Moving to Villeneuve: Old Town and Easy Plain Access

Moving to Villeneuve is a story of contrasts: on one side an old town with narrow streets, on the other a plain where access for a lorry is generally easy. Located at the eastern end of Lake Geneva, near the mouth of the Rhône and Chillon Castle, the municipality combines historic buildings with business zones. To move to Villeneuve without unpleasant surprises, it is best to plan ahead for parking, carrying and paperwork, then compare quotes from a removal company in Villeneuve or the surrounding region.

Villeneuve: old town, plain and business zones

Villeneuve is a small town at the head of the lake, and its buildings are not uniform. The old town has older homes, often in buildings with character, with staircases that can be narrow or winding and rooms of varying size. Around it, the plain has more open neighbourhoods, with apartment blocks and houses, as well as business zones where small companies set up or relocate.

These differences change the movers’ work. In the old centre, a bulky piece of furniture sometimes has to go through a narrow stairwell, or a window or door of limited size. On the outskirts, loading is generally simpler, because there is room to bring the vehicle close. So state the type of home precisely when you make your request: this is what allows the time and equipment needed to be estimated correctly.

Access, parking and floors in Villeneuve

In the old town, narrow streets limit the size of lorry that can get close. It may have to stop some distance from the door, which lengthens the carrying: boxes and furniture then make the journey on foot or on a hand truck. Also allow for stairs: without a lift, each floor adds time and effort, and some items simply will not fit.

On the plain, access is easier: wider roads, the possibility of bringing in a larger vehicle, more direct loading. If your home is on a high floor or bulky furniture will not fit up the stairs, a furniture lift may be the solution, provided it can be set up in front of the building.

A lorry, furniture lift or skip occupying the public road may require prior authorisation from the commune or the police. Enquire a few days, or even a few weeks, before the date: this is particularly useful in narrow streets, where a stopped vehicle quickly obstructs traffic. The guide on the parking permit for moving day explains the procedure.

Choosing the right time to move to Villeneuve

For a rented home, the notice period is in principle three months for the date set by local custom or, failing that, for the end of a three-month lease quarter (art. 266c of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO), unless your contract provides for longer. Customary dates vary by canton and commune: check your lease and find out about local custom. Notice must be given in writing (art. 266l CO). Our guide on moving dates in Switzerland helps you find your way.

Dates close to the customary moving dates are the most in demand, because many tenants move at the same time: book early if you can. If you wish to leave before the lease ends, art. 264 CO allows you to be released by presenting a solvent replacement tenant willing to take over the lease on the same terms.

As for the weather, the plain at the head of the lake does not impose the constraints of the mountains, but a rainy day makes stairs slippery and boxes fragile, and summer heat tires the crews as well as the people moving. Have a plan B to protect your belongings.

Your administrative steps for moving to Villeneuve

Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): departure in the former commune, arrival in the new one, within the period set by the canton. In many communes, the notification can be made online via eMoving (eUmzugCH). The guide on registering with the commune summarises the steps.

Then think about changing your address with your employer, insurer, bank and subscriptions. For the home you are leaving, prepare the move-out inspection (état des lieux) and the return of the keys; for the one you are moving into, the rental deposit may not exceed three months’ rent for a dwelling (art. 257e CO) and is paid into a blocked account in your name. To terminate the lease of a family home, the express consent of the spouse or partner is required (art. 266m and 266n CO).

If you are arriving from abroad or leaving for France, customs and the residence permit come into play: find out early from the competent authorities.

Useful services for moving to Villeneuve

Residential moving

For an old-town apartment or a house on the plain, residential moving covers loading, transport and setting up. Specify the floors, the lift and the carrying distance to get a realistic quote.

Furniture lift

In an old building with a narrow staircase, the furniture lift avoids forcing a sofa or wardrobe through. It requires a space available in front of the façade, to be checked with the commune.

Packing and unpacking

Packing and unpacking save time and protect crockery and fragile items, especially when the carrying distance is long or there are many stairs.

Furniture assembly and disassembly

To get a large piece of furniture up a narrow staircase, it often has to be taken apart. Furniture assembly and disassembly allows it to be put back together exactly as before.

Storage

If your move-out and move-in dates do not coincide, storage lets you keep your belongings for as long as necessary.

End-of-lease cleaning

To hand back the home in good condition, end-of-lease cleaning prepares the move-out inspection.

Request a quote

1. You describe your move online: addresses, volume, floors, preferred date.
2. Professional removal companies in the region contact you, possibly for a visit to the premises.
3. You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose or not.

To get started, you can request a quote.

Around Villeneuve

Moving in the surrounding area? See our pages on Montreux, Aigle and Port-Valais. For an overview, see moving in the canton of Vaud or all communes.

Frequently asked questions