Free
Grangette Leisure Park
Thonon-les-Bains
Large lakeside park in Thonon: children's playgrounds, mini-golf, sports, picnic, beach. Free access, ideal for families.
Paid · Book online
Château de Ripaille
Residence of Duke Amédée VIII of Savoy (who became Pope Félix V) in the 15th century, a charterhouse, a neo-medieval restoration in 1892-1903 by Engel-Gros, set on 53 hectares on the shores of Léman.
Pymouss44 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Medieval château + charterhouse + 1900 restoration
Access
Paid (free under 7)
Price
Adult €12 · Reduced €9 · Family pass €29
Duration
2 to 4 hours
Best season
1 April - 2 November 2026
Parking
Free at the entrance to the estate
Animals
Allowed on a lead in the arboretum
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Allowed (courtyard, arboretum, knights' hall)
Town
Thonon-les-Bains
💶
Price
Plein tarif adulte
12,00 €Visite château + chartreuse + arboretum + jardin médiéval
Tarif réduit
9,00 ۃtudiants, demandeurs d'emploi, seniors 65+
Pass famille
29,00 €2 adultes + 2 enfants, économie 5 €
Enfant handicapé + accompagnant
5,00 €Tarif handicap réduit
Audioguide
3,00 €Supplément, 4 langues (FR/EN/DE/IT)
Gratuité totale
0,00 €Moins de 7 ans
What is Château de Ripaille
The Château de Ripaille at Thonon-les-Bains (74200) is one of the major heritage sites of the Chablais: residence of the Dukes of Savoy from the 14th century, and the retreat of Duke Amadeus VIII (later Pope Felix V), who retired there in 1434 with 5 knights of the Order of Saint Maurice. A charterhouse founded by Amadeus VIII in 1410 completes the estate. Confiscated at the Revolution and bought in 1892 by the Mulhouse industrialist Frédéric Engel-Gros (DMC textiles), it received a sweeping Neo-medieval historicist restoration between 1892 and 1903 by architect Charles Schulé. Of the original seven towers, four still rise above the 14th-century walls.
The 53-hectare estate on the shore of Lake Geneva is unique in Haute-Savoie: a 19th–20th-century arboretum (rare species, giant sequoias), a reconstructed medieval garden, AOC Ripaille vineyards (white chasselas) across 23 hectares and the adjoining 350-hectare Ripaille state forest. The Fondation Ripaille (Necker-Engel family, recognised as a public-interest charity) manages the estate and its working vineyard. The original Engel-Gros Belle-Époque furniture is preserved in the apartments.
2026 prices: adult €12, reduced €9 (students, jobseekers, seniors 65+), family pass €29 (2 adults + 2 children, saving €5), child with disability + carer €5, audioguide €3 supplement (FR/EN/DE/IT), free under 7. Open 1 April to 2 November 2026, plus Christmas window (22 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026) and Zone A school holidays. April–June and Sept–Oct: 2pm–5.30pm (Wed–Sun); July–August: 11am–5.30pm daily. Star't bus line A 'Ripaille' 5 min away, Thonon Léman Express station 3 km, free parking. Partial wheelchair access. 'Flash Back!' exhibition announced for 2026. AOC Ripaille wine tasting and sales on the way out.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
83 avenue de Ripaille, 74200 Thonon-les-Bains (signposted from central Thonon and the port of Rives) View on map
Coordinates
46.378° N · 6.489° E
Altitude
≈ 380 m (on the shores of Léman)
Opening hours
2026 SEASON: 1 APRIL TO 2 NOVEMBER + Christmas (22 Dec 2025 - 4 Jan 2026) + school holidays zone A. April-June and Sept-Oct: Wed-Sun 2pm-5:30pm. July-August: every day 11am-5:30pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays outside season. Last entry 1 hour before closing. Checked on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Booking
No booking needed for individuals (ticketing on site). Groups (15+) and themed guided tours by reservation by phone on +33 (0)4 50 26 64 44 or at ripaille.fr. Private tours of the vineyard estate on request. Checked on 24 May 2026.
Parking
Free parking at the entrance to the Château de Ripaille estate (capacity about 80 spaces). Accessible to coaches.
Animals
Dogs allowed on a lead in the arboretum and the outdoor grounds of the Château de Ripaille. Not admitted inside the historic buildings (château + charterhouse).
Accessibility
The Château de Ripaille is partially wheelchair accessible: the inner courtyard, the 53-hectare arboretum, and the knights' hall (ground floor) are accessible to wheelchairs. Upper floors of the château and charterhouse are NOT accessible. Reduced disability rate €5. Checked on 24 May 2026.
Visit duration
2 to 4 hours at the Château de Ripaille depending on depth: château + charterhouse + arboretum + medieval garden + AOC Ripaille tasting
Contact
+33 (0)4 50 26 64 44 · contact@ripaille.fr · ripaille.fr. Checked on 24 May 2026.
