What to do around Lake Geneva? Thonon, Évian and the whole French shore

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Inter-municipal aquatic centre in Publier-Amphion: sports pool, fun pool, slides, sauna and hammam. By Lake Geneva.

Le France is a repertory / art-house cinema in central Thonon-les-Bains, dedicated to a curated programme: art-house features, documentaries, restored classics and

Network of walking trails at Publier (74): three concentric green/blue/red loops between the village and the Amphion plain, 5.5 km / 200 m climb, views of Lake Geneva.

Multi-discipline Lake Geneva sailing centre at Sciez: kitesurfing, dinghy and catamaran on the south shore, with optimal thermal winds in the afternoon.

20 bowling lanes + restaurant – the largest bowling alley near Thonon. 10 minutes from Thonon, ideal for an evening out in the Bas-Chablais.

Historic Belle Époque casino at Évian on the shore of Lake Geneva, Quai Charles-Albert-Besson: slot machines, gaming tables and exceptional architectural heritage.

Indoor play park for 0–12 at Thonon-les-Bains: 3 age zones, mini karting. 1–3 €7, 3–12 €10, under 1 free. Closed 23–24 May (Whitsun).

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.

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.

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

Blue Flag 2026 - 15,000 sqm of lawn and pebble shore. Playground, beach-volley, ping-pong, pétanque. 2 lakeside cafés and snack. Nordic sauna corner.

CGN's Évian stop on Lake Geneva: N1 Lausanne–Évian line year-round, served by the world's most prestigious Belle Époque fleet and modern vessels.

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.

50-metre Olympic outdoor pool on the shore of Lake Geneva at Thonon-les-Bains, with diving boards, beach and children's pool. Major public facility, adult entry €4.

Ciné Léman is a multiplex in the heart of Thonon-les-Bains with several digital, surround-sound auditoriums. Chablais multiplex — mainstream, art-house, OV, family

Cercle de la Voile de Thonon (CVT) at the Port de Rives: historic French Lake Geneva sailing club, school for Optimist, dinghy and catamaran, regattas and courses.

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.

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

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.

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

Natural lawn beach at the mouth of the Redon near Port de Séchex on Lake Geneva. Mature oaks, wild and quiet feel, restaurants at the port nearby. Unsupervised.

CGN's Thonon stop at Port de Rives: N2 Lausanne–Thonon line by modern Naviexpress vessels year-round, plus seasonal Belle Époque calls.

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

Castle built in 1666 by the Gerbaix de Sonnaz in the heart of Thonon-les-Bains, today home to the Chablais Museum and Tourist Office, facing Lake Geneva.

Protected natural site of 85 hectares classified as Natura 2000 in Sciez. Diverse habitats, unique fossil dunes, birdwatching observatory. Free access year-round.

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

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

Plage de Tougues in Chens-sur-Léman, on the shore of Lake Geneva near the Geneva border: lawn and pebbles shaded by century-old trees, barbecue area, playgrounds.

Family treetop adventure park by mountain lake: 7 courses from age 2, swimming, water sports. Adult €23. July-Aug 10am-6pm. Beunaz Beach, Saint-Paul-en-Chablais.

Thermal spa and wellness center in Évian-les-Bains: medical cures, treatments with natural evian® mineral water, fitness and wellness access. Online booking available.

Clerges watersports centre at Thonon-les-Bains: rowing and canoe-kayak club on Lake Geneva, the launch point for outings on the water.

Aviation association museum at Excenevex: aircraft, helicopters and gliders under restoration since 1992. Flight simulator, free access.

Blue Flag since 2020 (confirmed 2026). 3.5 ha of lawn, 50 m Olympic pool, 160 m slide and direct Lake Geneva access via diving boards. Historic Parc Dollfus.

The Pré Curieux Water Gardens in Évian: outstanding water garden on the shore of Lake Geneva, accessed by shuttle boat. Guided tour, April-October.

Évian-les-Bains watersports centre: paddle, kayak, sailing, rowing and diving sessions on Lake Geneva, supervised beach June–September. Bookable evening sessions.

14th-century fortified manor in the heart of Évian-les-Bains with its Herbularius medieval-inspired garden (sage, rosemary, fennel, horseradish), laid out in 2011.

3 ha beach + 50 m Olympic pool + 1.50/3/5/10 m diving boards + 100 m water slide + 3,000 sqm lake swimming area. Blue Flag 2026. Adult 5.70 EUR.

Hot-air balloon flight at dawn over Lake Geneva, the Chablais and the Mont Blanc massif, departing from Évian. ~1 h flight, 3 h total.

Collection of Buisse-Bottazzi film projectors (1946-2007) at Douvaine. Philippe Piccot Museum open every Tuesday in July-August, 2:30-5:30 pm.

Funky Factory in Thonon: retro/modern arcade with cabinets, pinballs, race simulators and shooting games. Birthdays, stag/hen.

Haute-Savoie Firefighters Museum at Sciez: hand pumps, vehicles, uniforms 1900-2026. Adult €5, child €3.50. Domaine de Guidou.

Billiards club in Thonon-les-Bains: French/American tables, renovated venue, members' club atmosphere. Access and prices to confirm.

Small local museum in Sciez: fossil collections, Alpine geology, prehistory of the Lake Geneva shore. Open seasonally or by appointment.

Issue Secrète Anthy-sur-Léman: escape game near Thonon-les-Bains, themed 60 min rooms, 2-6 players, from age 10. Online booking.

Racket club in Thonon-les-Bains: padel, tennis, squash. Hourly court rental, lessons, tournaments. Online booking.

Frogs Rafting: raft, kayak and hydrospeed descents on the Dranse de Morzine. Qualified guides, beginner to sporty, from age 8-12.

Warmup Academy in Margencel: pro car and bike racing simulators (Direct Drive, triple screen), sessions and clinics.

Archery in Publier near Évian: coached intro sessions, regular classes, one-off sessions. Gear included, from age 8.