Lake Geneva, French shore

Lake Geneva, French shore!

Opposite is Switzerland

You stand in awe of such immensity. The other shoreThe other side of the lake, in Switzerland, seems as far away as if it were an arm of the sea. Motorboats, big boats carrying dozens of people, sailing boats, fishing boats criss-cross the lake in all directions. Lake Geneva is certainly impressive.

Opposite is Switzerland. Whether you're on a sandy beach at Excevenex, or in the small, medieval and photogenic village of Yvoire, Switzerland is across the road.

Whether you're standing on the esplanade overlooking the harbor in Thonon les Bains, or on the lakeside promenade in Evian les Bains, you're facing Switzerland.

Whether you're on the heights of Pays Gavot above Evian, or wedged between lake and mountains in Saint Gingolph, Switzerland is across the road.

In the distance, you can admire the sunny shores of Switzerlandthe vineyards of Lavaux, the nearby Jura or the city of Lausanne stretching out in front of you, but also the Vaudois Alps, overlooking the shores of Montreux... But on the shore you're standing on, what are you going to discover?

French towns on Lake Geneva

Do you enjoy exploring this strip of land wedged between the shores of Lake Geneva and the foothills of the Chablais. For a start, you'll discover a pleasant year-round climate. It's cooler than inland in summer, and milder than inland in winter. Lake Geneva plays its role as a mitigator for large bodies of water.

This mild, garden-friendly climate makes the parks of castles and spas even more beautiful. The estates of Château de Ripaille near Thonon, or the parks and promenades of Evian les Bains remind you of this at every outing.

Sailing from port to port on the lake allows you to see each of the towns from a more seaside angle: Evian, with its promenade, grand hotels, casino and thermal baths, Thonon with its small port, and the old town a little further up, Yvoire, whose stone houses seem to love contact with the water of the lake. Yvoire is certainly a must-visit nugget: old streets, pretty craft stores, a vibrant little port with excellent restaurants on the promenade, and flowers everywhere.

You can round off your stay by buying some Swiss chocolate in Saint Gingolph, an unusual village split in two by an incongruous border, or swimming in Excenevex at the right time of year, not forgetting to stock up on local produce at the Douvaine market.

The French shore of Lake Geneva is quite short compared to the opposite shore, but it allows you to enjoy the lake and discover the mountains that border it.

The mountains inland from Lake Geneva

From Evian, you'll want to discover the Dent d'Oche from the pretty village of Bernex, or go skiing on the Mémises plateau overlooking the lake at the resort of Thollon les Mémises.

You can also discover the authenticity of the Val d'Abondance, or ski in the fantastic Avoriaz, easily accessible from Thonon, and if the mood takes you, you can hike the peaks of the Vallée Verte above Les Habères and contemplate Mont Blanc.

However, a lake is best enjoyed in summer, when you can swim in it. There's no shortage of beaches. Among the prettiest and best equipped are those of Excevenex, with its low waters and sandy beaches. But every little nook and cranny near a pier offers a chance to find a secret spot, a space between two rocks or on a small patch of grass, in contact with the water.

Fancy a trip to the city? Nothing could be easier, Geneva Geneva is just around the corner, and Lausanne is just across the river from Evian.

Summer and winter alike, Lake Geneva gives you the opportunity to get away from it all: lake, mountain, ski, water sports, France, Switzerland. And the French shore, closest to the mountains, is the most suitable for this kind of varied holiday.

Discover this region by reading the following articles from the AlpAddict blog!

Discover the French shore of Lake Geneva on video

The best webcams on the French shore of Lake Geneva

(click on the village name)

• Evian les Bains Evian les Bains: a webcam to enjoy the lakeside stroll.
• Thonon les BainsThonon les Bains: a beautiful view of the port of Thonon and Lake Geneva.
• ExcenevexExcenevex beach and the Alpes Vaudoises.
• Thollon les MémisesThollon les Mémises: magnificent lake views from the heights of the Thollon les Mémises ski area. Snow and lake on the menu!

Activities not to be missed on the French shore of Lake Geneva