Access
How to get there
By car
From Geneva (≈45 min, 35 km) via the A40 then D1206 to Thonon, follow signs for 'Ripaille' and 'Domaine de Ripaille'. From Annecy (≈1h, 75 km) via the A41 then D1005. Free parking at the entrance.
Open in MapsPublic transport
Star't bus (Thonon Agglo) line A, 'Ripaille' stop, 5 minutes' walk from the Château de Ripaille. Thonon-les-Bains SNCF station (Léman Express from Geneva) 3 km away, taxi/rideshare or bus to reach the château.
Open in MapsBy bike
Chablais greenway and the shores of Léman near the Château de Ripaille. Bike parking at the entrance to the estate. The Léman à vélo route ('La Léman') passes nearby.
Open in MapsNearest stops
- College Champagne · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y03, Y91 · 469 m
- Thonon-les-Bains · SNCF (TER) · 1149 m
- Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Official fares & timetables →
- SNCF (TER) · Official fares & timetables →
Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
When to visit
When to visit
The Château de Ripaille is open from 1 April to 2 November 2026 plus Christmas windows (22 Dec 2025 - 4 Jan 2026) and school holidays zone A. Pre-season April-June: lush arboretum, moderate crowds ideal for a peaceful visit. High season July-August: maximum opening hours (every day 11am-5:30pm), significant crowds — favour the morning for the château and the afternoon for the arboretum. Late season September-October: spectacular autumn colours in the arboretum, ideal for heritage and nature enthusiasts. Christmas holidays: exceptional winter atmosphere, special events. RESIDENCE OF DUKE AMÉDÉE VIII OF SAVOY (who became POPE FÉLIX V) — a unique European historical link in Haute-Savoie, featured in every textbook on medieval history. NEO-MEDIEVAL RESTORATION 1892-1903 by Charles Schulé for Engel-Gros (DMC) — a major example of Belle Époque historicist taste. A 53-HECTARE ESTATE on the shores of Léman with an arboretum, a charterhouse, a medieval garden, and a working AOC RIPAILLE VINEYARD. €12 admission, good value for the heritage quality on offer; €29 family pass is a good deal. Direct Star't bus line A, free parking. Partially wheelchair accessible.
Events : 2026 programme on ripaille.fr: 'Flash Back!' exhibition announced. Cultural season (concerts in the arboretum, historical talks), European Heritage Days mid-September (special rates), Museum Night mid-May. Weddings and private events possible (quote from Fondation Ripaille).
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I book at the Château de Ripaille?
The Château de Ripaille has free access with ticketing on site during the season (1 April - 2 Nov + school holidays zone A + Christmas). No booking needed for individuals. Groups (15+) and themed tours on +33 (0)4 50 26 64 44 or ripaille.fr.
What is the admission price for the Château de Ripaille?
Château de Ripaille: adult €12, reduced €9, family pass €29 (save €5), disabled child + carer €5, audio guide €3 supplement, free under 7. Checked on 24 May 2026.
What are the opening hours of the Château de Ripaille?
Château de Ripaille: 1 April - 2 Nov 2026 + Christmas + school holidays zone A. April-June and Sept-Oct: Wed-Sun 2pm-5:30pm. July-August: every day 11am-5:30pm. Checked on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
What is the history of the Château de Ripaille?
The Château de Ripaille was the residence of Duke Amédée VIII of Savoy (who became Pope Félix V), who retired here in 1434 with 5 knights of the Order of Saint-Maurice. Charterhouse founded in 1410. Restored 1892-1903 by Engel-Gros (DMC) with architect Charles Schulé.
What is AOC Ripaille at the Château de Ripaille?
AOC Ripaille: dry white wine made from chasselas grapes, produced on 23 hectares of the working vineyard estate of the Château de Ripaille. Tasting and sales at the end of the visit. Cellar and winery visible on specific guided tours.
What can you see in the arboretum of the Château de Ripaille?
The arboretum of the Château de Ripaille (53 hectares total estate) features rare species created in the late 19th century by Engel-Gros: giant sequoias, copper beeches, century-old oaks, exotics. Pond, shaded paths.
Is the Château de Ripaille accessible to wheelchair users?
The Château de Ripaille is partially wheelchair accessible: the inner courtyard, the 53-hectare arboretum, and the knights' hall (ground floor) are accessible to wheelchairs. Upper floors of the château and charterhouse are not accessible. Reduced disability rate €5.
How do I get to the Château de Ripaille from Geneva?
The Château de Ripaille is 45 minutes from Geneva (35 km) via the A40 then D1206 to Thonon. Star't bus line A, 'Ripaille' stop, 5 minutes' walk. Thonon SNCF station (Léman Express) is 3 km away. Free parking at the entrance.
Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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