This website uses affiliate links thanks to which we may earn a commission for purchases you made at no additional cost to you. If you like the content, consider using those links to support us. Thank you!
Lake Geneva… What a spectacular place! During our 7-week stay in Thonon-Les-Bains, we were lucky to live really close to its shores and enjoy it every day from our terrace. To this day we remember waking up to the spectacular views and admiring lovely sunsets in the evenings. Lake Geneva’s surroundings are full of amazing places. You’ll find countless breathtaking landscapes and many charming small towns. Stay with us, we’ll show you our subjective ranking of the best places to visit around Lake Geneva in both Switzerland & France.
Few words about Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva, or Lac Leman in French, is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe, shared between Switzerland (60%) and France (40%). It’s 73km long, 15km wide, 310m at the deepest point, and has 156 kilometers of shoreline.
Lake Geneva is located in a really captivating place, offering really spectacular views on both sides. It’s really hard to say which part of Lake Geneva is the best – both are amazing! We were delighted by both sides, but can’t deny that we find views from Vevey or Lausanne the best.
Lake is also a paradise for water sports enthusiasts – sailing, kayaking, kayak-rafting, paddleboarding, canoeing, water skiing, or just swimming – it’s all there. Even without a license, there’s a possibility to rent a small boat if you would like to try that.
Ok, it’s finally time for us to share with you our ranking of the best places to visit around Lake Geneva in Switzerland & France. Ready? Let’s go!
6 Best Places To Visit Around Lake Geneva In Switzerland & France
Lake Geneva’s surroundings are full of amazing places – you’ll find countless breathtaking landscapes and many charming small towns. We visited many places on both northern shores in Switzerland, as well as southern shores in France when staying in Thonon.
Best places on the northern shore of Lake Geneva in Switzerland
Vevey
Vevey is a charming little town that stole our hearts and left us speechless. We can say with full conviction that this is our number 1 place around Lake Geneva. Along the waterfront, there is a long promenade perfect for relaxing strolls, doing sports, or just sitting on a bench. All of these with unearthly and unforgettable views of the Alps. Besides that, Vevey also offers a charming old town filled with colorful buildings and streets full of small shops, art galleries, restaurants, and hotels.
Lausanne
Lausanne is another great place to visit around Lake Geneva. It surprised us with its beauty and with one of the most stunning views over the Alps we’ve seen so far. But those amazing views aren’t the only thing that Lausanne has to offer. There’s Old Town full of charming streets with old buildings and many cozy restaurants. There are also museums perfect for art lovers, and an Olympic Museum which is a real treat for sports fans.
Learn more: One Day In Lausanne, Switzerland – 15+ Best Things To Do
Geneva
You can’t help but visit Geneva while spending time around Lake Geneva. This Swiss city is best known for its wealth, banking, diplomacy, watchmaking, CERN, luxury shops, pretty landscapes, and spectacular water jet. Geneva is recognized as one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in as well as one of the wealthiest cities in the world. The city has a lot to offer to its visitors so you can be sure that you won’t get bored there.
Learn more: How To Spend One Day In Geneva, Switzerland? 15+ Best Things To Do
Best places on the southern shore of Lake Geneva in France
Evian-Les Bains
Evian-Les-Bains, or simply Evian, is a small and elegant spa town. The town undeniably is most famous for its Evian mineral water, which can be bought in stores in most countries around the world. A scenic location, close proximity to the Alps, thermal baths, many water sports opportunities, a long lakeside promenade, and a lovely colorful old town – all of that will guarantee that you’ll have an amazing, relaxing time there.
Learn more: 10+ Things To Do In Evian-Les-Bains, France
Yvoire
Yvoire is a picturesque medieval village that will transport you back in time hundreds of years. Despite the fact that the village is more than 700 years old, it preserved its medieval vibe with stone houses and wooden balconies brightly decorated with colorful flowers. Yvoire is also recognized as one of France’s most beautiful villages (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France).
Learn more: 7 Best Things To Do In Yvoire, Medieval Village In France
Thonon-Les-Bains
Thonon-Les-Bain, or just Thonon, is another small and delightful spa town on Lake Geneva shores. It was once the capital of the historical district of Chablais and now, thanks to its great lakeside location and close proximity to the Alps, it’s a popular destination both in summer and winter. Thonon Les Bains is also one of the municipalities belonging to the Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark, a remarkable natural area, between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc.
Learn more: 10+ Things To Do In Thonon-Les-Bains, France
More great places to visit around Lake Geneva
If you are hungry for more you can also check places like:
- Chillon Castle
- Montreux
- Nyon
You can also take a scenic ride around Lake Geneva and stop wherever you feel like. You can do it by bike (Tour du Lac Leman), or by car. Tour du Lac Leman has a distance of 177km, and should take you about 6-8h to complete. You can learn more about it here.
Best places around Lake Geneva in Switzerland & France – Summary
Amazing landscapes, crystal clear waters, charming towns… There are many beautiful places around Lake Geneva worth visiting but those 6 listed above are our favorites. We really enjoyed our time there and hope that you’ll enjoy it too. Have a great time & let us know which places are your favorites in the comments section below.
