---
title: "Alternative to matchmaking agencies in French-speaking Switzerland"
description: "Matchmaking agency or selective dating site? What an agency offers, what Swiss law says, and what Velvet offers in French-speaking Switzerland."
url: https://velvet-dating.ch/en/alternative/agence-matrimoniale
lang: en
updated: 2026-11-12
---
# An _alternative_ to matchmaking agencies in French-speaking Switzerland

Torn between a matchmaking agency and a dating site? Here is an honest look at what an agency offers, what Swiss law says, and what Velvet offers as an alternative to matchmaking agencies in French-speaking Switzerland.

By the Velvet team Updated 12 November 2026 8-minute read

## In brief

A matchmaking agency gives you personal support and introduces you to people, under a written contract that Swiss law regulates closely. A selective site such as Velvet gives you more independence: you receive a few profiles every day chosen to match your criteria, with public prices and a minimum commitment of just one month. Both approaches can work; they meet different expectations.

#### What an agency offers

- Someone who knows you personally
- Introductions prepared for you
- A written contract, regulated by law

#### Its constraints

- Introductions depend on the agency's client base
- A binding contract for defined services
- Each agency sets its own price

## Matchmaking agency or dating site: two approaches

People turn to a matchmaking agency for good reasons: lack of time, not wanting to put themselves on show online, needing advice, or simply liking a serious, discreet approach. Velvet takes these expectations seriously.

So looking for an alternative to a matchmaking agency does not mean giving up on those standards. It means choosing a different way of meeting them: keeping the selection and the discretion, while gaining independence and clarity about the terms.

## What a matchmaking agency offers

A matchmaking agency sells an introduction service. The Swiss Code of Obligations defines it as follows: in return for payment, the agency undertakes to introduce you to people with a view to marriage or a stable partnership (art. 406a CO).

The process usually begins with an interview, during which an adviser gets a sense of your personality and what you are looking for. The agency then searches its client base for people who might suit you and arranges the introductions. Depending on the agency, the support can go further: advice, feedback after a date, adjustments to the search.

This human contact is an agency's real strength. An experienced person can pick up on what a form does not say, and steer the introductions accordingly.

## What Swiss law says

A contract with a matchmaking agency is a special type of contract, protected by the Code of Obligations (art. 406a to 406h). A few rules are worth knowing before you sign:

- **A written contract.** It is only valid if it is in writing and states the number and nature of the services, the amount of the fee and the costs of each service, including the registration fee, and the terms of payment (art. 406d).
- **A fourteen-day cooling-off period.** The contract only comes into force fourteen days after you receive a signed copy. During that period, you can withdraw in writing, and the agency must not accept any payment (art. 406e).
- **Termination at any time.** You can end the contract in writing at any moment; if you do so at an inopportune time, you must compensate the agency for the damage caused (art. 406d).
- **Discretion and information.** The agency has a duty of discretion regarding your data and must inform you, before you sign and throughout the contract, of any particular difficulties your circumstances might pose for fulfilling it (art. 406g).
- **Fees that can be reviewed.** If the fee or costs are excessive, you can ask a court to reduce them (art. 406h).

These rules say something about this service: you sign a binding contract for services defined in advance. Read it carefully and compare several offers.

Looking for a curated selection, at your own pace? Pre-register with Velvet: 15 days on us when we open.[Pre-register](https://velvet-dating.ch/en/preinscription)

## What Velvet offers

Velvet is a premium dating site for French-speaking Switzerland. It keeps the central idea of an agency, selection, but leaves the decisions to you. Every day, you receive a few profiles chosen to match your criteria: what you are looking for, age, distance, lifestyle and interests. Each suggestion shows your affinity as a percentage.

Discretion is built into how it works. Your profile is visible only to logged-in members, never to search engines, and you can hide it at any time. Nobody can message you without your consent: a conversation only opens when the interest is mutual. Members who wish can have their identity verified and receive a badge.

The terms are public. Three plans give the same full access; only the length changes: Découverte at 89 CHF a month, Premium at 239 CHF for 3 months, Elite at 889 CHF a year, with payment charged in euros by CCBill. The new platform opens soon; pre-registered members receive 15 days on us, which start the first time they log in and must be activated within 30 days of opening.

