I’ve been to Switzerland.
Zurich is a typical big dirty city. But where I stayed, in Bern, it was absolutely beautiful. People swim in the river that goes around the city. In July, the water temp. was 50deg F. Quite chilly. But I did it half a doz. times. The river flows really fast. And there are many sets of steps on the side along the river. So you go upstream and jump in and the river carries you really fast. I saw little girls doing it so I said what the heck I can do this. What a blast that was. But if you miss the last set of steps, you hit the dam where they get hydroelectric power! Not while I was visiting, but someone did die that way.
I know Switzerland is made up of Cantons. What did they primarily speak in the one you were located in?