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Château de Fonbonne and its Herbularius
14th-century fortified manor in the heart of Évian-les-Bains, turned into a hotel in the 19th century, accompanied since 2011 by a freely accessible medicinal Herbularius garden (sage, rosemary, fennel), near the Thermes.
At a glance
Type
Heritage + medieval Herbularius garden
Access
Free garden · private château
Price
Free (garden)
Duration
20 to 45 minutes
Best season
Spring to autumn (garden in season)
Parking
Évian town-centre car parks
Town
Évian-les-Bains
What is Château de Fonbonne and its Herbularius
The Château de Fonbonne (sometimes spelled Fontbonne) is one of the discreet but singular heritage buildings at the heart of Évian-les-Bains. A fortified manor stood on this site from the 14th century, helping to defend the new Touvière quarter — the upper town outside Évian's enclosure, created by Amadeus V in 1303. The building was acquired in 1559 by Thomas Jacquerod and passed to the de Loys de Bonnevaux family.
In the late 18th century the wealthy English writer William Beckford stayed there and threw memorable parties. Transformed into a hotel around 1860, the building was reshaped by later restorations and today looks more 19th-century than medieval. Its garden, however, is the main draw.
In 2011 the Évian municipal services laid out the former garden as an Herbularius, a medieval-style herb garden featuring aromatic and medicinal plants (sage, rosemary, fennel, horseradish, lavender, hyssop). Open during city park hours; free access.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Château de Fonbonne, La Touvière district, 74500 Évian-les-Bains (town centre, near the Thermes) View on map
Coordinates
46.400° N · 6.593° E
Altitude
≈ 380 m
Opening times
Herbularius garden freely accessible, mainly during the growing season (spring to autumn). Castle building closed to the public. Verified on ville-evian.fr on 10 June 2026.
Prices
Visit to the Herbularius garden is free. No interior visit of the Château de Fonbonne. Verified on 10 June 2026.
Official site
ville-evian.fr (heritage section, Château de Fonbonne) and evian-tourisme.com
Phone
Évian Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 50 75 04 26 · Évian town hall: +33 (0)4 50 83 10 00
Access / Parking
Public car parks in central Évian-les-Bains. Reachable on foot from the CGN landing stage or the Évian SNCF station (5–10 minutes).
Duration
20 to 45 minutes for the Herbularius garden and a read of the historical context. More if combined with other Évian gardens.
Audience
All audiences, families, lovers of medieval gardens, spa guests, Lake Geneva tourists.
Accessibility
Herbularius garden accessible on foot, partly to pushchairs (gravel paths). A few steps around the edge. No full PRM facilities.
Animals
Dogs allowed on a lead in the Herbularius garden of the Château de Fonbonne.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the Château de Fonbonne and its Herbularius?
The Château de Fonbonne is a heritage building in Évian-les-Bains, a former 14th-century fortified manor. Its garden, laid out in 2011 by the town as a Herbularius (medieval-inspired medicinal garden), is freely accessible and features sage, rosemary, fennel and other aromatic herbs.
Can you visit inside the Château de Fonbonne?
No, the Château de Fonbonne building at Évian-les-Bains is not open for interior visits. Only its Herbularius garden is accessible to the public.
How much does it cost to visit the Château de Fonbonne and Herbularius?
Access to the Herbularius garden of the Château de Fonbonne is entirely free. No ticketing. Verified on 10 June 2026.
What are the opening times of the Château de Fonbonne Herbularius garden?
The Herbularius garden at the Château de Fonbonne in Évian-les-Bains is freely accessible, especially during the growing season (spring to autumn). Check ville-evian.fr. Verified on 10 June 2026.
Where is the Château de Fonbonne?
The Château de Fonbonne lies in the historic La Touvière district of Évian-les-Bains, in the town centre, near the Thermes. GPS: 46.400° N · 6.593° E.
Which plants can you see in the Herbularius garden of the Château de Fonbonne?
The Herbularius garden of the Château de Fonbonne mainly features medieval-inspired aromatic and medicinal plants: sage, rosemary, fennel, horseradish, lemon balm, arranged in raised beds around a water feature.
What is the history of the Château de Fonbonne?
A fortified manor stood here in the 14th century, defending the new district of La Touvière. The Château de Fonbonne was bought in 1559 by Thomas Jacquerod, hosted William Beckford in the late 18th century, then was turned into a hotel around 1860.
What else can you do around the Château de Fonbonne in Évian?
Around the Château de Fonbonne, you can visit the Évian Thermes, the Palais Lumière, the Jardins de l'Eau du Pré Curieux, the Évian Resort Casino, or stroll along the Lake Geneva quays.
Featured in our selections
Sources
Sources & verification
- Ville d'Évian — Patrimoine — Château de Fonbonne
- Ville d'Évian — Herbularius du Fontbonne
- Évian Tourisme — Château de Fonbonne
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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