Visions du Reel

Visions du Réel

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Arts & CultureNyon
Dates9 April 2027Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsVisions du Reel's defining feature is an
LanguageFrench, German, Italian, and RomanshCurrency: CHF
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Visions du Reel in Nyon

Visions du Reel began in 1969 as the Nyon International Documentary Film Festival, founded by Moritz and Erika de Hadeln at a time when Cold War divisions made Eastern Bloc documentary work hard to see in Western Europe. Renamed in 1995 under director Jean Perret, it opened to submissions worldwide and grew into one of the most significant documentary festivals anywhere, held every April on Lake Geneva and entirely separate from both Locarno's general competition and the unrelated Paleo Festival music event based in Nyon.

Visions du Reel started in 1969 as the Nyon International Documentary Film Festival, founded by Moritz de Hadeln and his wife Erika de Hadeln at a moment when Cold War divisions made it genuinely difficult to see documentary work from behind the Iron Curtain in Western Europe.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Visions du Reel's defining feature is an exclusive focus on documentary and non-fiction cinema, a specialization that traces back to its 1969 founding by Moritz and Erika de Hadeln as the Nyon International Documentary Film Festival, built partly around bringing Eastern Bloc documentary work to Western audiences during the Cold War

02

The mystery stays covered

Renamed in 1995 under director Jean Perret, the festival opened to worldwide submissions and became a template later followed by documentary festivals in Amsterdam and Munich

03

The city starts moving

Held every April on Lake Geneva, it now screens well over a hundred films each year and is entirely distinct from Locarno's broader international competition and from Paleo Festival, the unrelated music event also based in Nyon

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Honoring a guest of honor with a career retrospective each year is a long-running festival ritual

Water and renewal

Living ritual

connecting each edition to documentary filmmaking history rather than only new releases

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

9 April 2027

Getting around

Use Nyon transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Layered spring clothing and a packable rain jacket for changeable April weather on Lake Geneva, plus comfortable shoes for walking between Nyon's compact cluster of festival cinemas.

Safety

Keep photography restrained at Visions du Reel; give people room and treat community moments as more than scenery.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Nyon, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

CHF

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map46.38 N, 6.23 EOpen in Google Maps

Nyon, Vaud, Switzerland

Nearest airportGVA — Geneva
TransportUse Nyon transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Nyon, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Nyon via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Nyon, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for April.Compare faresFestival gearLayered spring clothing and a packable rain jacket for changeable April weather on Lake Geneva, plus comfortable shoes for walking between Nyon's compact cluster of festival cinemas.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Switzerland and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Visions du Reel?

Visions du Reel is listed for 9 April 2027. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Visions du Reel take place?

The festival is listed in Nyon, Switzerland. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Nyon, Vaud, Switzerland

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLvisionsdureel.ch
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates9 April 2027
Source statusOfficial source linked
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