Lake Geneva or Lake Léman
A "sea" at the foot of the mountains
The largest lake of Savoie Mont Blanc offers a wide range of water activities, exquisite lakeside villages and elegant spa towns like Evian or Thonon-les-Bains.
Savoie shares Lac Geneva with Switzerland but most of the southern bank and waters of this, the largest lake in Western Europe, are French. 73km long and 14km at its widest: you may feel at the edge of the sea!
Two major towns: Thonon-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains, both extremely appealing spa and sailing resorts. All the lakeside villages have really appealing beaches.
A boat trip is de rigueur: more than 16 boats cruises can take you on the lake (try the famous Belle Epoque paddle wheel boats). Sailing, swimming, rowing are also extremely popular on Lac Léman.
Beaches around lac Léman
(watched over by lifeguards)
Anthy-sur-Léman, Chens-sur-Léman, Evian-les-Bains, Excenevex, Lugrin, Margencel, Maxilly-sur-Léman, Meillerie, Neuvecelle, Publier, St-Gingolph, Sciez, Thonon-les-Bains.
Posh little ports around lac Léman
Thonon-les-Bains, Anthy-sur-Léman, Evian-les-Bains, Excenevex, Lugrin, Meillerie, Nernier, Publier, Sciez et Yvoire.Golf course of Evian-les-Bains
Evian Masters golf: at the heart of a wooded park, golf lovers will discover the Evian Masters Golf Club: a legendary and private golf course, technically challenging, facing lake Geneva and the mountains. It attracts each year the world's best women players during the Evian Masters tournament.
Belvederes overlooking the lake
Stunning view on the lake, with easy access by car. Contact the tourist office of Thonon-les-Bains for directions: +33 4 50 71 55 55
Cultural Heritage
The lakeside villages are exquisite:
Yvoire with its waterside castle and striking marina much-prized is cute as a village in a fairy tale. The village is member of the association "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" (The prettiest villages of France).
Neighbouring Nernier competes in prettiness, a plaque recalling how Mary shelley penned some of her children novel Frankenstein here, on a celebrated holiday she spent by the lake in 1816.
Thonon-les-Bains was historic capital of the Chablais region. Connected by cable car, the historic and shopping quarters stand high on their promontory. You can visit the Musée du Chablais -+33 4 50 70 69 49- exhibition of the regional culture, and nearby the churches of St-François de Sales and St-Hippolyte. Down below, near the beach: the Ecomusée de la Pêche - a modest fishing museum - +33 4 50 70 69 49
Surrounded by vineyards, The impressive Chateau de Ripaille served as a hunting lodge for the lord of Savoie.
The elegant spa resorts of Evian-les-Bains used to be a fashionable Edwardian resort frequented by aristocracy. it is also the birthplace of Evian mineral water. Taste water from the free Cachat springs above the glamorous Art Nouveau Buvette Thermale. Enjoy a walk on the promenade for a fantastic view the lake, Casino, Palais Lumière and posh hotels... and don't miss the free cable-car ride up the slope.
In Sciez, the Aigles du Léman proposes stunning shows featuring hundreds of animals: eagles, wolves, bares...
Natural Heritage
The French coast of lake Geneva is a paricularly attractive area for its natural heritage:
the Natural Reserve of the Dranse delta in Thonon, the Jardin des 5 sens in Yvoire, a garden of poetry and an unsual floral experience... the Jardin de l'Eau du Pré Curieux in Evian, a lake-side garden set out to show the different aspects of wetland ecosystems...
Where to eat
Les Fresques Royales, in Evian-les-Bains - 1 star in the Guide Michelin
Le Prieuré, in Thonon-les-Bains - 1 star in the Guide Michelin. Tel + 33 4 50 71 31 89
The Auberge d'Anthy in Anthy-sur-Léman is a family fish restaurant (inexpensive)
