GRP Littoral du Léman on foot - Stage 7: Yvoire > Chens sur Léman

A former 14th-century stronghold and now a member of the association of France's Most Beautiful Villages, Yvoire bears its heritage with pride and elegance. Whatever the season, come and discover the treasures of this medieval town on the shores of Lake Geneva.Once a fishing village on the shores of Lake Geneva, this medieval town is now a must-see tourist attraction. Valuable 14th-century remains remain: gates, ramparts, castle, square tower... You'll also notice the splendid gleaming bulbous bell tower of Saint Pancrace church. To the delight of visitors, the medieval town can be visited on foot. Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets and discover Yvoire's pretty stone houses and two harbors. Throughout your visit, you'll enjoy beautiful views over the lake. You'll also have the pleasure of finding the Jardin des Cinq Sens, inspired by the poetic atmosphere of the labyrinths of the Middle Ages. Several intimate gardens with evocative names invite you to awaken your senses and discover new things: the garden of taste, smell, touch... On the lake side, depending on the season, you can enjoy a variety of activities: - guided cruises aboard the Odina, Lake Geneva's first hybrid passenger boat - theme cruises or lake tours with Compagnie Générale de Navigation - wake sessions, towed buoys, apéro boat, private cruises... - a small beach in Yvoire to cool off on during your visit You'll find plenty of boutiques, designers, galleries, restaurants, hotels and self-catering accommodation on site. The village is freely accessible all year round. If you'd like to take your visit a little further, both are a 20-minute walk from the medieval town: - Nernier, the pearl of Lake Geneva, a pretty village of colorful houses with poets' phrases inscribed in the stone. For a romantic lakeside getaway. - Domaine de Rovorée - La Châtaignière, a large natural walking area accessible from the voie verte. Forest with tall trees, paths along the lake, remains of an ancient medieval town and beautiful panoramic views.

A picturesque village of colorful houses on the shores of Lake Geneva, lined with frescoes and poems inscribed in stone, Nernier pays tribute to the major Romantic authors of the 19th century.The site of Nernier was a pre-historic lakeside town that became a village in Roman times. Grapes and wheat were grown here. In the Middle Ages, the town was besieged and taken by Bernese troops. The town's bell tower was built in the 18th century. The port was built at the end of the 19th century, under Napoleon III. Over the last few centuries, the village has been a major tanner of hides, a fisherman and a smuggler with Switzerland. The village is a very romantic place, with its molasse and quicklime houses, hollyhocks and climbing vines. Some of the arched houses open directly onto the lake. The marina can accommodate 250 boats, including the Calypso, a 1911 sailing ship owned by the Amerami association and listed as a historic monument in 1991. La Licorne offers pleasant walks on the lake. A romantic path links the village entrance to the port and the château. Lined with frescoes and poems set in stone, it pays homage to the major Romantic authors of the 19th century, including Lamartine, Shelley and Byron, who left their mark on our collective memory. Mary Shelley, inspired by the lake, wrote several pages of her famous novel Frankenstein during a stay in Nernier. In the 1950s, enlightened enthusiasts developed Nernier as a "Village of Painters", led by Enrico Vegetti, a Piedmontese painter who lived in Nernier for almost 50 years, painting its charms. Today, the commune perpetuates this tradition with the Musée du Lac and its renowned painting school, the potter whose work has a clear regional impact, the Intermezzo music school which welcomes students from all over the region, and numerous exhibitions at the Ferme d'Antioche, a heritage site saved by the commune. And for gourmets, restaurants and bars line the village streets.

The campsite between lake and mountains welcomes you for unforgettable family vacations. Cosy chalets, mobile homes, spacious pitches, swimming pool, bar-restaurant and summer entertainment. Everything you need for a peaceful and enchanting nature holiday!Located in Messery, on the Lake Geneva peninsula, the Relais du Léman 3* boasts a bucolic atmosphere where serenity and calm reign supreme. It focuses on the comfort and well-being of its guests in its beautiful oak park. Lovers of nature and wide open spaces will feel right at home. The campsite has a playground, a multisport field, a swimming pool and a snack bar. Various activities are organized in summer, including sports tournaments, creative workshops and aquagym. 2 sunny, free beaches nearby, accessible on foot, by bike or by car. Ideally located 6 km from the Swiss border, between Geneva and Thonon les Bains, the campsite adjoins the pretty medieval village of Yvoire, classified as one of France's most beautiful villages.

Collection of contemporary art and antique tools in a characteristic barn of Savoyard architecture. Fun route for children.It also features over a thousand antique tools, sometimes of forgotten use, wisely grouped according to the different trades. The result is a dialogue between art and tools through the ages, contributing to the magic of the place, and a playful journey for children.