Brochure Welcome To Canton de Vaud

ANGLAIS
WELCOME
BIENVINI, WELCOME, MIRË SE VINI, MARHABA, KARIBU, WELKOM,
DOBRODOŠLI, BIENVENIDO, UDVOZLOM, VELKOMMIN, BENVENUTO,
TONGA SOA, BEM-VINDO, SWAGATA, WILLKOMMEN, NAL-VARRAVU,
BOYEI BOLAMU, VITAJTE, YÔKOSO,
TO THE CANTON OF VAUD

INTRODUCTION
1
The State welcomes all foreigners.
2
The State and the municipalities encourage their integration in conditions of
mutual respect of identities and the values which underlie the rule of law.
Art.68, Canton of Vaud Constitution from April 14th 2003
The proportion of foreigners in the Canton of Vaud (30.5% of the population) is one of
the highest in Switzerland. Over 175 different nationalities are represented and live
together in our canton.
The integration of foreigners and the prevention of racism is an important political

and social challenge for the future. Vaud owes its diversified population to the many
different countries of origin of its citizens, the range of languages spoken, the migratory
paths followed and the number of religious affiliations. This diversity represents both a
treasure and a challenge.
Integration is the concern of the entire population, both Swiss and foreign, and is
covered by the two fundamental principles listed in the Constitution: mutual respect of
identities and respect for the rule of law.
Head of the Economy Department
Philippe Leuba
Member of the State Council
1
WELCOME TO THE CANTON OF VAUD
Dear newcomers,
You have just arrived in the canton of Vaud and we wish to welcome you with great
pleasure. The cantonal authorities are committed to helping you settle here by giving
you all the useful information for any procedures you would like to undertake.
The «Welcome to the Canton of Vaud» booklet has been created to provide you with
useful information and addresses in various areas to help you in your daily life (residence,
health care, schooling, work, accommodation, language courses, meeting spaces…).
All this information, translated into several languages, is also available on the Cantonal
Office for the Integration of Foreigners and Prevention of Racism (Bureau cantonal pour
l'intégration des étrangers et la prevention du racisme)'s website:
www.vd.ch/vivre-vaud
We hope that this booklet will meet your needs and expectations, and we would like to
offer you once more, dear newcomers, our best wishes for a pleasant stay in the land
of Vaud.
Mrs Amina Benkais

Cantonal representative for integration and
head of the Cantonal Office for the Integration
of Foreigners and Prevention of Racism
Bureau cantonal pour l’intégration des étrangers

et la prévention du racisme (BCI)
Département de l’économie
Service de la Population
Rue du Valentin 10, 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 316 49 59
 info.integration@vd.ch
 www.vd.ch/integration

The information collected in this booklet will be regularly
updated. The Cantonal Office for the Integration of Foreigners
and Prevention of Racism (Bureau cantonal pour l'intégration
des étrangers et la prévention du racisme) is available for any
request for updates, corrections or suggestions in order to
improve the information for people newly arriving in the canton.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MAP OF THE CANTON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
RESIDENCE PERMITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Obtaining a residence permit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Working in Switzerland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Family reunification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Early C permit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Becoming a Swiss national . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
LEARNING FRENCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Courses organised by associations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Courses organised by private schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
French level certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Foreign languages and cultural courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Intercultural meeting spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
INTERPRETATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
SOCIAL INSURANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Health insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Subsidies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Accident insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Finding a doctor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Maternity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Pregnancy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Pregnancy leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
After the birth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Sexual health counselling – family planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Migration and intimacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Home help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Domestic violence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
FAMILY LIFE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Marital status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Wedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Registered partnership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Day-care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Baby-sitting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Red Cross – day-care for sick children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Recreational centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Family and couple counselling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
EDUCATION AND TRAINING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Compulsory school. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Supervised homework. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
After compulsory school. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Scholarship grants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Recognition of diplomas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
4
LIBRAIRIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Public libraries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Intercultural library – Globlivres. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Cantonal and university library (bcu). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Looking for employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Unemployment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Employment associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Trade unions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
HOUSING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
How to find accommodation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Rent guarantee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Subsidised flats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Association for the defence of tenants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Sorting waste. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
FINANCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Opening a bank or a post office account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Sending money abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Debts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
LEGAL ADVICE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Counselling for women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Counselling related to the law for equality between men and women. . . 75
Youth counselling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Counselling following a racist offence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
MOBILITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
By train. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
By bus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
By car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
On two-wheeled vehicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Pedestrians, pedibus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
THE CANTON OF VAUD AND ITS INHABITANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Organisation of cantonal politics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Voting rights and eligibility in the canton of Vaud. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
USEFUL CONTACTS
FOR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
The Consultative Chamber of Immigrants for the Canton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Cantonal office for the integration of foreigners
and prevention of racism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Lausanne office for the integration of immigrants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Administrative mediation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
City representatives for integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Swiss-foreigners town committees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
La fraternite, social service for immigrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
5
MAP OF THE CANTON OF VAUD
BROYE-
VULLY Lac
Lac de de Morat
Neuchâtel
FR
JURA
NORD VAUDOIS
FR
FR
BROYE-
VULLY
GROS-DE-VAUD Canton de Fribourg

(FR)
Lac de Joux
MORGES LAUSANNE
OUEST
LAUSANNOIS LAVAUX-
ORON
RIVIERA
NYON Lac Léman PAYS-D’ENHAUT
GE
AIGLE
Canton
de Genève
(GE)
Zone 1 : Jura – Nord Vaudois, Gros-de-Vaud, Broye – Vully

Zone 2 : Nyon, Morges
Zone 3 : Ouest lausannois
Zone 4 : Lavaux – Oron, Riviera – Pays d’Enhaut, Aigle
Zone 5 : Lausanne

All the information contained in this booklet is available on
the Cantonal Office for the Integration of Foreigners and
Prevention of Racism:’s website : www.vd.ch/vivre-vaud
6
RESIDENCE PERMITS
OBTAINING A RESIDENCE PERMIT

The residence permit must be requested at the residents' registration office in the
commune where you live, when you announce your arrival there. For further information,
contact your local residents' registration office. Contact details are available on the
website www.avdch.ch, or contact the cantonal service

Anyone staying in Switzerland longer than three months
must possess a residence permit.
Service de la population
Av. de Beaulieu 19, 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 316 46 46
 info.population@vd.ch
(general questions)
 info.etrangers@vd.ch
(specific questions or regarding a personal file)
or visit one of the following websites:

www.vd.ch/entree-et-sejour

www.ch.ch  vie privée  permis de séjour 
séjour et établissement

www.odm.admin.ch  thèmes  séjour 
autorisations de travail
RENEWAL
As for the authorisation request upon arrival, the procedure to renew the permit must
be done by the commune. The permit is valid for residence in the canton which delivered
it. When changing canton, a new permit must be requested as soon as possible at the
residents' registration office of the commune of residence.

With a motivated request beforehand, it is possible for a C
permit holder to obtain an extension of their authorisation for
up to 4 years when living outside Switzerland.
7
RESIDENCE PERMITS
WORKING IN SWITZERLAND
The Swiss immigration policy is based on a dual-admission system: people originating
from European countries and people from so-called Third States.
> Workers originating from European countries (UE/EFTA) benefit from the advantages
guaranteed by the full “freedom of movement of people” agreement, which allows
entry into Switzerland and engagement in a gainful activity.
> Only a limited number of well-qualified workers, managers or specialists are admitted
from so-called Third States. For all questions regarding the necessary work permits
for the canton of Vaud, please contact:
Service de l’emploi
Rue Caroline 11, 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 316 61 04
 info.sde@vd.ch
 www.emploi.vd.ch
You can find more information on the following websites:

Type of residence for Third States: www.vd.ch/sejours-
etats-tiers

Type of residence for CE/EFTA: www.vd.ch/sejours-ue-aele

F permit holders are allowed to work. For further
information, ask for the “Employing is Integrating”
booklet published by the Cantonal Office for Integration by
phoning 021 316 49 59 or by email at: info.integration@vd.ch
FAMILY REUNIFICATION
Family reunification is possible under certain conditions, depending on the country of
origin and the type of residence permit issued. More precise information is available at
the residents' registration office of the commune of residence or on the website:

www.vd.ch/vivre-vaud  informations pratiques 
autorisations de séjour  regroupement familial
or please contact:

Service de la population, Division étrangers
 Tel. 021 316 46 46
8
EARLY C PERMIT (ART.34, AL. 4, LETR)
Nationals from so-called Third States who hold a B permit (annual residence permit)
may file a request for a C permit after a regular and uninterrupted stay of five years in
Switzerland, when they have achieved integration, and in particular when they:
> respect the laws and values of the federal Constitution,
> have a knowledge of the national language spoken in their place of residence at the
A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, published
by the Council of Europe (see “Learning French” chapter). Knowledge of another
national language can also be taken into account where appropriate, and
> demonstrate their willingness to take part in the economic life and to undergo
training.
For further information, please contact the residents' registration office of the commune
of residence or:
Service de la population, Division étrangers

 Tel. 021 316 46 46
 www.vaud.ch/permis-c-anticipe
BECOMING A SWISS NATIONAL

To obtain Swiss citizenship, you must live in Switzerland during the entire procedure
and meet several conditions:
> In Switzerland:
• 12 years of residency in Switzerland, of which three out of the last five
immediately preceding the application,
• between the ages of 10 and 20, the years of residency count double,
• when a request is filed simultaneously by two spouses, only one of whom
fulfils the residency conditions, the required residency period for the other
may be reduced to five years, provided the couple has been married and
living together for three years.
> In the canton of Vaud:

• 3 years of residency, including the last one prior to the application and
between one and three years in the commune of residency
• the application can be filed for an entire family or for some of its members
only (one of the two parents and children under 18) or by children from the
age of 11 (if they were born in Switzerland).
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RESIDENCE PERMITS
> Other conditions:

• to hold a temporary or permanent residence permit (B and C permits; F
permit if there is no decision for expulsion),
• to be ready to undertake certain civic duties: tax payment (if eligible) and
military or community service,
• to respect Swiss law: no criminal record,
• to have a sound moral and financial reputation,
• to not compromise Switzerland's internal or external security,
• to be well-integrated in the Swiss and Vaud community, in particular through
knowledge of French, integration in professional and social life,
• to demonstrate your loyalty to Switzerland and its institutions
by your behaviour.

A simplified naturalisation procedure is available to
foreigners born in Switzerland, second-generation 14 to 24
year-olds (who have received most of their compulsory
education in Switzerland), foreign spouses of Swiss nationals
and/or children who have one Swiss parent. This
administrative procedure must be referred to the commune
of residence.
For further information about naturalisation,

please contact your commune of residence or:
SERVICE DE LA POPULATION ; DIVISION NATURALISATION

Rue de Langallerie 9 (5th floor), 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 316 45 91
 info.naturalisation@vd.ch
 www.vd.ch/naturalisation
10
LEARNING FRENCH
A certain number of the courses organised by associations are subsidised by the

canton and/or the communes. The courses are meant primarily for people with limited
resources.
 Some courses offer financial arrangements depending on
the learner’s situation.
An up-to-date list of courses is available on the website: www.vd.ch/integration
COURSES ORGANISED BY ASSOCIATIONS
ZONE 1 : Jura – Nord vaudois, Gros-de-Vaud, Broye – Vully
Brassus (Le)
NAME Lire et Ecrire, section du Nord Vaudois
Route de France 1, 1348 Le Brassus
DAYS/TIMES Tuesday 18:00 to 20:00,
Wednesday 9:00 to 11:00 and 18:00 to 20:00
LEVEL Refresher classes for reading and writing.
Literacy classes for adults able to speak French
Price CHF 50.–/month (special arrangement possible)
REGISTRATION Rue du Collège 4, 1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
Tel. 024 425 32 22
(Monday to Thursday mornings)
Echallens
NAME Français en Jeu
Collège de Court-Champ
Salle de réunion, bâtiment 2, 1040 Echallens
DAYS/TIMES Thursday 18:00 to 20:00
(except during school holidays)
LEVEL Beginner and introduction to the school system organisation
for non-French-speaking parents of pupils
“Learning about School” course
Price CHF 10.–
REGISTRATION On-site with the teacher
or at the Collège de Court-Champ's main office
11
LEARNING FRENCH
Moudon
Rue Mauborget 6, 1510 Moudon
DAYS/TIMES Various according to the level
LEVEL A1 to B1, in Moudon and Lucens (semi-intensive)
PriCE CHF 10.- + CHF 20.- for course material
REGISTRATION Monday 17:00 to 19:00 or by appointment
Rue Mauborget 6, 1510 Moudon
 Tel. 021 905 44 64
 moudon@francaisenjeu.ch
INFORMATION “Learning about School” course in Moudon: French course,
beginner level and introduction to the school system
organisation for non-French-speaking parents of pupils
Orbe
NAME Caritas Vaud
Centre Omnisport, Puisoir, salle de musique, 1350 Orbe
LEVEL 7 classes, A1.1 to A2
PriCE Free course, CHF 25.- for course material
Inscription Compulsory registration: Monday 16:30 to 18:30
 Tel. 079 289 10 88
NAME Lire et Ecrire, Section du Nord Vaudois

Rue de la Tournelle 1, 1350 Orbe
DAYS/TIMES Tuesday 18:30 to 21:00
PriCE CHF 50.–/month (special arrangement possible)
 Tel. 024 425 32 22
12
Payerne
NAME Cours de français pour adultes non francophones
Collège de la Nouvelle Promenade, 1530 Payerne
DAYS/TIMES Wednesday 18:00 to 20:00 and Thursday 17:15 to 19:00,
Tuesday 18:30 to 20:00, Thursday 18:30 to 20:00,
Saturday 10:30 to 12:00 and
for 16 to 25 year-olds: Wednesday 14:00 to 16:00
LEVEL Literacy classes, beginner, intermediate and advanced
PriCE From CHF 80.- to 260.-
depending on income and number of classes
REGISTRATION Tuesday and Thursday from 18:00
Collège de la Nouvelle Promenade
M. Jean-Luc Chaubert
 Tel. 077 402 92 75
from 9:00 to 11:30, Monday to Friday
 gsepe@1530.ch

Rue de Lausanne 25, 1530 Payerne
PriCE CHF 50.–/month (special arrangement possible)
 Tel. 024 425 32 22
13
LEARNING FRENCH
Yverdon-les-Bains
NAME Caritas Vaud
Rue du Collège 4, 1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
LEVEL 13 classes, literacy classes, A1.1 to A2
PRICE Free course, CHF 25.- for course material
REGISTRATION Compulsory registration: Tuesday 14:00 to 17:00
 Tel. 024 425 32 48
InfoRmation Day-care for children of participants in the Tuesday and
Wednesday morning classes at the Espace Traits d'Union
(registration required)
Twice a year, preparatory course for the hearing of Swiss
citizenship applicants (understanding of French required).