## What Velvet does not replace

Let us be clear: Velvet does not offer a personal interview with an adviser or dates arranged for you. If you need someone to get to know you, advise you and prepare each meeting, a reputable matchmaking agency remains the right approach.

If, on the other hand, you want a curated selection while staying in control of your choices and your pace, Velvet is designed for you.

![A couple on a lakeside terrace on Lake Geneva, facing the Alps](https://cms.velvet-dating.ch/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/couple-leman-editorial.jpg)

## Matchmaking agency or Velvet: the differences

|  | Matchmaking agency | Velvet |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Principle | Introductions by the agency, for a fee | A few profiles chosen every day |
| Starting point | Usually a personal interview | Your criteria: goal, age, distance, lifestyle |
| Who decides on contact | The agency suggests, you accept | You, if the interest is mutual |
| Support | Advice, depending on the agency | No personal support |
| Contract | Written, 14-day cooling-off period (art. 406e CO) | Online plan, from 1 month |
| Price | Set by each agency, fixed in the contract | Public, from 89 CHF a month |
| Discretion | Legal duty of discretion (art. 406g CO) | Profile visible to logged-in members only |
| Getting started | Depends on the agency | 15 days on us for pre-registered members |

Rules on agencies taken from the Code of Obligations (art. 406a to 406h), consulted on fedlex.admin.ch on 12 November 2026. Offers vary from one agency to another.

## How to choose

Ask yourself three questions. Do you need advice, or would you rather save time? Would you prefer someone else to decide on introductions for you, or to choose for yourself from a short selection? Are you ready to sign an agency contract, or would you rather have a short plan you can try out?

Nothing stops you from pre-registering with Velvet first: there is no commitment and no bank card is needed. To compare with other sites, also read our pages on the [Parship alternative](https://velvet-dating.ch/alternative/parship) and [premium dating sites](https://velvet-dating.ch/site-de-rencontre-haut-de-gamme).

## Our view

A good matchmaking agency brings a human perspective that no site can replace. Velvet brings something else: a daily selection in French-speaking Switzerland, built-in discretion, prices known in advance and the freedom to choose. It is up to you to decide what matters most right now.

**The Velvet team**Velvet is our own site. We say so openly, and we describe the other services against the same criteria, based on their public pages.

Frequently asked questions

## Matchmaking agency or selective site

What is the difference between a matchmaking agency and a dating site?

A matchmaking agency makes the introductions for you, for a fee, often after a personal interview. On a dating site, you choose for yourself who interests you. Velvet sits between the two: it introduces you to just a few profiles chosen every day to match your criteria, but you make the decisions, and a conversation only opens when the interest is mutual.

Can you cancel a matchmaking agency contract in Switzerland?

Yes. Under the Code of Obligations, the contract only comes into force fourteen days after you receive a signed copy, and you can withdraw in writing during that period; the agency must not accept any payment before then. After that, you can terminate in writing at any time, compensating the agency for any damage caused if you do so at an inopportune time (art. 406d and 406e CO).

What must a matchmaking agency contract contain?

The contract must be in writing and state the name and address of the parties, the number and nature of the services, the fee and the costs of each service, including the registration fee, the terms of payment, and your rights of withdrawal and termination (art. 406d CO). Without these details, it is not valid.

Does Velvet offer personal support?

No. Velvet does not replace an agency adviser. Every day, it suggests a few profiles chosen according to your goal, age, distance, lifestyle and interests, each with your affinity as a percentage. You stay in control of your choices and your pace.

How much does Velvet cost compared with an agency?

Agency prices vary and are set out in their contracts. Velvet's prices are public: Découverte 89 CHF a month, Premium 239 CHF for 3 months, Elite 889 CHF a year, charged in euros by CCBill. Pre-registered members receive 15 days on us when we open.

## The other alternatives

### [Tinder alternative](https://velvet-dating.ch/en/alternative/tinder)

For those who want to stop swiping and look for a serious relationship.

### [Parship alternative](https://velvet-dating.ch/en/alternative/parship)

For those who want fewer questions and a shorter commitment.

### [Meetic alternative](https://velvet-dating.ch/en/alternative/meetic)

For those who prefer a short selection to searching by criteria.

## Your selection is waiting

Pre-register now: 15 days on us, starting the first time you log in after we open.

[Save my spot](https://velvet-dating.ch/en/preinscription)