What to do on the Swiss National Day ?
What is Switzerland celebrating on August 1st ?
Let’s have a look at Swiss History…
The Federal Charter or Pacte Fédéral of 1291 is a treaty of alliance between the 3 cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden. It is dated to early August which inspired Switzerland to celebrate its national holiday on August 1st. The Charter documents the Eternal Alliance of the League of the Three Forest Cantons, the union of three cantons in what is now central Switzerland. The 1st of august has been celebrated annually since 1891 but has only been an official holiday since 1994.
The Federal Palace, Bundesplatz 3, Bern
The Federal Palace was inaugurated in 1902 after 8 years of work.
Local brunch at the farm - a long Swiss tradition
Today, hundreds of farming families go out of their way to ensure that their 150,000 guests from all over Switzerland have an unforgettable August 1st Brunch. Like the national anthem, Farm Brunch on August 1st is associated with the traditional festivities. Among the population, this tradition has always been popular.
For my first Brunch at the Farm, I went to Site Alp near Zweisimmen. The food was great, the location beautiful and the family very welcoming. We could even buy local dairy products to go as a souvenir right from the farm.
Who would want to forgo delicacies such as Zopf (braided brioche) , Rösti (fried potatoes), fried eggs or freshly made bircher Müesli? Without a doubt, the very special atmosphere of the farm also contributes to the success of this tradition where all guests eat at the same table.
However, it is not only on the buffet full of local produce that our eyes are on: it is also on the agricultural sector as a whole. Indeed, the Brunch at the farm is an opportunity to experience agriculture up close. This is why peasant families offer guided tours of their farm, give information panels to read and set up play areas for the little ones. Each host family receives its guests in its own way. If you’re lucky, the farm you go to may be close to a hiking route, allowing for a nice digestive walk between Rösti plates.
To look for participating farms, click here.
Fireworks on July 31st
The Swiss National Day celebrations actually begin on July 31st. There are fireworks in multiple locations across Switzerland like Bern and Basel. No better way to start the festivities with a night out along the Rhine to enjoy the firworks in Basel where they are lit up from a boat on the river. The fireworks start at 23:00 so make sure you have a safe spot with a view of the Rhine before 22:00 !