Rue du Collège 4, 1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
DAYS/TIMES Monday 18:30 to 20:30, Tuesday 8:30 to 11:00 and 18:00 to 20:00,
Wednesday 18:30 to 21:00 and 18:00 to 20:00
and semi-intensive: Monday and Thursday 14:00 to 16:00
LEVEL Refresher classes for reading and writing
PRICE CHF 50.–/month for the basic course
CHF 100.-/month for the semi-intensive course
(special arrangement possible)
 Tel. 024 425 32 22
InfoRmation Free day-care for children (1 to 5 years old) of
participants in the Tuesday morning class (registration required).
NAME Tisserands du monde

Rue de la Maison Rouge,in the Catholic parish premises,
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
DAYS/TIMES Wednesday 13:00 to 14:30
PRICE Free courses
REGISTRATION On-site or by contacting Mrs Marie-Guillemette Rossi
 Tel. 076 339 96 50
14
NAME Thaïs and Friends
Collège de la Place d’Armes, 1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
DAYS/TIMES Thursday and Friday 16:45 to 18:45
LEVEL Beginner
PRICE CHF 2.50/hour
REGISTRATION Mrs Nisa Dessimoz
 Tel. 024 420 32 30
 nisa@dessimoz.org
InfoRmation The lecturers are people of Thaï origin who hold a Swiss
university diploma and have degrees in French and Literature.
NAME Verso
Quai de la Thièle 3, 1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
LEVEL Intensive beginner: 3 months 180 hours
Intermediate: 3 months 48 hours
Advanced: 4 months 60 hours
PRICE From CHF 6.60 to 10.-/hour
REGISTRATION  Tel. 024 420 10 45
 www.verso-yverdon.ch
InfoRmation Help for writing documents
(CV, cover letter, forms, etc.) from CHF 6.-
NAME Tamil Mandram

Service des Affaires Sociales
Rue des Pêcheurs 8 A, 1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
DAYS/TIMES Wednesday 18:00 to 20:00
LEVEL French classes for Sri Lankan women
PRICE Free
REGISTRATION M. Gnanaseelan Subramaniam
 Tel. 076 519 43 57
 subra.seelan@hotmail.com
InfoRmation Course only open to Sri Lankan women members of the
Tamil Mandram Association
15
LEARNING FRENCH
ZONE 2 : Nyon, Morges
Etoy
NAME Lire et Ecrire
Route de l’Industrie 2, 1163 Etoy
DAYS/TIMES Tuesday morning
PRICE CHF 50.–/month (special arrangement possible)
Monday to Friday 9:00 to 12:00 or by answering machine
Esp’Asse, route de l’Etraz 20b, 1260 Nyon
 lacote@lire-et-ecrire.ch
Gland
NAME Caritas Vaud
Bâtiment des Gardes-Forts, chemin du Vernay 4, 1196 Gland
LEVEL 8 classes, A1.1 to A2
REGISTRATION Compulsory registration: Tuesday 16:00 to 18:00
 Tel. 079 621 43 93
Morges
Portakabin, in the Collège Chanel schoolyard
Av. Chanel 51, 1110 Morges
DAYS/TIMES 2-hour classes weekly, morning, afternoon and evening
LEVEL A0 to B1, literacy classes
PRICE CHF 10.- + CHF 25.- for course material
REGISTRATION Tuesday 16:00 to 18:30 (on-site, except during school holidays)
INFORMATION Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00
 Tel. 021 801 71 68
 morges@francaisenjeu.ch
16
NAME Lire et Ecrire
Av. des Pâquis 24-26, 1110 Morges
DAYS/TIMES Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening
Nyon
NAME Caritas Vaud
Centre Esp'Asse, route de l'Etraz 20B, 1260 Nyon
LEVEL 13 classes, literacy classes, A1.1 to A2
REGISTRATION Compulsory registration: Monday 15:00 to 18:00
 Tel. 079 621 43 93
INFORMATION Day-care for children of participants
Preparatory course for the hearing of Swiss citizenship
applicants (understanding of French required).

NAME Lire et Ecrire
Rte de l’Etraz 20b, 1260 Nyon
PRICE CHF 50.–/month for the basic course
CHF 100.-/month for the semi-intensive course
17
LEARNING FRENCH
Rolle
NAME Lire et Ecrire
Collège du Martinet, 1180 Rolle
DAYS/TIMES Tuesday evening
18
ZONE 3 : Ouest lausannois
Bussigny
Au Raisin, rue de Lausanne 3, 1030 Bussigny
DAYS/TIMES Monday 18:00 to 20:00 (beginner) and 20:00 to 22:00
(intermediate), Tuesday 19:00 to 21:00 (elementary)
LEVEL Beginner, elementary and intermediate
Monday 14:00 to 17:00 (except during school holidays)
 ouest@francaisenjeu.ch
INFORMATION 1st Monday of every month 14:00 to 17:00 and Thursday from
17:00 to 19:00 (except during school holidays)
Rue de l’Avenir 6, 1020 Renens
NAME Solidarité Femmes Bussigny

Au Raisin, rue de Lausanne 3, 1030 Bussigny
DAYS/TIMES Monday 13:30 to 15:00
LEVEL 'Speaking time', various activities, games
AND INFORMATION
 Tel. 021 701 22 64
 Tel. 021 701 13 01
Classes intended for women
Crissier
Salle 1, Centre socio-culturel,
quartier pré-fontaine 58, 1023 Crissier
LEVEL 2-hour “Mother and Child” weekly French classes
for non-French speaking women
REGISTRATION Association «l’Avenir»
 Tel. 079 242 36 73
or Français en Jeu, West Lausanne (ouest lausannois) district
 Tel. 021 635 19 62
Monday 14:00 to 17:00 (except during school holidays)
Information Day-care for children over 2 1/2 years old.
Course organised by the Albanian-Swiss Association «l’Avenir»
and provided by Français en Jeu.
19
LEARNING FRENCH
Ecublens
NAME EVAM
Av. d’Epenex 8, 1024 Ecublens
LEVEL Elementary, beginner and literacy classes
PRICE Free of charge, loyalty contract with a CHF 500.- compensation
fine in case of unjustified dropping-out of the intensive course.
 Fax 021 671 58 60
Mr Modoux for intensive classes, Mr Ben Naceur for non-
intensive classes. All year round, via the orientation unit,
rue du Bugnon 42, 1020 Renens, or via the social workers.
Information For people assisted by EVAM or CSIR, holding an N, F or B
permit. 3 times a week or daily, depending on the kind of course:
– non-intensive (9h/week) EVAM centres in Ste-Croix, Bex,
Ecublens (Epeney 8) and Renens (Longemalle 7),
– intensive (24h – 28h/week) in Ecublens (Epeney 8) and Renens
(Longemalle 7).

Ch. du Veilloud 5, 1024 Ecublens
DAYS/TIMES 2 hours weekly, Wednesday 18:30 to 20:30
LEVEL Beginner
REGISTRATION 1st Monday of every month from 14:00 to 17:00,
and Thursday from 17:00 to 19:00
INFORMATION Monday 14:00 to 17:00 (except during school holidays)
 Tel. 021 635 19 62

Collège du Croset, Salle des sociétés
Ch. du Parc 1, 1024 Ecublens
LEVEL “Learning about School”: introductory French course and
introduction to the school system organisation for non-French-
speaking parents of pupils
PRICE CHF 10.-
REGISTRATION With the teacher (on-site, except during school holidays)
Mrs Michèle Rivera
 Tel. 076 459 85 66
20
NAME Lire et Ecrire
Collège du Croset, 1024 Ecublens
PRICE CHF 20.-/month, max. CHF 200.-/year (special arrangement possible)
REGISTRATION  Tél. 021 320 04 48
Rue de l’Avenir 6, 1020 Renens, Tuesday 16:00 to 19:00
Av. du Château 1, in Prilly, Tuesday 11:00 to 14:00
INFORMATION  Tel. 021 329 04 48
Every day from 09:00 to 17:00 (except Wednesday)
 lausanneetregion@lire-et-ecrire.ch
 www-lire-et-ecrire.ch
For residents of the West Lausanne district,
specifically from the communes of Prilly, Ecublens, Bussigny,
Chavannes-sur-Renens and Crissier
Prilly
Collège de l’Union, Ch. de l’Union 1, 1008 Prilly
DAYS/TIMES Wednesday 19:00 to 21:00 and Thursday 19:00 to 21:00
LEVEL Elementary and intermediate
REGISTRATION 1st Monday of every month from 14:00 to 17:00, and Thursday
from 17:00 to 19:00 (except during school holidays),
rue de l'Avenir 6, 1020 Renens
 Tel. 021 635 19 62
NAME Lire et Ecrire

Av. du Château 1, 1008 Prilly
PRICE CHF 20.-/month, maximum CHF 200.-/year
REGISTRATION On-site, Tuesday 11:00 to 14:00, rue de l'Avenir 6, 1020 Renens
 Tel. 021 329 04 48, every day from 09:00 to 17:00 (except Wednesday)
 www.lire-et-ecrire.ch
Information For residents of the West Lausanne district, specifically from the
communes of Prilly, Ecublens and Bussigny
21
LEARNING FRENCH
Renens
NAME Armée du Salut
Rue du Simplon 10, 1020 Renens
LEVEL Beginner, intermediate
PRICE CHF 40.-
REGISTRATION On-site in February and August
Rue du Simplon 10, 1020 Renens
 Tel. 021 634 33 97
 arclemanique@swi.salvationarmy.org
NAME Association Franc-Parler

Rue de l'Avenir 5, 3rd floor, 1020 Renens
LEVEL Literacy classes, beginner, intermediate, advanced, preparation
for the DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française)
PRICE CHF 20.-/month
REGISTRATION From Monday to Thursday 19:00 to 21:00 (on-site)
 Tel. 021 634 69 63
Mrs Emilie Bovet, Mrs Annick Budry
 francparler_renens@yahoo.fr

Rue de l'Avenir 6, 1020 Renens
DAYS/TIMES Wednesday and Thursday (9:00 to 12:00)
+ semi-intensive courses 2 hours/week
LEVEL A1 to B1, possibly B2
REGISTRATION On-site: 1st Monday of every month from 14:00 to 17:00
and Thursday from 17:00 to 19:00
 Tel. 021 635 19 62

22
Collège du Léman, Building «le Vaudaire»,
Espace repas APEMS, rue du Léman 10, 1020 Renens
LEVEL Beginner
PRICE CHF 10.-
REGISTRATION On-site (except during school holidays)
Mrs Michèle Rivera
 Tel. 076 459 85 66
inFORMATION “Learning about School”: introductory French course and
introduction to the school system organisation for
non-French-speaking parents of pupils
NAME Lire et Ecrire

