Lake Geneva - South Bank (mainly in France)

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South Bank (mainly in France) Description

Leave Geneva on road 37, which skirts the Parc des Eaux-Vives and passes below the hill of Cologny to Vésenaz, from which the main road to Thonon continues in long straight stretches through attractive rolling country, with the Yvoire peninsula to the left.

Beyond Corsier (a former Roman settlement), to the left of the road, the Swiss-French frontier is crossed (Swiss passport control). Then on N 5 through a customs-free zone to Douvaine (alt. 429 m/1,408ft: French frontier control).

The road continues below the vine-clad Mont de Boisy (735 m/2,412ft; on right) and in 5km/3mi reaches Sciez (408 m/1,339ft), where the lakeside road via Yvoire comes in on the left. Beyond Jussy, on a hill to the right of the road, is the

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village of Les Allinges, with two ruined castles and a pilgrimage chapel (beautiful view). 10km/6mi beyond Sciez is Thonon-les-Bains (427 m/1,401ft; pop. 22,000), beautifully situated on the slopes above the lake (carbonated springs).

Beyond Thonon N 5 cuts across the delta of the Dranse. Interesting detour (2.5km/2mi) to the 15th C. castle of Ripaille, on the lake, where Duke Amadeus VIII of Savoy lived as a hermit before his election as Pope (Felix V, 1439-49). 2.5km/2mi beyond Thonon on N 5 is Vongy, where the road from Ripaille joins the main road which then crosses the Dranse and continues to Amphion, on the shores of the lake.

6.5km/4miles from Vongy is Evian-les Bains (374 m/1,227ft; pop. 6,000), a fashionable resort in a beautiful situation on the shores of the lake (alkaline thermal springs). On the broad Quai Baron-de-Blonay is the spa establishment. From here a funicular ascends to a terrace above the lake, on which are the Pump room and the large hotels.

From Evian to St-Gingolph the road keeps close to the lake. It traverses Grande-Rive and Petite-Rive, on the outskirts of Evian, and at the Château de Blonay (16th C.) passes under the defensive walls. The hills alongside the lake now become steeper and higher; to the right is the Dent d'Oche (2,225 m/7,300ft: from Evian by road to Bernex, 14km/9mi, then 4.5 hours' climb with guide).

The road then comes to Meillerie (386 m/1,266ft), a picturesque fishing village in a magnificent situation, with large limestone quarries. Beyond this, on the right, are the steep slopes of Mont Chalon (1,058 m/ 3,471ft); to the left is a superb view across the Lake to Vevey and Montreux, with the villages and villas on the slopes above, and of the peaks of the Vaudois Alps (Pléiades, Dent de Jaman, Rochers de Naye); to the right, on the shores of the lake, is Chillon castle.

At Le Locum is the French frontier control. The road now crosses a customs-free zone at the foot of the Pic de Blanchard (1,472 m/4,830ft) and comes to St-Gingolph (391 m/1,283ft), a picturesque little town straddling the River Morge, here flowing through a deep gorge, which marks the French-Swiss frontier (Swiss passport and customs control).

Hobbies & Activities category: Castle, chateau, palace; Region, quarter of a major city; Resort or relaxation spot; Scenic site or route; Health spa; Sports activity or museum