Discover Le Léman

The largest lake in Western Europe, with its crystal-clear waters, shores dotted with historic towns and majestic mountains in the background, Lake Geneva offers a majestic backdrop. Nestling between Switzerland and France, this natural jewel combines the assets of a seaside resort with an imposing mountain landscape. The crescent-shaped link between the two, also known as Lake Geneva, is a veritable inland sea that is unique in Europe.

A lake of glacial origin where it's good to fish

Lake Geneva was formed by the gradual retreat of the Rhône glacier after the last Ice Age, almost 16,000 years ago.

It is the largest Alpine lake, with spectacular dimensions: some 72.8 km long and covering 582 km², Lake Geneva holds a volume of water of 89 billion m3.

Divided on the Swiss side between the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Valais and Haute-Savoie on the French side, the border runs through the middle of the lake. The surface temperature of Lake Geneva can range from 4 to 25°C, depending on the time of year, and the panorama is ever-changing and breathtaking at any time of year. A favourite place for bathing and leisure activities, Lake Geneva supplies drinking water to more than 500,000 people in France and Switzerland.

The lake is also an ideal place for fishing or simply enjoying fresh fish on a waterside terrace.

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Things are happening on the lake

The fresh waters of Lake Geneva are ideal for swimming, and there are numerous beaches and green parks along the banks. And don’t forget the Blue Flag label, a guarantee of the quality of the water and beaches awarded to four of the region’s sites: the place du Centre Nautique in Évian, the municipal beach at Amphion-les-Bains in Publier, the beach at Neuvecelle and the municipal beach at Saint-Gingolph.

There are plenty of water sports available on Lake Geneva, from sailing to scuba diving, so make the most of your stay to discover these activities. Navigate the lake on your own using a stand-up paddle or let yourself be guided on the Lake Geneva boats.

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The water cycle

Lake Geneva has many tributaries, including the Rhône, the largest, which alone accounts for 75% of the inflow, and the Dranse. The Dranse is the result of three mountain rivers, particularly in the Abondance valley, and flows into Lake Geneva forming a delta, which is home to the Dranse Delta nature reserve at Publier.

The water cycle is perfectly represented here: from the drop of water in Publier that evaporates from Lake Geneva to condense in the clouds and fall as snowflakes on the heights of the Cornettes de Bise, before melting and joining the Dranse d’Abondance, which serves the lake. Leman Mountains Explore is a real red thread running through the region, and you can discover all the water-based activities on offer, from lake activities to white-water sports.

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