Lausanne and Région, rue de l’Avenir 6, 1020 Renens
PRICE CHF 20.-/month, maximum CHF 200.-/year
REGISTRATION On-site, Tuesday 16:00 to 19:00
 Tel. 021 329 04 48
INFORMATION  Tel. 021 329 04 48
Every day from 09:00 to 17:00 (except Wednesday)
For residents of the West Lausanne district, specifically from
the communes of Renens, Ecublens and Bussigny
23
LEARNING FRENCH
ZONE 4 : Lavaux – Oron, Riviera – Pays d’Enhaut, Aigle
Aigle
NAME L’Appart «1741»,
Service communautaire de La Planchette
Ch. de la Planchette 16, 7th floor, 1860 Aigle
DAYS/TIMES Monday to Thursday, afternoons and evenings depending on
the level, from August to December and from January to June
LEVEL Beginner to intermediate
PRICE CHF 30.-/month (half-year enrolment)
REGISTRATION M. Serge Paccaud
Tuesday and Thursday 14:00 to 17:00, registration possible at any time
 Tel. 079 699 11 94
 Tel. 024 466 76 00
 sp@planchette.ch
 www.planchette.ch
Information 'Welcome' space Monday and Thursday 14:00 to 16:00
Workshop, services: Tuesday and Thursday 14:00 to 18:00
(letters, CVs, support). Daycare possible by prior arrangement

Collège des Dents-du-midi
Ch. de la Planchette, 1860 Aigle, room 008
PRICE CHF 10.-
REGISTRATION Mrs Claire-Lise Dubois Amiguet (on-site)
 Tel. 024 466 22 54
 Tel. 079 798 41 66
Information 'Learning about School': introductory French course and
introduction to the school system organisation
NAME Lire et Ecrire

Bibliothèque municipale Chablais
Place du Marché 4, 1860 Aigle
DAYS/TIMES Wednesday evening
PRICE CHF 50.-/month (special arrangement possible)
or CHF 30.-/hour if funded by a third party
(employer, social services, etc.)
REGISTRATION Only by telephone
Mrs Valia Della Valle
 Tel. 021 922 46 10
24
Bex
NAME Commission consultative multiculturelle de Bex (CCMB)
Bâtiment ancienne cure, rue de l'Indépendance, 1880 Bex
DAYS/TIMES Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening 19:00 to 21:00
and Thursday morning 9:00 to 11:00
LEVEL Beginner and 'false beginner'
PRICE CHF 80.-/semester (14 two-hour lessons),
course material included
REGISTRATION Mrs Nicole Chesaux, administrative coordinator
 Tel. 079 686 61 10
 famille.chesaux@yahoo.fr
Registration at any time. Forms available from the residents'
registration office are to be sent back to Greffe municipal,
rue Centrale 1, 1880 Bex or on the website:
 www.bex.ch  vivre à Bex  intégration
Information Day-care for children on Thursday morning
(Halte-garderie le Mille-pattes, prior registration
with the coordinator)
NAME Commission consultative multiculturelle de Bex

en association avec Français en Jeu
Collège Pré-de-la-Cible, Room 11
Ch. Pré-de-la-Cible 3, 1880 Bex
LEVEL Beginner
PRICE CHF 10.-
REGISTRATION Registration on-site (except during school holidays)
Mrs Dominique Athanasiadès
 Tel. 076 467 40 76
 Tel. 024 463 25 55
Information “Learning about School”: introductory French course and
introduction to the school system organisation for
non-French-speaking parents of pupils
25
LEARNING FRENCH
Clarens
Collège Vinet
Av. Alexandre-Vinet 6-8-10, Room 12, 1815 Clarens
LEVEL Beginner
PRICE CHF 10.-
REGISTRATION Monday from 17:30 to 19:00 (except during school holidays)
 Tel. 021 977 03 51
Collège Charlemagne, rue des Remparts,
1814 La Tour-de-Peilz
 riviera@francaisenjeu.ch
Information 'Learning about School': introductory French course
and introduction to the school system organisation

Collège Vinet
Av. Alexandre-Vinet 6-8-10, Room 12, 1815 Clarens
LEVEL Intermediate
 Tel. 021 977 03 51
Montreux
Collège Charlemagne, rue des Remparts 7,
LEVEL Beginner to advanced
Information Monday from 17:30 to 19:00 (except during school holidays)
 Tel. 021 977 03 51
26
Collège Etraz, rue de l’Etraz 5, Room 21, 1820 Montreux
PRICE CHF 10.-
 Tel. 021 977 03 51
Ollon
NAME Comité d’organisation des cours de français
pour personnes allophones
Salle des Samaritains, 1867 Ollon
DAYS/TIMES 19:00 to 20:30, once a week
PRICE CHF 70.- (12 lessons of 90 min. each)
Two sessions per year: spring and autumn
REGISTRATION Mrs Valérie Cross
 Tel. 024 499 29 04
 Tel. 079 621 42 54
 valeriecross@bluewin.ch
Pays d’Enhaut
(Château-d’Oex, Rougemont et Rossinière)
NAME Intégration et cours de français
pour allophones au Pays-d'Enhaut
Collège Henchoz, 1660 Château-d’Oex
DAYS/TIMES 7 classes of 1h30, days and times depending on the level
LEVEL Beginner and elementary
PRICE CHF 60.-/semester (15 to 17 lessons)
+ CHF 40.- for course material
REGISTRATION Registration possible at any time
 Tel. 076 387 53 22
Information  Tel. 078 679 14 02
 botana@bluewin.ch
 Tel. 076 387 53 22
 m.morier-genoud@bluewin.ch
For non-French-speaking adults and apprentices living in the
Pays-d'Enhaut. Weekly local classes, including for apprentices.
27
LEARNING FRENCH
Tour-de-Peilz (La)
Collège Charlemagne,
Rue des Remparts 7, 1814 La Tour-de-Peilz
LEVEL A1 to B1
REGISTRATION Collège Charlemagne, rue des Remparts,
Monday from 17:30 to 19:00 (except during school holidays)
 Tel. 021 977 03 51
NAME Lire et Ecrire

Grand-Rue 50, 1814 La Tour-de-Peilz
PRICE CHF 50.-/80.-/month (special arrangement possible)
or CHF 31.-/hour if funded by a third party
(employer, social services, etc.)
REGISTRATION Monday from 17:00 to 19:00
Mrs Valia Della Valle
 Tel. 021 922 46 10
Information Other courses are offered in Clarens and Vevey
Vevey
NAME Appartenances - Espace Femmes Riviera
Rue des Communaux 2A, 1800 Vevey
LEVEL Literacy classes, beginner, elementary
PRICE CHF 12.- /month
REGISTRATION Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 12:00
 Tel. 021 922 45 22
 espace-femmes@appartenances.ch
Information Day-care for children
28
NAME ECAP
Av. Général Guisan 58, 1800 Vevey
DAYS/TIMES Monday 18:00 to 21:00 and Saturday 9:00 to 12:00
LEVEL A1 to B1
PRICE CHF 100.- for 52 lessons
Information Mrs Paula da Silva, ECAP
 Tel. 021 923 59 90
 infovd@ecap.ch
Courses for people working in the cleaning and building
industries, organised in association with UNIA
NAME ECAP
Av. Général Guisan 58, 1800 Vevey
LEVEL A1 to B1
DAYS/TIMES Various according to the level (Monday to Saturday)
PRICE CHF 480.- for 60 lessons
DAYS/TIMES Evenings 19:00 to 21:30 or Saturday

PRICE CHF 340.-/42 lessons
Information Andrea Leoni, ECAP
 Tel. 021 320 13 27
 infovd@ecap.ch
NAME Français en Jeu (sponsored by the Town of Vevey)

Rue du Midi 15 (Samaritans’ premises), 1800 Vevey
DAYS/TIMES Semi-intensive 3 x 2 hours (beginner)
2 x 3 hours ('false beginner') per week
LEVEL A1 to B1
PRICE CHF 10.-
 Tel. 021 977 03 51
On-site, Mrs Besse
 Tel. 078 677 33 52
Information One course for women only and one mixed course
29
LEARNING FRENCH
Villars-sur-ollon
NAME Comité d’organisation des cours de français
pour personnes allophones
Collège d'En-Bas, 1884 Villars
DAYS/TIMES Various according to the level, 19:00 to 20:30
LEVEL Beginner, 'false beginner' and intermediate
PRICE CHF 70.- (12 lessons of 90 min. each)
Two sessions per year: spring and fall
REGISTRATION Mrs Valérie Cross
 Tel. 024 499 29 04
 Tel. 079 621 42 54
 valeriecross@bluewin.ch
Villeneuve
NAME Commission d’intégration de Villeneuve (CIV)
Pavillon des écoles enfantines, Collège de la Tour-Rouge
Rte de la Tour-Rouge, 1844 Villeneuve
Tuesday 13:30 to 15:30 and 18:30 to 20:30
PRICE CHF 50.-/semester (3 months)
REGISTRATION Mrs Sidonie Perrin, administrative coordinator
 Tel. 077 407 58 75
 integration.villeneuve@gmail.com
Information Day-care available for children on Tuesday afternoon
(Halte-garderie le Mille-pattes),
prior registration with the coordinator
30
ZONE 5 : Lausanne
Lausanne
NAME Appartenances - Centre Femmes
Rue des Terreaux 10, 1003 Lausanne
LEVEL Beginner (for women with very little schooling),
beginner (literacy classes), 'false beginner'
START of CLASSES September and late January
PRICE CHF 10.-
REGISTRATION Monday and Wednesday 14:00 to 17:00
Tuesday 9:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00,
Thursday 9:00 to 12:00
 Tel. 021 351 28 80
 centre.femmes@appartenances.ch
Information Day-care for preschool-aged children whose mothers
participate in an activity at the Womens’ Centre.
NAME Appartenances - Espace Mozaïk

Rue des Côtes-de-Montbenon 15, 1003 Lausanne
START OF CLASSES Wednesday, Thursday 18:00 to 19:30
Monday, Tuesday 18:00 to 19:30
LEVEL Beginner and elementary
PRICE CHF 10.-
REGISTRATION Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon 14:00 to 17:30
 Tel. 021 320 01 31
 c.guignet@appartenances.ch
Information Introduction to Computing: Tuesday 14:00 to 16:00
Individual follow-up in French and school support:
in specific cases and for people unable to join a group. Private
lessons according to special supervision.
NAME Armée du Salut

Rue de la Louve 10, 1003 Lausanne
DAYS/TIMES Monday, beginner: 18:30 to 20:00, advanced: 18:00 to 19:30
LEVEL Beginner and advanced
PRICE CHF 40.-
REGISTRATION February and August (on-site)
Rue de la Louve 10, 1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 312 73 52
31
LEARNING FRENCH
NAME Bourse à travail – BAT

Route d’Oron 10, 1010 Lausanne
DAYS/TIMES Wednesday morning
LEVEL Beginner, elementary and advanced
PRICE CHF 10.-/trimester
REGISTRATION Mrs Véra Cicéron, BAT French courses coordinator:
registration followed by a short knowledge-evaluation test.
 Tel. 021 323 77 15
Information Day-care for children: depending on the places available in the
day nursery.
NAME Bureau lausannois pour l’intégration des immigrés

Plage de Vidy, across from the Vidy-Lausanne Theatre
Av. E.-Jaques-Dalcroze 5, 1007 Lausanne
DAYS/TIMES 18:00 to 19:30, from Monday to Friday
(mid-July to late August)
LEVEL Beginner
PRICE Free of charge
REGISTRATION Place de la Riponne 10, CP 5032, 1002 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 315 72 45
 bli@lausanne.ch
 www.lausanne.ch/bli
NAME Communauté Sant'Egidio

Av. De Tivoli 74 (Montelly) at the Eglises-Réfugiés mediators’
reception cafeteria, 1007 Lausanne
LEVEL Beginner, 'false beginner' and elementary
REGISTRATION On-site at 14:45
Mrs Marie Bornand
 Tel.021 653 25 79
 Tel. 078 641 08 33
NAME Cours de français pour femmes parlant albanais

La Frat’ premises, Place Arlaud 2, 1003 Lausanne
LEVEL None
REGISTRATION Mrs Lucile Prod’hom
 Tel. 021 647 05 36
Information For Albanian-speaking women of all levels
32
NAME ECAP
Avenue Vinet 19, 1004 Lausanne
LEVEL A1 to B1
DAYS/TIMES Monday 18:00 to 21:00 and Saturday 9:00 to 12:00
PRICE CHF 100.- (52 lessons)
INFORMATION Mrs Andrea Leoni, ECAP
 Tel. 021 320 13 27
 infovd@ecap.ch
Courses for people working in the cleaning and building
industries, organised in association with UNIA
NAME ECAP
Avenue Vinet 19, 1004 Lausanne
LEVEL Intensive and extensive French courses A1 to B1
PRICE CHF 480.- (60 lessons)
INFORMATION Mrs Andrea Leoni, ECAP
and REGISTRATION
 Tel. 021 320 13 27
 infovd@ecap.ch
NAME Forum des étrangères et étrangers de Lausanne – FEEL

