Association "The most beautiful Villages in Switzerland"

The association, founded in 2015, promotes and enhances the most beautiful municipalities in the Confederation and the Principality with fewer than 10'000 inhabitants by networking them. A scientific committee assesses each candidacy according to a quality charter, which in addition to beauty includes criteria such as history, landscape, harmony, sustainability and local products.

Since 2017, the association has been part of the international federation of the most beautiful villages of the World, and since 2019 of the UN-programme "One Planet" for sustainable tourism. In fact, the project also aims to protect local customs and to fight against the depopulation of remote valleys. Well-known places such as Ascona on the shores of Lake Maggiore or Saint-Saphorin on the shores of Lake Geneva shed light on smaller, but absolutely unique realities such as Tschlin in the Lower Engadine or Albinen in the Upper Valais.

The important role of history in this network is exemplified by the ancient republic of Gersau in Canton Schwyz or the character of Farinet linked to the town of Saillon in the lower Valais. And that's without forgetting gastronomic delicacies such as gruyere cheese in the historic village of Gruyères in the pre-Alps of Fribourg or the tasty Kägi chocolate wafers in the town of Lichtensteig in Toggenburg. In short, there's something for everyone, and diversity is the hallmark of Switzerland's most beautiful villages.