Visiting Lake Geneva: what to do and what to see?

Lake Geneva is a real natural jewel that many visitors decide to discover every year. A veritable inland sea, it is a magnificent site bordered on one side by France and on the other by Switzerland. There are regular bus services between the two countries via the lake. At the same time, there are plenty of things to see and do on and around the site. If you’re dreaming of discovering this emblematic place, you’ve come to the right page! Here’s everything you need to know about what there is to see and do on Lake Geneva.

Lac Léman in a nutshell

Lake Geneva is a natural lake located in Haute-Savoie. At 581 km², it is also the largest lake in the Alps. A veritable inland sea, it is fed mainly by melting glaciers in the Valais. Lake Geneva also lies on the banks of the Rhône, which it helps to supply with water. Interestingly, the level of the lake is regulated at Geneva, as are Lac du Bourget and Lac d’Annecy.

Because of its size and geographical position, Lake Geneva is surrounded by numerous towns and villages whose names you will probably recognise. These include: Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Vevey, Nyon, Thonon-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains. On the Swiss side, the shores of the lake are so sublime that they are nicknamed the “Swiss Riviera”.

Lac Léman is also highly urbanised, with many residential areas. However, a number of nature reserves help to preserve the lake’s flora and fauna, while at the same time helping to make it a veritable jewel in the crown.

What activities are available on Lac Léman?

Lake Geneva is such an ideal holiday destination because there are so many activities on offer to suit all types of traveller.

As well as the cruises you can enjoy on the lake, you can also take part in a wide range of leisure activities on its shores. These include sailing, canoeing, water-skiing, paddle-boarding and wakeboarding. The region around Lake Geneva is equally rich in activities. There’s cycling, hiking, zip-lining and even paragliding.

In fine weather, some of the shores of Lake Geneva are transformed into beaches ideal for swimming and enjoying the crystal-clear waters and exceptional setting. This is particularly true of Excenevex, which has the only natural sandy beach on the lake. The surrounding area also contributes to the beach atmosphere, with dunes, parasols and even street vendors selling doughnuts.

If you’re travelling with children, you can spend a day at Vitam Parc in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, on the French side of the lake. This is a large water park renowned for offering a truly extraordinary experience to its visitors. Another idea for a family activity is the Aigles du Léman, a beautiful animal park well worth a visit.

Last but not least, hiking enthusiasts are sure to enjoy Lake Geneva and the surrounding area. There are many walks starting from the lake or nearby. These include the coastal GRP trail, the ascent of the Dent d’Oche, the Pic des Mémises and Mont Baron.

Good to know: if you want to explore the region around Lac Lémana little further , you can organise excursions to the Swiss Valais, Lausanne, Annecy, Megève and Chamonix, for example.

What should you see around Lac Léman?

There are plenty of places to discover around Lake Geneva. Tourists who decide to explore this corner of France and Switzerland have plenty of options for enriching their days of sightseeing and discovery. Here are just a few examples.

1. French side

Thonon-les-Bains and Evian

Thonon-les-Bains and Evian are two spa towns to discover around Lake Geneva. Both towns have a special atmosphere and can be essential stops on a trip around the famous lake. Both their architecture and the atmosphere that reigns there will provide you with special moments during your trip.

Bernex, Abondance, Morzine and Thollon-les-Mémises

If you fancy taking a step up to admire Lake Geneva from a different vantage point, there are a number of mountain villages just a stone’s throw from the lake. Each has its own identity and all are great stops on a trip around Lake Geneva.

Yvoire

Yvoire is a beautiful village, and one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Although it is not a seaside village, it has a seaside resort atmosphere. In fact, if you enjoy this type of atmosphere, don’t hesitate to visit Nernier, just a few kilometres from Yvoire.

Swiss side

On the Swiss side, there’s no shortage of options for discovering the region. These include the beautiful Château de Chillon and the towns of Montreux, Geneva and Lausanne. The area around Lake Geneva also boasts a vast vineyard classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The famous Lavaux vineyards are well worth a visit.

In conclusion:

If you’re planning to head to Switzerland, or even Haute-Savoie on the French side, for your next trip, take the opportunity to discover Lac Léman! This magical place has so much to offer, and you now have all the information you need to make sure you don’t miss a thing. So go ahead and start planning your holiday now. Whether it’s transport, hotels or activities, with the right preparation you’ll be able to make the most of your stay once you’ve put your bags down.