Rue du Grand-Pont 18, 1003 Lausanne
DAYS/TIMES/level Beginner: Monday and Thursday 14:30 to 16:00,
Saturday 9:00 to 12:00 for Spanish speakers,
Tuesday 14:00 to 16:00 for Japanese speakers
Intermediate: Monday and Thursday 16:00 to 17:30,
Saturday 9:00 to 12:00 for Spanish speakers
Advanced: Monday and Thursday 17:30 to 18:45
PRICE CHF 20.- (3 months)
REGISTRATION Rue du Grand-Pont 18, 1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 312 84 40
Opening times: Monday to Friday 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 18:00
 info@forumetrangers.ch
 www.forumetrangers.ch
Information Courses for Somali, Tibetan and Spanish speakers to follow
33
LEARNING FRENCH

In the town centre and in the neighbourhoods of Bellevaux
(2 courses), Blécherette, Boveresses, Faverges (with day-care),
Malley (2 courses) and Prélaz
LEVEL A0 to B2, DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française)
certification, literacy classes
PRICE CHF 10.-
REGISTRATION Tuesday 16:00 to 19:00 and Thursday 10:00 to 12:00
For all courses except the "Learning about School" course,
Place Pépinet 2, 1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 329 04 49
 lausanne@francaisenjeu.ch
 www.francaisenjeu.ch
Information “Learning about School” course in the secondary schools of la
Barre Boissonet, Bourdonnette, Entre-Bois, Prélaz.
Introductory French course and introduction to the school
system organisation for non-French-speaking parents of pupils.
NAME Lire et Ecrire

Site Lausanne, Pl. Saint-François
12 bis (4th floor), 1003 Lausanne
PRICE CHF 10.- (free courses for people from Lausanne)
REGISTRATION Monday from 16:00 to 19:00 and Thursday 11:00 to 14:00
(on-site, except during school holidays)
 Tel. 021 329 04 48
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 to 17:00
 Tel. 021 329 04 48
 lausanne@lire-et-ecrire.ch
34
NAME Pôle Sud
Rue Jean-Jacques Mercier 3, 1003 Lausanne
DAYS/TIMES 16h weekly from Monday to Thursday
LEVEL Beginner A1, elementary A2 and literacy classes:
3 modules of 200 hours each
PRICE CHF 300.-
REGISTRATION Mrs Caroline de Sybourg, Thursday 16:00 to 20:00
 Tel. 021 311 50 46
 info@polesud.ch
 www.polesud.ch
Information Registration every trimester 3 times a year: January/April/
September, dates available on the website and from the main office.
Registration in person only; limited spaces available.
NAME Réseau de savoir

Av. d’Echallens 81, 1004 Lausanne
DAYS/TIMES Monday-Wednesday 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 18:00
Thursday 13:00 to 18:00 and Friday 9:00 to 12:00
LEVEL Knowledge exchange free of charge but based on reciprocity
PRICE Knowledge is the network's only currency.
REGISTRATION Mrs Madeleine Moret
 Tel. 021 626 54 90
 rers@freesurf.ch
NAME Thaïs and Friends

FEEL, Grand-Pont 18, 1003 Lausanne
DAYS/TIMES Tuesday 13:30 to 15:30 and 15:30 to 17:30,
Wednesday 15:30 to 17:30
LEVEL Beginner
PRICE CHF 2.50/hour
REGISTRATION c/o Mrs Nisa Dessimoz
Le Pré-Vuillemin 18, 1400 Cheseaux-Noréaz
 Tel. 024 420 32 30
 nisa@dessimoz.org
 www.thaisandfriends.populus.ch
Information The lecturers are people of Thaï origin who hold a Swiss
university diploma and have degrees in French and Literature.
35
LEARNING FRENCH
Name Université Populaire

Escaliers du Marché 2, 1003 Lausanne
level A1 to B2
Intensive, private and group courses for all levels, 'à la carte'
and on demand. Preparation for the DELF PRO (Diplôme
d'Etudes en Langue Française) B1 and B2, accelerated
preparation for the DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue
Française) C1.
PRIce On demand
REGISTRATION Website or at the main office from Monday to Friday
9:00 to 11:00 and 14:00 to 17:00
 Tel. 021 315 24 24
or by sending an email to Mrs Françoise Baudat:
 francoise.baudat@uplausanne.ch
 www.uplausanne.ch
 info@uplausanne.ch
36
COURSES ORGANISED BY PRIVATE SCHOOLS
It is also possible to attend French courses in private schools. These are more expensive,
but the admission conditions are generally more flexible.
For further information

www.avdep.ch
A few websites:
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
Yverdon Nyon
www.ecole-club.ch www.ecole-club.ch
www.verso-yverdon.ch www.solma.com/af
www.interlangues.net www.alteralingua.ch
ZONE 3 ZONE 4
Renens Vevey
www.lesclefsdusucces.ch www.ecole-club.ch
www.virgile.ch
www.thomas-hardy.weebly.com
Aigle
www.proactif.ch
ZONE 5
Lausanne
www.inlingua-lausanne.com
www.lemania.ch
www.bosquet.ch
www.berlitz.ch
www.institutrichelieu.com
www.wessex.ch
www.unil.ch/cvac
37
LEARNING FRENCH
FRENCH LEVEL CERTIFICATION

The DELF certificate (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) is designed to certify the
level of French. This certificate is recognised and requested for some procedures (for
example obtaining an early C permit).

The cost of the DELF varies between CHF 200.- and CHF 350.-.
Examination sessions are held regularly in Lausanne.
For further information about the examination sessions and places:
DELF DALF
Centre d’examens Lac Léman
c/o ifage - Fondation pour la formation
des adultes
Place des Augustins 19, 1205 Genève
 Tel. 022 807 30 09
 www.delfdalf.ch
38
FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURAL COURSES
Foreign languages and cultural courses are organised in the canton by various
immigrants' associations and embassies. For all necessary information about the
organisation of these courses and any other cultural activity linked to the country of
origin, contact the reference person for integration matters in your area (see “Useful
contacts for advice and guidance”).
The addresses and contact details for your country of origin's associations and
embassies can be found in our «Contacts dans les milieux de la migration» booklet.
It can be ordered from the:
Bureau cantonal
pour l’intégration des étrangers
et la prévention du racisme
 Tel. 021 316 49 59
Or downloaded from:

www.vd.ch/vivre-vaud  suivre des cours de français
39
LEARNING FRENCH
INTERCULTURAL MEETING SPACES

Some meeting spaces offer integrating, training and entertainment activities which are
open to people of all nationalities.
For further information:
> the «Contacts dans les milieux de la migration» booklet can be ordered from the
Cantonal office for the integration of foreigners and prevention of racism
> contact the reference person for integration matters (see the Useful Contacts chapter,
page 81).
Zone 1 ZONE 3
Yverdon Renens
Espace Traits d’Union Association Femmes Solidaires
Shared by four partners Sans Frontières - FSSF
(Appartenances, BCI, Rue Neuve 4b,
Caritas Vaud, Case postale 404,
Lire et Ecrire), 1020 Renens
Rue du Collège 4,  Tel. 076 220 93 92
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains  fssf.renens@hotmail.com
 Tel. 024 426 18 22  www.fssf.ch
Association Aux Quatre Coins

Av. du Censuy 5,
1020 Renens
 Tel. 021 634 40 30
 info@auxquatrecoins.ch
 www.auxquatrecoins.ch
40
ZONE 4 ZONE 5
Vevey Lausanne
Appartenances Appartenances
Espace Femmes Centre femmes
Rue des Communaux 2a, Rue des Terreaux 10,
1800 Vevey 1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 922 45 22  Tel. 021 351 28 80
 appartenances.ve@bluewin.ch
Appartenances,
Aigle L'ESPACE Mozaïk
Service communautaire Rue des Côtes-de-Montbenon,
de la Planchette, ’Appart’1741 1003 Lausanne
Ch. de la Planchette 16, Tel. 021 320 01 31
1860 Aigle
 Tel. 024 466 76 00 Point d’Appui
Centre Multiculturel
Bex César-Roux 8,
Café-contact 1005 Lausanne
Thursday afternoons  Tel. 021 312 49 00
from 13:30 to 15:00,
every 1st and 3rd Thursday
Lower level of the Cure
Rue de l'Indépendance
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday

at the EVAM refuge
Rue de l'Ecluse
Children welcome when
accompanied by a parent
41
INTERPRETATION
The Intermedia Service of the Appartenances Association provides the services

of trained interpreters in over 50 languages, for medical, social or school-related
appointments.
Service Intermedia
de l’association Appartenances

Tel. 021 341 12 47
(Mon 14:00 to 17:00/Tue-Fri 9:00 to12:00)

www.appartenances.ch/Intermedia.html

In addition to “one-on-one” community interpretation, a
National Phone Interpretation Service is has been set up
by AOZ-Medios, in association with Appartenances.

 Tel. 0842 442 442
 www.aoz.ch/medios
INTERPRET, the Swiss Association for Community Interpretation and Intercultural

Mediation, offers more information and also helps find a community interpreter online:

www.inter-pret.ch/fr/
trouver-une-interprete-communautaire.html
42
SOCIAL INSURANCE
Social insurance is compulsory. It insures workers and their families who have paid
contributions to a fund in Switzerland, by compensation. This insurance offers protection
by providing financial benefits or by covering any costs in case of illness or accident..
The Swiss social security system divides itself into:
> occupational pensions for senior citizens, survivors and disabled people,
> insurance in case of illness and accident,
> allowance for loss of earnings in case of army service and maternity,
> unemployment insurance and family allowances.
The OFAS's website (Federal Office for Social Insurance) www.ofas.admin.ch and the
“Swiss Social Insurance System: Sojourn in Switzerland and Departure” booklet
(available in 12 languages) give detailed information.

If encountering any difficulties with insurance,
the Swiss Association for Insurance Holders (ASSUAS)
can help find solutions. The ASSUAS supports its
members by providing lawyers specialised in the insurance
field. Consultations are held by appointment every
Wednesday from 18:00 to 20:00.
ASSUAS-Vaud
Rue St-Martin 22, 1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 653 35 94
(Monday 8:00 to 11:00)
 assuas@assuas-vd.ch
 www.assuas-vd.ch
43
HEALTH
The www.migesplus.ch website offers a lot of information related to health and

downloadable booklets in 25 languages are available, often for no cost.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Health insurance provides residents of Switzerland with access to health care in case
of illness and accident. It is compulsory for anyone who lives in Switzerland to take
out a basic insurance, within three months from arrival. They may freely choose their
health insurance provider, which is under the obligation to accept anyone (fully and
immediately) regardless of their age and state of health. The insurance provider can
be changed at the end of the year (in November) by sending a registered termination
letter.

The price of the insurance premium varies according
to the place of residence, the insurance holder's age and
the insurance provider. Savings can be made depending
on the chosen insurance provider and model, for example
by accepting to limit the choice of doctor or hospital or by
increasing the deductible.

The www.priminfo.ch website and the Federal Public Health
Office provide an online price comparison website:
www.bag.admin.ch/themen/krankenversicherung/
index.html
SUBSIDIES
In case of difficulties in paying the insurance premium, the canton of Vaud can grant
subsidies to finance the premium in part or in full. The conditions vary according to the
income. All requests for subsidies must be addressed to the social insurance agency in
your area of residence.
For further information, please contact:
Organe cantonal de contrôle

de l'assurance-maladie et accidents
Ch. de Mornex 40, 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 557 47 47 (from 8:00 to 11:45)
 www.vd.ch/subside-assurance-maladie
44
ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Accident insurance is compulsory in Switzerland. It covers the financial consequences
of work-related or non-work-related accidents and work-related illness.

Wage earners are usually insured by their employers. If not,
an appropriate additional insurance can be taken out with
the health-insurance provider.
For further information, please visit this website:

www.ch.ch  Santé et affaires sociales 
Assurance-maladie  Assurance-accidents
FINDING A DOCTOR
Lists of doctors by geographical area can be found in the telephone directory, under
'médecins' (doctors), or on www.annuairemedecin.ch.

