins- start-ups in Switzerland were lo- titutes. In addition, a structure of cated in Vaud. laboratories, incubators and tech- nology platforms enables start- Innovators receive invaluable ups, SMEs and multi-nationals to support from the Innovaud as- benefit from scientific expertise socia tion which provides free and advanced equipment at ins- advice to entrepreneurs on coa- titutions such as CHUV, EPFL, ching, financing, promotion and HEIG-VD and UNIL. accommodation, as well as sug- gesting suitable partners. Collaborations are constantly being set up between science and For more information: key companies in the canton’s www.innovaud.ch

The 28 start-ups in Vaud ranked in the top 100 in Switzerland (2014):

Life Sciences Information and energy and Environmental

communications Technologies Abionic Technology Anokion ActLight DistalMotion 3BaysOver CombaGroup Leman Micro Devices BugBuster OsmoBlue Lunaphore CashSentinel MindMaze DomoSafety Precision industry Qloudlab Fasttree 3D L.E.S.S SamanTree Technologies HouseTrip senseFly SmartCardia Kandou Imina Technologies Sophia Genetics Pix4D Swiss Space Systems ScanTrust SWISSto12 Typesafe Inc. THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 15

SOME projects

RER Vaud, the key to greater mobility

The principal mission of the RER A number of measures are being (Regional Express network) in planned to handle passenger vo- Vaud is to provide strong links lumes that are forecast to double between all regions of the canton. on RER Vaud, including the im- A frequent, comfortable, train provement of timetables and in- service is at the heart of the plans creasing the comfort of regional to develop public transport in the railways and . There is also years ahead, replacing regional an ambitious development pro- railways and buses in delivering gramme for metros running from passengers to the urban centres. Lausanne station, the principal hub of the RERs. This critical link in the transport chain will be significantly im- proved. Extensions to Grandson and are planned, as well as direct links to the Vallée de Joux. Schedules will be increased, in particular on the la line, with a normal frequency of 30 minutes on the main routes. By 2020, trains will run every 15 minutes between and Cully.

The VAUD RER (regional express network) provides modern comfortable trains that run frequently. © Jean-Bernard Sieber ARC THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 16

Conservation and restoration of the castle of Saint-Maire Saint-Maire Castle, built from The interiors that date from 1400-1430 in molasse and red medieval and renaissance periods brick, is one of the canton’s most are partially preserved, especially important fortresses dating from the wonderful coloured frescoes the end of the middle ages. It has in the corridors and the decoration played a role in the affairs of the of the bishop’s hall. However, region for most of its life, first as the serious deterioration of the the official residence of the bis- castle’s external walls requires a hop, then as the headquarters of full-scale repair and restoration the Bernese bailiffs and today as project to ensure its long-term The Cantonal castle, where the State Council meetings are the seat of the State Council. protection. held. @ Rémy Gindroz THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 17

This project is being managed by The completion of the work and the canton’s buildings heritage an inauguration are scheduled for and logistics service. Its priori- late 2017. ties are to conserve and restore the historic structure, renovate www.patrimoine.vd.ch/chateau- the technical installations and en- saint-maire Religious frescoes ergy systems, optimise the use of on the interior walls of the castle. space, and reallocate the rooms. © BIC

Working on the facades involves techniques for preserving and consolidating the stone. As for the interior, three new features will give provide a contemporary upgrade: • A multi-functional press area in a suite of cellars, offering exterior access; • An all-glass meeting room under the roof. • An elevator, set into the walls, between the upper and lower parts of the building.

The walls of the cantonal castle are in need of renovation. © BIC THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015 www.vd.ch 18

The Canton in numbers

Geography permanent resident population 31.12.2013 Surface area...... 321,205 hectares ...... 4th biggest canton Most populous ...... 7.8% of national territory municipality...... Lausanne Inhabited and ...... (132,626 inhabitants) infrastructure area. 9.3% Least populous Farming area...... 42.4% municipality...... Wooded area...... 32.1% ...... (52 inhabitants) Lake area...... 12.1% Population...... 743,317 inhabitants ...... , ...... 31.12.2013 ...... Lake Neuchâtel, Growth in 2013...... 1.8% ...... , Lake Joux Density...... 262 inhabitants per km2 Non-productive area.4% ...... (without lakes) ...... other lakes, rivers, Non-Swiss residents.... 32.4% ...... glaciers, snow, ...... areas without vegetation Employment full-time equivalents, ...... or with non-productive in 2012 (preliminary data) ...... vegetation Highest point...... , 3,210 metres Jobs...... 331,756 Lowest point...... Lake Geneva, 372 metres Primary sector...... 9,295 (2.8%) Borders...... 750 kilometres, Secondary sector...... 67,764 (20.4%) ...... including a 146 km frontier Tertiary sector...... 254,697 (76.8%) ...... with Sources: Structure Swiss Federal Statistical Office (OFS), Swiss Surface Statistics, data 2004-2005. OFS, Statistique structurelle des entreprises 2011, Capital ...... Lausanne, data August 2013 th ...... 4 largest Swiss city Statistics Vaud, annual statistics of the population. st Municipalities...... 318 since January 1 , 2013, www.stat.vd.ch ...... of which 16 have more than ...... 10,000 inhabitants Districts...... 10 Smallest B C municipality ...... (0.31 hectares) Biggest municipality Château-d’Oex ...... (113.71 hectares) 4 2 A Districts 3 Lakes 7 1. Aigle 6. Lavaux – Oron 9 5 6 A. Lake Joux 2. Broye – Vully 7. 8 D 10 B. Lake Neuchâtel 3. Gros-de-Vaud 8. C. Lake Morat 4. Jura – Nord 9. Ouest lausannois 1 D. Lake Geneva vaudois 10. Riviera – 5. Lausanne Pays-d’Enhaut THE CANTON OF VAUD 2015

Lakes

A. Lake Joux B. Lake Neuchâtel C. Lake Morat D. Lake Geneva Design: cemcav–CHUV — Text: www.vd.ch/bic — Page layout: Emilie Matti, BIC — Translation: Baxter Lindsay — Printed on 60 % recycledrpaper, FSC