Around Lake Geneva

On a boat trip to Évian-les-Bains, the change of perspective the section on the French side of Lake Geneva brings with it are quite striking – now the hills of the Jura chain salute you from the other side of the lake. There are countless opportunities for swimming on the banks of the lake in Haute-Savoie, too. The destination of today’s ride is the medieval town of Yvoire.

Picturesque harbours and charming villages await you as you ride back towards the Swiss border. You’ll pass the village of Hermance shortly after entering Switzerland. Then, it’s in Cologny where you’ll catch your first glimpses of the Jet d’Eau, Geneva’s famous landmark.

This tour actually takes you away from the big city and back towards the French border as you follow the course of the Rhône and explore vineyards and some charming little villages that are off the beaten track. The canton of Geneva is Switzerland’s third largest wine producer, so why not seize this opportunity to sample a glass of fine wine, too?

As you ride along the Jura mountain range, high above the shores of Lake Geneva, you soon leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind you. The side roads you’ll be riding on are hardly used and magnificent views of the lake and the peaks of the Mont Blanc massif will open up before you. You’ll spend the night either in Nyon or in the neighbouring village of Prangins. In both stage towns, you’ll find stunning Swiss Châteaux that are well worth a visit.

You’ll be staying on the shores of Lake Geneva today, with stately homes and well-tended beaches to look forward to. After lunch, the route climbs gently and leads into the vineyards. Shortly after you pass the market town of Morges is when you’ll reach Lausanne promenade. The city is the seat of the Olympic Committee and has a large number of well-developed sports facilities, as well as a museum on Olympic history that’s well worth a visit.

A special treat awaits you at the end of the tour. Traditional dry stone walls, countless wine cellars and fantastic views make the ride through the Lavaux vineyards one of the most beautiful cycling tours to be experienced in Switzerland. The tour then continues along the shores of Lake Geneva, via Vevey, to Montreux. If you wish, you can extend the tour all the way to Château de Chillon.