The Vaud Medical Society (Société vaudoise de médecine)
can provide contact details of doctors who can consult in
different languages.
Société vaudoise de médecine

Ch. de Mornex 38, case postale 7443, 1002 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 651 05 05
 info@svmed.ch
 www.svmed.ch

In hospitals, emergencies are treated in order of medical
priority and not in order of arrival, which can justify long
delays. To get medical answers quickly, the Central des
Médecins de garde (doctors on call, also for children),
0848 133 133, will evaluate the situation, offer guidance
and information to patients 24/24 and in different languages.
In case of a life-threatening emergency, dial 144.
45
HEALTH
MATERNITY
Guidance
A professional from the PROFA Foundation or an independent midwife can provide
information about pregnancy and maternity:

The costs of these services are covered by your
health insurance.
Les sages-femmes indépendantes


Tel. 079 477 17 17
(8:00 to 20:00)

www.sage-femme.ch
The PROFA Foundation

 www.profa.ch
The PROFA Foundation by geographical area:
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
Yverdon-les-Bains Morges-Aubonne
Rue des Pêcheurs 8A, Espace prévention
1401 Yverdon-les-Bains Pl. du Casino 1,
 Tel. 021 631 01 58 1110 Morges
 Tel. 021 804 66 44
Région Orbe, Vallorbe,
la Vallée de Joux Nyon
Roving consultations: Les Hauts-de-St-Jean
'Cigogne' team Bâtiment A1
 Tel. 021 631 01 58 Rue des Marchandises 17,
1260 Nyon
Région Nord/  Tel. 021 631 01 57
Broye Payerne
Rue de Lausanne 9,
1530 Payerne
 Tel. 021 631 01 59
46
ZONE 3 ZONE 4
Renens Aigle
Rue de Lausanne 21, Ch. du Grand-Chêne,
1020 Renens 1860 Aigle
 Tel. 021 631 01 53  Tél. 021 631 01 54
(social worker)
 Tél. 024 468 83 04
(midwife)
Vevey
Av. du Général Guisan 30,
1800 Vevey
 Tel. 021 631 01 55
ZONE 5
Lausanne
Av. de Georgette 1,
3rd floor,
1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 631 01 52
47
HEALTH
PAN-MILAR Association
This association offers childbirth preparation classes with community interpretation in

different languages. Their website is translated into 14 languages: www.pan-milar.ch
Coordination and information:

Tel. 077 410 20 24
Zone 1 Zone 3
Yverdon Renens
le Jardin ouvert Aux Quatre Coins
l’avenue des Bains 12, Censuy 5,
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains 1020 Renens
Classes in Portugese, Spanish,

Albanian, Turkish and Chinese
Tel. 024 441 27 37
Zone 5
Lausanne
Centre femmes Lausanne CHUV
Appartenances Maternité
Terreaux 10, Rue Pierre Decker 2,
1004 Lausanne 1011 Lausanne
Classes in Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Classes in Tamil, Bosnian-Croatian-

Polish, Italian, Thai, Vietnamese, Serbian, Somali and for English-speaking
Japanese and for English and French- Asian women
speaking African women  Tel. 079 776 92 03
 Tel. 077 410 20 24
48
PREGNANCY
SOS Futures Mamans is an association offering effective, discreet and free help to
future mothers in difficulty. This assistance can be moral, material and/or administrative.

www.sosfuturesmamans.org
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
Section Nord Vaudois Section la Côte

Route de l'Hôpital 31, Rue des Marchandises 5,
Case postale 1275, Case postale 2555,
1400 Yverdon 1 1260 Nyon
 Tel. 024 426 52 52  Tel. 079 607 44 53
Section de Sainte-Croix
Rue du Jura 2,
Case postale 269,
1450 Sainte-Croix
 Tel. 024 426 52 52
ZONE 3 ZONE 4
Section Lausanne Section Riviera-Veveyse

Allée du Rionzi 28, SOS Futures Mamans
1028 Préverenges Case postale 132,
 Tel. 0844 771 911 1806 St-Légier
 Tel. 0844 222 333
49
HEALTH
PREGNANCY LEAVE
Maternity allowance is paid for 98 days following the day of the child's birth. You are
entitled to it if you have paid contributions to the AVS (Old Age Insurance) for at least
the 9 preceding months and have worked for 5 months. The daily allowance amounts
to 80% of the income.

In addition to benefits paid by the employer or allowances
paid by a social insurance, compensation for loss of earnings
can be granted in case of interruption or reduction of the
employed or self-employed activity.

www.profa.ch  périnatalité  articles pour tous 
droits minimums pendant la grossesse et après
l'accouchement
Or please contact :

Allocations de maternité, Caisse AVS
37, rue du Lac, 1815 Clarens
 Tel. 021 964 12 11
 www.vd.ch/devenir-parents  grossesse et maternité
AFTER THE BIRTH

For guidance and support after giving birth, the independent midwives or the Espace
prévention offer childcare consultations and home visits, after the birth and up to the
beginning of school:
Les sages-femmes indépendantes


Tel. 079 477 17 17
(8:00 to 20:00)

www.sage-femme.ch

These services are free of charge.
Espace prévention

www.espace-prevention.ch
50
Espaces prévention by geographical area:
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
Yverdon-les-Bains Morges
Rue du Pré 2, Place du Casino 1,
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains 1110 Morges
 Tel. 024 424 94 20  Tel. 021 804 66 44
Nyon
17, Rue des Marchandises,
1260 Nyon
 Tel. 022 365 77 50
ZONE 4 ZONE 5
Aigle Lausanne
Av. Glariers 20, Pré du Marché 23,
Case postale 140, 1004 Lausanne
1860 Aigle  Tel. 021 641 08 10
 Tel. 024 468 40 46
Vevey
Ch. Verger 1,
1800 Vevey
 Tel. 021 925 00 72
51
HEALTH
SEXUAL HEALTH COUNSELLING – FAMILY PLANNING

For a consultation and/or guidance about sexual issues, contraception and termination
of unwanted pregnancies, STI and HIV/AIDS tests, contact the sexual health consultation
of the Profa Foundation:

www.profa.ch/Prestations/Prest_PF.htm
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
Rue de la Plaine 2, Espace prévention
Case postale 324, Place du Casino 1,
1401 Yverdon-les-Bains 1110 Morges
 Tel. 021 631 01 48  Tel. 021 804 66 44
 Tel. 079 919 47 79
Payerne
Rue de Lausanne 9, Nyon
1530 Payerne Les Hauts-de-St-Jean,
 Tel. 021 631 01 49 Bâtiment A1,
Rue des Marchandises 17,
1260 Nyon
 Tel. 021 631 01 47
ZONE 3 ZONE 4
Renens Aigle
Rue de Lausanne 21, Rue du Molage 36
1020 Renens 1860 Aigle
 Tel. 021 631 01 43  Tel. 021 631 01 44
Vevey
Av. du Général Guisan 30,
1800 Vevey
 Tel. 021 631 01 45
ZONE 5
Lausanne
Avenue Georgette 1,
1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 631 01 42
52
MIGRATION AND INTIMACY
With the Migration and Intimacy label the HIV-STI prevention competence centre offers
services aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancies, HIV and other STDs amongst
women and men from migrant communities.
Latino-American and sub-Saharan African cultural mediators are active locally to

ensure a community-based prevention program, with workshops or discussions about
issues of sexual health in an interactive and personalised way. To learn more about
these services:
Fondation Profa
Centre de compétences prévention VIH – IST
Av. de la Gare 17, 1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 631 01 70
 Tel. 021 631 01 75
 alice.concu@profa.ch
 www.profa.ch
HOME HELP
The Medical-Social Centre (Centre Médico-Social - CMS) offers nursing, home meal
deliveries and help with family care, also in the different geographical areas. For further
information, please contact:
Association vaudoise d’aide et de soins à domicile

(AVASAD)
Av. de Chavannes 37, 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 623 36 36
 www.aide-soins-domicile-vaud.ch
53
health
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence can be psychological, physical, sexual or economical. Information
about this topic is available in several languages on the website:

www.violencequefaire.ch
The Malley Prairie shelter offers free help to all women, both Swiss nationals and
foreigners, including accommodation (emergency accommodation 24/24 in Lausanne),
counselling for couples and drop-in consultations in Lausanne, Bex, Montreux, Vevey,
Yverdon-les-Bains and Payerne. Please contact:
LISTENING SERVICE AND SHELTER 24/24

(24/24 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE)
CENTRE D’ACCUEIL MALLEYPRAIRIE
Ch. de la Prairie 34, 1007 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 620 76 76
 info@malleyprairie.ch
 www.malleyprairie.ch
The LAVI Profa Foundation consultation centre offers free and anonymous help to Swiss
and foreign nationals, as well as to people with no valid residence permit (consultations
with interpreters possible). It provides services such as listening, counselling, and legal,
administrative or psychological support.
LAVI CONSULTATION CENTRE

PROFA FOUNDATION
Rue du Grand-Pont 2bis, 1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 320 32 00
 www.profa.ch/Prest_LAVI.htm
54
FAMILY LIFE
MARITAL STATUS
In order to avoid future problems with the administration of your country of origin, it is
important to announce any change of status (births, weddings, deaths, etc.) to your
consulate or embassy. This advice also applies to dual-nationality holders.
WEDDING
Only people over 18 years old are allowed to get married. Everyone is free to choose
whom they desire to marry and the right time to do so. Any kind of threatening,
economical, physical or psychological pressures constitute a violation of human rights
which is punishable by cantonal and federal law. Any marriage entered into under
duress can be annulled and punishable.

If one of the future spouses is abroad, it is possible to ask
for a visa in order to wed or to celebrate the wedding in a
third country and to then validate this union in Switzerland
via the competent diplomatic mission or consular
representation. For further information regarding family
reunification, see page 8 or contact the population service
of your region.
To receive the list of necessary documents needed for marriage, future spouses who
live in Switzerland should call:
centre administratif de l'état civil

Moudon
 Tel. 021 557 07 07
REGISTERED PARTNERSHIP
A registered partnership binds same-sex partners into sharing life as a couple and
taking on responsibilities towards the community.
To receive the list of necessary documents and prices, foreign nationals living in
Switzerland and Swiss partners should call:
centre administratif de l'état civil

Moudon
 Tel. 021 557 07 07
55
FAMILY LIFE
CHILDREN
DAY-CARE
The commune of residence can provide information about the options for day-care in
the region. Other information is available on the following websites:

www.vd.ch/avant-ecole

www.vaudfamille.ch  garde d’enfants
For day-care during working hours, it is possible to call upon either a day-nursery or a
family day-care service (in a family's private home). A list of the existing institutions for
group day-care (nurseries) in the canton of Vaud can be downloaded on the canton's
website :
 www.vd.ch/accueil-jour-enfants 
accueil collectif de jour  liens et documents
 Public institutions are subsidised.

Therefore, fees depend on the income.
For further information regarding the conditions in different regions, go to www.faje-vd.ch or:
Zone 1 Zone 2
Réseau d'accueil de jour, Réseau de Nyon,

Yverdon-les-Bains et environs Service des affaires sociales
RéAjy Rue des Marchandises 17,

Tel. 024 423 69 69 1260 Nyon

reajy@ylb.ch-www.reajy.ch  Tel. 022 363 84 70
Zone 3 Zone 4
Réseau AJENOL (Prilly et environs) Association régionale de l’action

Route de Cossonay 40, sociale du district d’Aigle et du pays
Case Postale 96 d’Enhaut – Chablais, ARASAPE
 Tel. 079 229 11 37 c/o CSR, Av. de la Gare 14,
 daniel.gambazza@prilly.ch Case postale 61, 1880 Bex
 www.ajenol.ch  Tel. 024 557 27 07
 mamansdejour@arasape.ch
Zone 5
Bureau d'Information
aux Parents, BIP
Chauderon 9 - Etage T,
1002 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 315 60 00
 bip@lausanne.ch
56
 Some institutions offer the option of day-care in two
languages. For further information, please contact:
Vaud famille at 021 652 52 93 or via
www.web-vd.ch/vd_dgeo/ecoles_privees/ecoles_liste.php
BABY-SiTTING
The Red Cross trains young people in childcare for a few hours in the evening or during the
weekend. For CHF 10.- you can obtain the list of babysitters classified by neighbourhood.
The rates depend on the number of children and you should expect to pay at least CHF
10.- per hour.
 If you are interested in this service, please take note of the

Red Cross's general conditions.
Contact and information:
CROIX-ROUGE VAUDOISE
BABY-SITTING SERVICE
Rue Beau-Séjour 9-13,
 Tel. 021 340 00 80
 Tel. 021 340 00 81
 info@croixrougevaudoise.ch
 www.croixrougevaudoise.ch
RED CROSS – DAY-CARE FOR SICK CHILDREN

The Swiss Red Cross's day-care service for sick children can send to the family home a
Red Cross assistant who has been appropriately trained to care for any sick child unable
to attend school or pre-school.
 The Swiss Red Cross assistant can step in 24 hours a day,

7 days a week, and the price depends on the family's income.
Contact and information:
Monday to Friday, 7:00 to 12:00/13:30 to 17:30

