Lake Geneva, French side: Thonon to Yvoire

Last remnant of Thonon's medieval fortifications: Porte des Lombards, square tower, 19th-century Rabelaisian friezes. Exteriors free, JEP visits in September.

A 24-hectare natural area on the shores of Lake Léman: ancient forest, centuries-old chestnut trees, lakeside shores, and remarkable biodiversity. Free access year-round.

Granges de Servette Museum: contemporary art (Lyon school) and 1,000+ old tools at Chens-sur-Léman. Free entry, summer 3-7 pm.

Only natural fine sand beach on the French shore of Lake Geneva. Gentle slope, water 25°C in summer, supervised swimming. Parking €6 in season, beach free.

String of natural pebble beaches spanning 3 km on Lake Léman, bordering Ripaille Castle estate. Free access, protected shoreline.

400 m 'Sous les Prés' lawn beach on the Messery peninsula, facing Nyon (Switzerland). Gentle slope, shade, summer snack-bar, paddle and pedalo hire.

Free Blue Flag beach on Lake Léman, supervised swimming in summer, adjacent to Châtaigneraie park in Thonon-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie.

Grassy Lake Geneva beach with supervised swimming in summer, dog area, games, boules and ping-pong. Free access year-round in Sciez, Haute-Savoie.

14th-century medieval tower at the Port de Rives, last remnant of the 1283 mestralie. The name comes from a feudal due of ox tongues, abolished in 1773. Free access.

Large lakeside park in Thonon: children's playgrounds, mini-golf, sports, picnic, beach. Free access, ideal for families.

Wild Dranse delta on Lake Geneva between Thonon and Publier: reedbeds, alluvial forest, water birds. Free trails, managed by Asters.

Leisure complex around a temperate natural lake at 900 m altitude. Supervised swimming, adventure course, water sports. Day pass €18, entry €3.80.

14th-c. residence of Amadeus VIII (Pope Felix V), charterhouse, 1892–1903 restoration. Arboretum + AOC Ripaille wines. Adult €12, open 1 April–2 November 2026.

CGN's Yvoire stop, gateway to the medieval village listed Plus Beau Village de France: seasonal N3 Nyon–Yvoire line on Belle Époque boats over Lake Geneva.

The only place with aquariums in Haute-Savoie, at the Port de Rives. 2 Lake Geneva aquariums, fishermen's huts. Adult €3.50, free under 18 and every Sunday.

Remarkable Garden in Yvoire's heart, medieval maze of 2,600 m² with 1,500+ plant varieties, 5 sensory gardens. Adults €15, children €8.50. Open April-October.

Bird of prey park in Sciez, 8 hectares with 350 birds of 80 species, daily free-flight shows. Adults €15, schedules and online ticketing available.

Chablais history museum in the 1666 Château de Sonnaz in Thonon. Adult 3.50 EUR, free under 18 and every Sunday. Open mid-May to mid-November.

Former thermal establishment (1902) converted into an exhibition space. Full price €9, reduced €7, free under 16. Painting, sculpture, photography exhibitions.

Treetop adventure park among century-old oak trees in the Coudrée Estate. Over 40 activities, 2 courses, from €13. Family Plus certified.