Maison d'Ailleurs

Museum Science fiction museum in Switzerland housing speculative works

Museum in Yverdon-les-Bains dedicated to science fiction and speculative thought, with rotating exhibitions, original illustrations and archives for genre enthusiasts.

Main image

Maison d’Ailleurs is a museum of science fiction, utopia, and extraordinary journeys located in Yverdon-les-Bains in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. It was established by collector and scholar Pierre Versins and houses materials related to speculative fiction and related visual arts.

Permanent and temporary exhibitions display books, illustrations, posters, and objects that document the history and cultural impact of science fiction and utopian thought. The museum also maintains archives and organizes public programs and exhibitions that explore literary and visual imaginaries.

Housed in a historic building in central Yverdon-les-Bains, the museum is accessible from the town center and participates in cultural events in the region.

  • Founding and focus: Founded by the French bibliographer Pierre Versins in 1976 and located in Yverdon-les-Bains, it specializes in science fiction, utopia, and extraordinary journeys.
Maison d'Ailleurs
Maligne Canyon, Maligne Valley, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
46.7786, 6.6419
Daily (park hours vary seasonally)

How to Get to Maison d'Ailleurs #

Maligne Canyon is 10-15 minutes’ drive east of Jasper townsite along Maligne Road. There is a designated parking area at the canyon entrance. Jasper is served by Highway 16; the nearest major city is Edmonton (~4 hours’ drive). Shuttle services and tours from Jasper town operate during the main summer season.

Tips for Visiting Maison d'Ailleurs #

  • Go early to avoid crowds and to see the canyon in the softer light.
  • Walk all six bridges - each offers a slightly different perspective and geological insight.
  • Bring a water bottle and a jacket; the canyon can be much cooler than the surrounding trails.

Best Time to Visit Maison d'Ailleurs #

Summer offers full access and the warmest weather; winter transforms the canyon into a frozen spectacle but requires winter gear.

Summer
Jun-Aug · 5-20°C
All trails open, warmest weather, most accessible.
Shoulder seasons
May & Sep · 0-15°C
Fewer visitors and dramatic light; some late snow possible in May.
Winter
Nov-Mar · -20-0°C
Frozen sculptural icicles and a different silence; bring crampons and check conditions.

Weather & Climate near Maison d'Ailleurs #

Climate

Maison d'Ailleurs's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 25°C. Abundant rainfall (1084 mm/year), wettest in June, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (111 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 22°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
14° 25°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 20°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

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