 Tel. 021 340 00 80
 Tel. 021 340 00 81
 info@croixrougevaudoise.ch
 www.croixrougevaudoise.ch
57
FAMILY LIFE
RECREATIONAL CENTRES
Recreational centres are open to the whole population. Different animations such as
playful activities, walks, outings and more regular workshops are offered for everyone.
 During the holidays, many activities are

organised at the centre.
For further information regarding the recreational centres in different regions:
Frédéric Cerchia
Répondant cantonal jeunesse
(YOUTH REFERENCE PERSON FOR THE CANTON)
 Tel. 021/624 49 10
 repondant.jeunesse@glaj-vd.ch
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
Espace Jeunes Centres de loisirs
Check Point Association Couvaloup
Rue de Neuchâtel 2, Rue de Couvaloup 12,
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains 1110 Morges 1
 Tel. 024 423 60 50  Tel. 021 802 13 30
 espace.jeunes@yverdon-les-bains.ch  info@couvaloup12.ch
 www.couvaloup12.ch
Payerne
Centre de Rencontres Nyon
et d'Animation de Payerne Centre d'animation
et Environs, CRAPE des jeunes de Nyon (CANYON)
Avenue du Stade 5, Rue des Marchandises 1,
1530 Payerne, 1260 Nyon
 Tel. 079 325 81 19  Tel. 022 361 33 50
 crape.office@bluewin.ch
58
ZONE 3 ZONE 4
Bussigny Vevey
Centre de Rencontre La Jouerie de Gilamont
et d'Animation – Renens – CRA Meeting and Animation
Rue de la Source 3, Centre for 4 to 14 year-olds
1020 Renens Av. de Gilamont 65,
 Tel. 021/632.75.15 1800 Vevey
 info@cra-renens.ch  Tel. 021 921 31 73
www.cra-renens.ch
Renens Aigle
Centre de rencontre et Les Moulins
d'animation de Bussigny – CRAB espaces socioculturels
Rte de la Chaux 2, Rue de la Gare 7
1030 Bussigny 1860 Aigle
 Tel. 021 701 44 03  Tel. 024 466 30 90
 crab.bussigny@gmail.com  www.lesmoulins.org
ZONE 5
Lausanne
Centre socioculturel Centre socioculturel
de Grand-Vennes de la Bourdonnette
Abeilles 17, Carrefour de la Bourdonnette,
1010 Lausanne 1000 Lausanne 23
 Tel. 021 652 15 33  Tel. 021 625 61 28
 le.grand.v@bluewin.ch  csbd@freesurf.ch
 www.animaction.ch/bourdonnette
FAMILY AND COUPLEs' COUNSELLING

This type of counselling offers the possibility of meeting a professional who is there to
listen and provide advice, personalised and appropriate assistance for any issues or
problems related to couples' life, family or children.
VAUD PLATFORM, COUPLES’ COUNSELLING

> A hotline from Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00

Tel. 0840 860 860

vaud.couple@gmail.com
59
FAMILY LIFE
CARITAS, COUPLES' COUNSELLING AND PARENTAL GUIDANCE

The couples' counselling and parental guidance service exists in 3 towns: Lausanne,
Orbe and Echallens.
To make an appointment:

Tel. 021 317 59 80

consultationdecouple@caritas-vaud.ch

guidanceparentale@caritas-vaud.ch

Consultation rates are adapted to the individual's
financial resources.

www.caritas-vaud.ch  consultations
VAUD PROTESTANT SOCIAL CENTRE (CSP),

COUPLES AND FAMILY COUNSELLING SERVICE
> By appointment in Lausanne, Oron, Payerne and Yverdon-Les-Bains.

Tel. 021 560 60 60

Tel. 024 423 69 00 for Yverdon-les-Bains.

www.csp.ch/vd/prestations/conjugal/
PROFA FOUNDATION, COUPLES’ AND SEXOLOGY COUNSELLING

Couples’ and sexology counselling by appointment in Lausanne, Bex, Montreux, Morges,
Nyon, Renens and Vevey.

Tel. 021 631 01 62

Counselling is also offered in French, German, Italian,
Spanish, English and Serbo-Croatian.

www.profa.ch/Prestations/Prest_Cons_Conj.htm
60
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
COMPULSORY SCHOOL
In Switzerland, compulsory school lasts nine years, beginning at the age of 6. All children,
regardless of their residence status, are admitted into the compulsory schooling system
of the canton of Vaud, which is free of charge.
Any non-French-speaking pupil of preschool, primary or secondary school age will be

integrated upon arrival in a regular class. The pupil can follow intensive French classes
in order to improve his/her cultural and linguistic integration.
For further information regarding compulsory school:
Direction générale de l’enseignement obligatoire

Rue de la Barre 8, 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 316 3232
 info.dgeo@vd.ch
 www.vd.ch/scolarite-obligatoire
SUPERVISED HOMEWORK
Supervised homework at school allows some pupils to find a setting where they can do
their homework in good conditions and with an adult’s support. For further information,
please ask your commune of residence or the school's administration. Supervised
homework services are usually free of charge.
Supervised homework services can also be provided by private facilities, in individual or

group classes. The rates vary from one place to another.
To receive the list of these facilities:

www.vaudfamille.ch  scolarité - formation 
appuis et soutiens scolaires
61
AFTER COMPULSORY SCHOOL

At the end of compulsory school, pupils can pursue their studies in higher-education
facilities or begin an apprenticeship (see following section 'Professional training').
«What happens after school? An apprenticeship or an academic education?

Information for parents» is a booklet providing detailed information about the
organisation and the educational options available after compulsory school.
The booklet is available in 15 languages on the following website:

www.shop.csfo.ch

Tel. 0848 999 002 cost: Fr. 8.-
The academic and vocational guidance office of your region offers information about
educational options after compulsory school. Please visit the following website:

www.vd.ch/orientation
or call the information hotline:

Tel. 021 557 88 99
from Monday to Thursday, 13:00 to 17:00
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
Centre régional d’orientation Centre régional d’orientation

scolaire et professionnelle scolaire et professionnelle
Nord Ouest
Rue de Neuchâtel 18, Chemin des Vignes 1,
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains 1260 Nyon
 Tel. 024 557 73 30  Tel. 022 557 59 00
Centre régional d’orientation

scolaire et professionnelle
Venoge
Rue Docteur-Yersin 9,
1110 Morges
 Tel. 021 557 92 30
62
ZONE 4 ZONE 5
Centre régional d’orientation Centre régional d’orientation

scolaire et professionnelle scolaire et professionnelle
Est Lausanne
Rue du Conseil 8, Rue de la Borde 3d,
1800 Vevey 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 557 14 70  Tel. 021 316 11 20
SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS
The State financially supports apprenticeships and higher academic education after
the end of compulsory school. The State's support is intended to supplement the
family's help, or when necessary to make up for it. Detailed explanations about the
grant conditions and forms are available on the website.
Office cantonal des bourses d'études (OCBE)

Rue Cité-Devant 14, 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 316 3370
 www.vd.ch/ocbe
RECOGNITION OF DIPLOMAS
For any questions regarding the recognition of diplomas not issued by universities,
please contact the Federal Office for Vocational Training and Technology (OFFT):
Office fédéral de la formation professionnelle

et de la technologie (OFFT)
Prescriptions de formation
Effingerstrasse 27, 3003 Berne
 Tél. 031 322 21 29
 www.bbt.admin.ch/themen/hoehere/00169
(website in French, German, Italian and English)
For any questions regarding the recognition of university degrees, please contact:
Conférence des Recteurs

des Universités Suisses, CRUS Swiss ENIC
Sennweg 2,
Case postale 607, 3000 Berne 9
 Tel. 031 306 60 41/42
 www.enic.ch
(website in French, German, Italian and English)
63
HOLIDAYS
During the school year, all children have holidays in each season as well as a few bank
holidays (identical to those of employees). For further information, please go to:

www.vd.ch/vacances-scolaires
Holidays 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015
Fall October 14th to October 12th to October 11th to October 10th to

holidays October 31st 2011 October 29th 2012 October 28th 2013 October 27th 2014
Winter December 23rd 2011 December 21st 2012 December 20th 2013 December 19th 2014
holidays to January 9th 2012 to January 7th 2013 to January 6th 2014 to January 5th 2015
February February 24th to February 15th to February 21st to February 20th to

break March 5th 2012 February 25th 2013 March 3rd 2014 March 2nd 2015
Easter April 5th to April March 28th to April April 11th to April April 2nd to April
holidays 23rd 2012 15th 2013 28th 2014 20th 2015
Summer July 6th to August July 5th to August July 4th to August July 3rd to August
holidays 27th 2012 26th 2013 25th 2014 24th 2015
Bank holidays 2012 2013 2014 2015
January 1st January 1st January 1st January 1st

New Year's Day
(January 2nd) (January 2nd) (January 2nd) (January 2nd)
Good Friday April 6th March 29th April 18th April 3rd
Easter Monday April 9th April 1st April 21st April 6th
Ascension
May 17th/18th May 9th/10th May 29th/30th May 14th/15th
weekend
Whit Monday May 28th May 20th June 9th May 25th
National Day August 1st August 1st August 1st August 1st
Federal Fast
September 17th September 16th September 22nd September 21st
holiday
Christmas Day December 25th December 25th December 25th December 25th
64
LIBRARIES
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Several towns in the canton have a public library where you will find methods for learning
French and a range of books in foreign languages. For further information, please refer
to your residence commune.
INTERCULTURAL LIBRARY – GLOBLIVRES

This library offers over 27,000 works in 272 languages. Open to everyone, it also provides
numerous educational books for learning French. Meeting and discussion evenings are
also held there to practise and improve conversational skills in French.
Rue Neuve 2 bis, 1020 Renens

 Tel. 021 635 02 36
 info@globlivres.ch
 www.globlivres.ch
CANTONAL AND UNIVERSITY LIBRARY (BCU)

The Riponne Library has a huge collection of bilingual non-French works, as well as
numerous methods for learning French. Guided visits are organised in different
languages.

F and N permit holders can also register.
Bibliothèque cantonale et universitaire (BCU/R)

Place de la Riponne 6, 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 316 78 63
 info-riponne@bcu.unil.ch
 www.unil.ch/bcu/
65
EMPLOYMENT
LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT

To help with finding a job, the Regional Employment Offices act as service centres
specialised in the fields of labour market, placement and unemployment. The ORP
advisers can provide a great deal of information and appropriate assistance.

www.espace-emploi.ch/ueberuns/rav/

The REO/ORPs keep a database of vacancies, giving access
to one of the most up-to-date and complete job-exchange
services in Switzerland.
The “Employment in the Canton of Vaud” website, which was created in association with
the canton's placement agencies, lists job advertisements as well as job descriptions
for different fields of activity, taken from placement agencies' websites.

www.annuaire-vaudois.ch/emploi.html
The State Secretariat for Economy-SECO has edited the “What makes a good job
application?” booklet, which is meant for newcomers and provides information about
how to write job applications:

www.espace-emploi.ch/dateien/
Broschuere/b_bewerbung_f.pdf
UNEMPLOYMENT
Regional Employment Office (ORP) welcomes unemployed people at any time to
assist them in their job search and to suggest active employment measures (courses,
temporary subsided jobs, etc.), according to the individual's status.

www.vd.ch/emploi

Anyone who loses their job must report as soon as possible
to the Employment Office of their residence commune
(communal administration office).
66
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
Echallens Morges
Ch. du Grand-Record 7, La Gottaz 30,
1040 Echallens Case postale 2056,
 Tel. 021 557 18 90 1110 Morges 2
 orp.echallens@vd.ch  Tel. 021 557 92 00
 orp.morges@vd.ch
Payerne
Rue d’Yverdon 19, Nyon
1530 Payerne Chemin des Plantaz 36,
 Tel. 026 557 31 30 1260 Nyon
 orp.payerne@vd.ch  Tel. 022 557 53 60
 orp.nyon@vd.ch
Yverdon-les-Bains
Rue des Pêcheurs 8 A,
 Tel. 024 557 69 00
 orp.yverdon@vd.ch
ZONE 3 ZONE 4
Ouest lausannois Aigle

Case postale 203, Rue de la Gare 6,
1020 Renens Case postale 187, 1860 Aigle
 Tel. 021 557 04 50  Tel. 024 557 77 40
 orp.orpol@vd.ch  orp.aigle@vd.ch
Pully
Av. de Lavaux 101,
Case postale 240, 1009 Pully
ZONE 5  Tel. 021 557 19 10
 orp.pully@vd.ch
Lausanne
Pl. Chauderon 9, Riviera
Case postale 5032, Rue des Bosquets 33,
1002 Lausanne 1800 Vevey
 Tel. 021 315 78 99  Tel. 021 557 15 00
 orp@lausanne.ch  orp.riviera@vd.ch
67
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT ASSOCIATIONS
The mentoring program for migrants' employability is an exchange of knowledge
between professionals and migrants who are looking for a job:

www.mentoratemploimigration.ch
Different institutions offer courses and classes to assist migrants in their job search:
please contact the reference person for each region, page 82.
TRADE UNIONS
Professional associations can provide information about the prevailing wages in
the trade they represent, as well as guidance and assistance throughout different
procedures.
> Syndicat des services publics (SSP – Public Services Trade Union) – Vaud:

www.ssp-vaud.ch
> Syndicat interprofessionnel (SYNA: Interprofessional Syndicate):

www.syna.ch
> L'Autre Syndicat interprofessionnel (The Other Interprofessional Syndicate):

www.lautresyndicat.ch
> SSP Syndicat UNIA (UNIA SSP Syndicate):

 www.vaud.unia.ch

The UNIA trade union publishes “Horizonte”, a newspaper for
migrant workers in 5 languages (Spanish, Portuguese,
Turkish, Serbo-Croatian and Albanian).
More contacts can be found here:

www.vd.ch/orientation  professions  salaires
The Swiss Trade Union's website lists contact details for the different trade unions
which are members:

www.uss.ch  qui sommes-nous ? 
L'USS - Principes directeurs à télécharger...
68
HOUSING
HOW TO FIND ACCOMMODATION

