Forming a picturesque natural border between France and Switzerland, Lake Geneva (or Lac Leman in French) has always been popular with tourists who enjoy stunning natural scenery, rather than busy and bustling cities. Of course, the large city of Geneva is located on the shore just over the Swiss border, but on the French side you are more likely to find tiny villages, spa towns and lots of greenery.
Perhaps the most famous of the towns on the French side of Lake Geneva is Evian-les-Bains, the original source of the well-known bottled water. Full of belle époque buildings from the mid-19th century, when the spa resort was at its peak, the town is home to several luxury hotels and resorts today, with visitors still invited to “take the waters”. The smaller Thonon-les-Bains, set a little way back from the lake shore, also used to be a spa town, though now many of the resorts have closed. It is worth visiting to see the gardens of the Chateau de Ripaille, especially the impressive arboretum, which has been home to the Mémorial National des Justes de France, those who risked their lives to save Jews during World War II, since 1997. The town has its own funicular railway which links it to the town of Rives on the banks of Lake Geneva. The tiny medieval villages of Yvoire and Nernier mark the border between the Grand Lac and the Petit Lac in the west, and both are pleasant places for a stroll among the flower decorations installed in the summer months.
With such a huge body of water on hand, it is no wonder that there are several water sports centres on the lake, as well as “beaches” where swimming and sunbathing is popular with visitors and locals alike. Access to the beaches is generally free, though a few do charge admission for the privilege of using their changing facilities. Many beaches have pedalos for hire, or more experienced sailors can hire a sailing boat. If you prefer to sit back and let someone else do the work, several companies run motor boat trips on the lake in the summer or you can take a ride on the ferry that provides public transport for locals. There are dozens of cycling and hiking routes around the water, and in winter the hills above Lake Geneva are home to ski resorts that are often cheaper than those found in the more popular areas of the Alps.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Lake Geneva? Then below is a selection of gites in Lake Geneva and villas in Lake Geneva that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