The booklet «Living in Switzerland: All the information you need when renting a flat»,
available in 13 languages, can be ordered and downloaded from the website:

www.bwo.admin.ch
 Prospective tenants must, amongst other things, fill in a

registration form for the real-estate agency, supply
an attestation from the Pursuit Office to guarantee their
creditworthiness and thus their ability to pay the rent and
a salary slip. A guarantor can be requested by real-estate
agencies for holders of some types of residence permits or
according to the income.
For further information, please visit the following website:

www.vd.ch/logement
To receive the local real-estate agencies' list or the search engines specialised in real-
estate, please refer to:

www.suisse-romande.com/canton-de-vaud  immobilier
RENTAL GUARANTEE
After obtaining a flat, it is often necessary to pay a rental guarantee which amounts to
two or three months’ rent.
69
HOUSING
SUBSIDISED FLATS
To have access to subsidised housing, the determining factors are the net income on
the tax return and the household income in relation to the number of people in the
family.
The communes of Lausanne, Montreux, Morges, Nyon, Vevey and Yverdon also offer
individual housing assistance for families facing rental expenses which exceed their
income. The housing services of the commune of residence can provide information,
or please see:

www.vd.ch/logement  aides-subventions  individuelle
or the Cantonal Housing Service

Tél. 021 316 64 00
ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEFENCE OF TENANTS

If a dispute arises between the tenant and the landlord
or real-estate agency, the Swiss Tenants’ Association
(Association Suisse des locataires - ASLOCA)
offers legal assistance and advice if you become a member
of the association.
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
Broye Morges
Avenue de la gare 9, Rue de la Gare 3,
Case postale 16, Case postale 24,
1522 Lucens 1110 Morges 1
 Tel. 021 906 60 45  Tel. 021 617 10 07
Yverdon-les-Bains Nyon
Rue des Pêcheurs 8, Ch. des Plantaz 13a,
Case postale 92, 1260 Nyon
1401 Yverdon-les-Bains  Tel. 022 361 32 42
 Tel. 024 426 10 66
ZONE 3
Ouest lausannois
Rue de Lausanne 31b,
1020 Renens
 Tel. 021 617 10 07
70
ZONE 4 ZONE 5
Montreux – Est vaudois Lausanne

Case postale 1024, Rue Jean-Jacques Cart 8,
1820 Montreux Case postale 56,
 Tel. 021 963 34 87 1006 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 617 10 07
Vevey – La Tour-de-Peilz
Case postale 38,
1800 Vevey
 Tel. 021 922 79 62
SORTING WASTE
Recyclable waste such as glass, paper, green waste, batteries, electrical household
appliances, metals and PET are sorted at the waste-disposal site or by the regular
home collection service.
For further information, please contact the administration office of your commune of
residence or refer to the “Waste Guide” on the canton of Vaud's website:

www.vd.ch/dechets

www.nosdechets.ch/infodechets.html
71
FINANCES
TAXES
Any person living or with a source of income in the canton of Vaud is required to fill in
an annual tax return. The main taxes to pay as an individual are income tax and wealth
tax. They are payable in monthly instalments set according to the last taxation on the
expected tax amount owed for the current year. There are two ways of paying taxes:
WITHHOLDING TAXES
Foreign nationals living or staying in Switzerland are subjected to withholding taxes.
The taxes are deducted directly by the employer from the employee's wages.
B permit holders whose salary exceeds CHF 120'000.- and C permit holders are not
subjected to withholding taxes and are therefore required to fill in only an ordinary tax
return.
Administration cantonale des impôts (ACI)


Tel. 021 316 00 00

info.aci@vd.ch

www.vd.ch/impots
or the relevant taxation office of your commune of residence (coordinates available on

the www.vd.ch/impots website)
OPENING A BANK OR POST OFFICE ACCOUNT

By depositing money in a bank or at the post office, it is possible to receive your salary
and pay bills, accumulate interests and submit loan applications. In principle, anybody
over 18 is free to open a bank account in Switzerland by presenting an official document
such as a valid passport or any other proof of identity with a photo.
SENDING MONEY ABROAD

To receive information about money transfers to the country of origin, the “Money
Transfers Abroad” booklet is meant for migrants and lists the different kinds of money
transfers with their advantages and disadvantages. It exists in several languages and
can be ordered from the following address:

info@seco-cooperation.ch
72
It can also be downloaded in PDF format from the website:
 www.seco.admin.ch
DEBTS
The State of Vaud and its partners have set up «INFO BUDGET», a continuous guidance
service aimed at preventing and fighting over-indebtedness. It offers full confidentiality,
useful advice and information about managing a budget and will answer any debt-
related question. The specialists who are there to listen to you will advise on the
different available aids which you may claim and will guide you towards the service
which is best adapted to assist.
INFO BUDGET
 Tel. 0840 4321 00
from Monday to Thursday, from 8:30 to 13:00
(toll-free from land-lines)
 www.vd.ch/dettes
Other organisations can also give information:
Caritas Vaud
Rue César-Roux 8, 1005 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 320 34 61
 info@caritas-vaud.ch
 www.caritas-vaud.ch
Centre Social Protestant Vaud

Rue Beau-Séjour 28, 1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 560 60 60
 www.csp.ch
UnaFin
Permanence Infosociale (no appointment necessary)
Rue Chauderon 4, 1er étage, Lausanne
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday mornings (closed Thursday
morning) from 9:00 to 10:30. Monday to Friday afternoons from
13:45 to 14:45.
 Tel. 021 315 77 54
 unafin@lausanne.ch

Information and awareness meetings are organised for
young adults in difficulty. Online information regarding
financial problems has also been set up by the different
partners on the ciao.ch website.
73
LEGAL ADVICE
Different services exist to provide you with general information or legal assistance. They
will inform and guide you free of charge or for a nominal fee.
Centre social protestant

Free counselling
 Tel. 021 560 60 60
Only by appointment: when calling, you will be informed of
the nearest counselling site (Bex, Lausanne, Vevey, Morges,
Yverdon-les-Bains)
Permanence de l’Ordre des Avocats Vaudois (OAV)

 Tel. 021 320 20 60
When calling, you will be informed of the nearest counselling
site (Lausanne, Vevey et Yverdon-les-Bains)
Non-stop counselling on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays from
16:00 to 19:00 (15-minute consultation for CHF 40.–)
Permanence privée d’avocats

No appointment necessary
 Av. du Tribunal-Fédéral 2, 1005 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 351 75 60
Non-stop counselling on Monday and Thursday from 17:00 to 19:00
COUNSELLING FOR WOMEN

Maison de la Femme, Union des Femmes
Free legal advice
Av. Eglantine 6, 1006 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 323 33 22
Bureau information femmes

Av. Eglantine 6, 1006 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 320 04 04
Non-stop counselling from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 12:00,
Tuesday from 9:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 18:00,
no appointment necessary
 b.i.f@bluewin.ch

Rue St-Claire 1, 1800 Vevey
 Tél. 021 320 04 04
9:00 to 12:00 every Thursday, non-stop counselling
No appointment necessary
74
Av. Couvaloup 10
1110 Morges
 Tel. 021 804 98 83
Non-stop counselling from 8:30 to 11:30,
no appointment necessary
COUNSELLING RELATED TO THE LAW FOR EQUALITY

BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN
Bureau Cantonal de l'égalité
entre les femmes et les hommes
Rue Caroline 11, 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 316 61 24
 info.befh@vd.ch
 www.vd.ch/befh
YOUTH COUNSELLING
Service Droits des jeunes,
Jet Service
Av. de Rumine 2, 1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 560 60 30
Open non-stop on Thursday from 14:00 to 18:30
 jet.service@csp-vd.ch
In Vevey
Jet Service Riviera
Rue de l'Union 15b, 1800 Vevey
 Tel. 021 925 59 25
Open non-stop on Monday from 16:40 to 19:00
 Jetservice@vevey.ch
Service Droits des jeunes

Av. de Rumine 2, 1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 560 60 30
Open non-stop on Thursday from 14:00 to 18:30
 jet.service@csp-vd.ch
In Vevey
au centre Ginkgo
Rue de l'Union 15b, 1800 Vevey
Open non-stop on Monday from 16:40 to 19:00
 Tel. 021 925 59 25
 Jetservice@vevey.ch
75
LEGAL ADVICE
COUNSELLING FOLLOWING A RACIST OFFENCE

Permanence du BLI
Place de la Riponne 10, 1002 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 315 72 47
Open non-stop on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays,
from 14:00 to 17:00, or by appointment
 bli@lausanne.ch
76
MOBILITY
BY TRAIN
The public transport network is vast and well-developed. The Federal Railway (CFF)
offers different types of travel cards, such as the General Travel Card which allows,
for a fixed annual price, free travel all over Switzerland with almost any kind of public
transport (trains, buses, boats, etc.). The Half-Price Travel Card means you pay half-price
for any journey.
For further information on the different type of travel cards:

www.cff.ch/abonnements-et-billets/abonnements
/en-suisse-depuis-peu.html

Some communes offer their residents the possibility of
buying “day travel cards” at a special low price: these cards
can be reserved by telephone, at the counter or online from
the commune's website.
BY BUS
Mobilis is the only ticket which is valid on the entire network of Vaud's fare community
and its 355 communes. It offers the possibility of using all means of public transport, in
unlimited combinations. For prices and conditions, please visit:

www.mobilis-vaud.ch
BY CAR
Holders of a foreign drivers’ license have 12 months upon arrival to exchange their
document for a Swiss one. Depending on the issuing country, passing a practical and/
or theoretical exam can be requested.
To get a drivers’ license in Switzerland, please contact:
Service des automobiles

et de la navigation
Avenue du Grey 11, 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 316 82 10
 www.vd.ch/san

The Vehicles and Navigation Service in the cities of
Yverdon-les-Bains, Nyon and Aigle can provide you
with the same services.
77
MOBILITY
ON TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES
Some communes grant subsidies towards buying an electric bicycle. For further
information, please refer to your commune of residence or investigate on:

www.vd.ch/velo
It is also possible to rent bicycles for a low price in some towns of the Canton, thanks to
Vélopass which allows you to borrow a bicycle at one site and return it at another, once
the journey is done. For further information:

www.velopass.ch

To guarantee cyclists' security, communes have planned
bicycle paths, signposted in yellow, along roads. It is
recommended that you wear a bicycle helmet.
PEDESTRIANS, PEDIBUS
The pedibus is a system set up to accompany children to school on foot, under an
adult's guidance. To get the list of Pedibus lines in the canton of Vaud or to create a
new line, please contact:

Tel. 076 344 25 27

www.pedibus.ch

www.mobilitepietonne.ch
78
THE CANTON OF VAUD AND ITS INHABITANTS
FEDERALISM AND THE CANTON OF VAUD

Swiss federalism gives a lot of autonomy to the Swiss cantons. Therefore, each canton
has its Constitution, an executive authority, a legislative and legal authority. Political
rights in particular can vary noticeably from one canton to another or even from one
commune to another (for ex. voting rights for foreigners). Swiss citizens are firstly
citizens of their commune, then of their canton and finally of the Swiss Confederation.
THE FEDERAL LEVEL

The Swiss government is composed of 7 elected representatives who form the Federal
Council. This Federal Council is chosen by the parliament, which is composed of two
chambers: the National Council and the State Council. Both chambers are elected by
the Swiss citizens.

www.admin.ch/org/polit/
ORGANISATION OF CANTONAL POLITICS

Cantonal level: the State of Vaud
> Legislative authority

The legislative authority is represented by the Great Council (Grand Conseil). It is
composed of 150 deputies elected by the people, standing for the different districts
of the canton of Vaud and its political parties. One of the Great Council’s main roles is
passing articles for the Constitution, laws and cantonal decrees.

www.vd.ch/gc
> Executive authority

The executive authority is represented by the State Council (Conseil d’Etat). This
Council is composed of 7 State Counsellors. Each counsellor is elected by the people
for a 5-year mandate and is in charge of a department.

www.vd.ch/ce
Communal level
> Legislative authority

The communal council (or general council for communes of less than 1,000 inhabitants)
is the legislative authority elected by the residents of the commune every 5 years. It is
composed of 25 to 100 members according to the communes' number of inhabitants. Its
main duties are acceptance of the budget and control of the commune's management.
79
THE CANTON OF VAUD AND ITS INHABITANTS
> Executive authority

The Town Council is the commune's executive authority. It is composed of 3 to 9
members, according to the commune's size and number of inhabitants. Deputies are
elected by the commune's citizens. The Town Council includes members of different
political parties and is chaired by the administrator (syndic).

www.ch.ch  autorités  autorités en Suisse  communes
VOTING RIGHTS AND ELIGIBILITY IN THE CANTON OF VAUD

Foreign nationals can participate in elections and vote on the communal level, and can
be elected for or sit on the communal or Town Council, as well as sign an initiative or a
communal referendum.
Eligibility requirements:
> anyone aged over 18,
> holding a residence permit for over ten years,
> living in the Canton for at least three years.

www.vd.ch/vivre-vaud 
informations pratiques 
droit de vote et d’égilibité

All foreign nationals are directly entered in the electoral
register once the requirements are met, and automatically
receive the official material for votes and elections on a
communal level.
80
USEFUL CONTACTS FOR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE
THE CONSULTATIVE CHAMBER OF

IMMIGRANTS FOR THE CANTON
The Consultative Chamber of Immigrants for the Canton was created in 1998. Its
members, who are mainly well-known figures of foreign origin of associations in Vaud,
are appointed by the State Council. The CCCI has an essential role in implementing the
cantonal integration law of Vaud. It raises the Government's awareness regarding these
issues and shares its positions on any significant amendments of laws and regulations
in this field.
Secrétariat de la CCCI
 Tel. 021 316 49 59
CANTONAL OFFICE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF FOREIGNERS

AND PREVENTION OF RACISM (BCI)
MRS AMINA BENKAIS
DELEGUEE CANTONALE A L'INTEGRATION DES ETRANGERS ET
LA PREVENTION DU RACISME, DEPARTEMENT DE L’ECONOMIE
SERVICE DE LA POPULATION
 Tel. 021 316 49 59
The main duty of the BCI – Cantonal Office for the Integration of Foreigners and Prevention
of Racism is to implement concrete actions aiming to improve the coexistence of the
foreign and Swiss populations, based on shared values as well as on mutual respect
and tolerance. Acting as a competence centre for integration issues, the BCI offers
personalised advice, runs integration programs for the canton and manages the federal
financing for integration.
Thanks to its reference people who are active in the canton's different areas, the BCI
transmits information about the regional offers for integration and about the fight
against racism.
81
Zone 1 Zone 2
Jura – Nord Vaudois, Nyon, Morges

Gros-de-Vaud, Broye – Vully M. Migjen Kajtazi
MRS Kanga Zili c/o affaires sociales
Espace Traits d’Union Rue des Marchandises 17,
Rue du Collège 4, 1260 Nyon
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains  Tel. 022 363 82 85
 Tel. 024 426 18 22  Tel. 079 303 28 23
 Tel. 079 101 27 67  migjen.kajtazi@vd.ch
 kanga.zili@vd.ch
Zone 3 Zone 4
Ouest lausannois Lavaux – Oron, Riviera

M. Migjen Kajtazi Mrs Naima Topkiran
c/o Service de la Sécurité Sociale Bureau cantonal
Rue de Lausanne 25, pour l’intégration des étrangers
1020 Renens et la prévention du racisme (BCI)
 Tel. 079 303 28 23 Rue du Valentin 10,
 migjen.kajtazi@vd.ch 1014 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 316 92 77
 Tel. 079 941 07 89
 naima.topkiran@vd.ch
Pays d’Enhaut, Aigle

mrs Tania Allenbach-Stevanato
c/o Centre social régional de Bex
Av. de la Gare 14,
Case postale 61, 1880 Bex
 Tel. 024 557 27 27
 Tel. 079 303 28 10
 tania.allenbach@vd.ch
82
LAUSANNE OFFICE FOR THE INTEGRATION
OF IMMIGRANTS (BLI)
The BLI acts as the integration competence centre for the City of Lausanne. Its
employees are available for residents of Lausanne.
BLI
Mrs Gabriela Amarelle
Déléguée à l’intégration du Bureau lausannois
pour l’intégration des immigrés
(LAUSANNE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF
IMMIGRANTS OFFICE)
Place de la Riponne 10,
 Tel. 021 315 72 45
 bli@lausanne.ch
To ask for support for projects in Lausanne, please contact:
Zone 5
Lausanne
M. Mathias Schaer
 Tel. 021 315 72 48
 mathias.schaer@lausanne.ch
ADMINISTRATIVE MEDIATION
The Cantonal Office for Administrative Mediation acts as an intermediary. It assists its
users in their relations with authorities and administration offices in the canton. The
BCMA is free of charge and open to anybody, regardless of their place of residence or
nationality.
Bureau cantonal de médiation administrative

(BCMA)
Place de la Riponne 5, Case postale 5485, 1002 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 557 08 99
Hotline from Monday to Thursday, from 09:30 to 13:00
 www.vd.ch/mediationadministrative
83
CITY REPRESENTATIVES FOR INTEGRATION

Renens
MRS MARTA PINTO
Déléguée à l’intégration, Service de la
Sécurité sociale, Pôle de l’intégration
Rue de Lausanne 25,
Case postale 141, 1020 Renens
 Tel. 021 632 77 95
 marta.pinto@renens.ch
 www.renens.ch
Vevey
Déléguée en matière d’intégration
direction des affaires sociales et familiales
Rue du Simplon 48,
1800 Vevey

Tel. 021 925 53 11

dasf@vevey.ch
Yverdon-les-Bains
mrs Katja Blanc
Déléguée à l’intégration
Service des affaires sociales
Rue des Pêcheurs 8A,

Tel. 024 423 69 44

kbl@ylb.ch
SWISS-FOREIGNERS TOWN COMMITTEES

Active in several communes, with the support of the Cantonal Office for the Integration
of Foreigners and Prevention of Racism, these committees organise many events and
act as areas for exchange, dialogue and information between foreign and Swiss people
and the authorities.
84
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
Moudon Gland
Groupe suisses-étrangers Commission intégration
de Moudon et région Grand-Rue 38,
Hôtel de Ville, Case postale 320,
Case postale 43, 1196 Gland
1510 Moudon  Tel. 022 354 04 44
 Tel. 021 905 88 88  t.yammouni@gland.ch
 greffe@moudon.ch
 www.suetmo.ch Morges
Commission consultative
Orbe – Chavornay suisses – étrangers
Commission intercommunale Pl. de l’Hôtel-de-Ville 1,
d’intégration suisses-étrangers Case postale 272,
et de prévention du racisme 1110 Morges 1
Orbe-Chavornay  Tel. 021 804 96 70
p.a. Contrôle des habitants  urbanisme@morges.ch
Hôtel de Ville,  www.morges.ch/ccse
Case postale 32,
1350 Orbe Nyon
 Tel. 024 442 92 20, Commission d’intégration
 population@orbe.ch suisses-étrangers,
 www.orbe.ch/integration p.a. Service des
affaires sociales
Payerne Rue des Marchandises 17,
Groupe Suisses-étrangers Case postale 1395,
de Payerne et Environs 1260 Nyon
p.a. Service de la Population  Tel. 022 363 84 74
Hôtel de Ville,  affaires.sociales@nyon.ch
Case postale 112,  www.nyon.ch
1530 Payerne
 Tél. 026 477 60 61 Rolle
(from 9:00 to 11:00, mon - fri) Commission consultative
 webmaster@1530.ch suisses – étrangers
 www.1530.ch Grand-Rue 44,
Case postale 156,
Yverdon-les-Bains 1180 Rolle
Commission Consultative  municipalite@rolle.ch
suisses-Immigrés, CSR  Tel. 079 210 41 63
Rue des Pêcheurs 8A,
 Tel. 024 423 69 00
 nsa@ylb.ch
 www.ccsi-yverdon.org
85
ZONE 3
Bussigny-près-Lausanne Prilly
Commission Intégration Commission Intégration
Pl. de l’Hôtel-de-Ville 1, Route de Cossonay 40,
Case Postale 96, 1008 Prilly
1030 Bussigny-près-Lausanne  Tel. 079 471 70 44
 Tel. 021 706 11 20  mga@prilly.ch
 greffe@bussigny.ch  www.prilly.ch
 www.bussigny.ch
Renens
Chavannes-près-Renens Commission Intégration
Commission Intégration suisses – étrangers – CISE
Av. de la Gare 46, Service de la Sécurité sociale
Case postale 68, Rue de Lausanne 25,
1022 Chavannes-près-Renens Case postale 141,
 Tel. 021 633 33 10 1020 Renens
 greffe@chavannes.ch  Tel. 021 632 77 95
 cise@renens.ch
Ecublens  www.renens.ch
Commission d’intégration et
d’échange «suisses – étrangers»
Ch. de la Colline 5,
1024 Ecublens
 Tel. 021 695 33 10
 commission.suisses_etrangers@
ecublens.ch
 www.ecublens.ch
LA FRATERNITE, SOCIAL SERVICE FOR IMMIGRANTS

La Fraternité, a section of the CSP, has been active for over 40 years and offers
information, guidance, advice and support for any social or legal procedures related
to the following issues: residence status of foreigners (LEtr, ALCP, undocumented
migrants), moving to and integrating in Switzerland, returning to the country of origin,
social security, binational weddings, family reunification, becoming a Swiss national, etc.
Pl. Arlaud 2
1003 Lausanne
 Tel. 021 213 03 53
 frat@csp-vd.ch
 www.csp.ch/fraternite
86
ZONE 4 ZONE 5
Aigle Lausanne
Commission d'accueil Commission tripartite pour
et d'intégration de la ville d’Aigle l’intégration des immigrés
Administration communale c/o Bureau lausannois
Place du Marché, pour l’intégration des immigrés
Case postale 500, 1860 Aigle Place de la Riponne 10,
 Tel. 024 468 41 11, Case postale 5032,
 Tel. 079 649 07 37 1002 Lausanne
 www.aigle.ch President :
M. Oscar Tosato
Bex  Tel. 021 315 72 45
Commission Consultative  bli@lausanne.ch
Multiculturelle de Bex www.lausanne.ch/bli
Rue Centrale 23A,
Case postale 287, Forum des étrangères
1880 Bex et étrangers de Lausanne
 Tel. 024 463 10 05 FEEL
 ccmb@barmaconsult.ch Rue du Grand-Pont 18,
 www.bex.ch Case postale 6210,
1002 Lausanne
Montreux President :
Commission consultative M. Tidiane Diouwara
d’intégration  Tel. 021 312 84 40
Grand’Rue 73,  Tel. 079 709 90 77
Case postale 2000,  info@forumetrangers.ch
1820 Montreux  www.forumetrangers.ch
 Tel. 021 962 77 74
 commune@comx.org
Vevey
Commission des activités
interculturelles
Hôtel de Ville,
Rue du Lac 2,
1800 Vevey 2
 Tel. 021 925 53 03
 dasf@vevey.ch
 www.vevey.ch
Villeneuve
Commission d’intégration
Route de Cheseaux 1,
1844 Villeneuve
 Tel. 021 968 17 82
87
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Police : 
117
Fire Department: 
118
Domestic violence: 
021 620 76 76
Help and Moral Support: 

143
Ambulance: 
144
Poisoning: 
145
Directory Enquiries: 
1811 or 1818 or 1850
88
mise à jour graphique : konsept.ch

et la prévention du racisme (BCI)
Tél. 021 316 49 59
info.integration@vd.ch
www.vd.ch/integration
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ANGLAIS

BOYEI BOLAMU, VITAJTE, YÔKOSO,

TO THE CANTON OF VAUD

Art.68, Canton of Vaud Constitution from April 14th 2003

The integration of foreigners and the prevention of racism is an important political

Head of the Economy Department

Mrs Amina Benkais

Bureau cantonal pour l’intégration des étrangers

MAP OF THE CANTON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

EDUCATION AND TRAINING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

THE CANTON OF VAUD AND ITS INHABITANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

GROS-DE-VAUD Canton de Fribourg

Zone 1 : Jura – Nord Vaudois, Gros-de-Vaud, Broye – Vully

OBTAINING A RESIDENCE PERMIT

or visit one of the following websites:

You can find more information on the following websites:

> respect the laws and values of the federal Constitution,

Service de la population, Division étrangers

BECOMING A SWISS NATIONAL

> In the canton of Vaud:

> Other conditions:

For further information about naturalisation,

SERVICE DE LA POPULATION ; DIVISION NATURALISATION

A certain number of the courses organised by associations are subsidised by the

An up-to-date list of courses is available on the website: www.vd.ch/integration

COURSES ORGANISED BY ASSOCIATIONS

ZONE 1 : Jura – Nord vaudois, Gros-de-Vaud, Broye – Vully

NAME Lire et Ecrire, Section du Nord Vaudois

NAME Lire et Ecrire, Section du Nord Vaudois

NAME Lire et Ecrire, Section du Nord Vaudois

NAME Tisserands du monde

NAME Tamil Mandram

ZONE 2 : Nyon, Morges

NAME Solidarité Femmes Bussigny

NAME Français en Jeu

NAME Français en Jeu

NAME Lire et Ecrire

NAME Association Franc-Parler

NAME Français en Jeu

NAME Lire et Ecrire

ZONE 4 : Lavaux – Oron, Riviera – Pays d’Enhaut, Aigle

NAME Français en Jeu

NAME Lire et Ecrire

NAME Commission consultative multiculturelle de Bex

NAME Français en Jeu

NAME Lire et Ecrire

DAYS/TIMES Evenings 19:00 to 21:30 or Saturday

NAME Français en Jeu (sponsored by the Town of Vevey)

NAME Appartenances - Espace Mozaïk

NAME Armée du Salut

NAME Bourse à travail – BAT

NAME Bureau lausannois pour l’intégration des immigrés

NAME Communauté Sant'Egidio

NAME Cours de français pour femmes parlant albanais

NAME Forum des étrangères et étrangers de Lausanne – FEEL

NAME Français en Jeu