GRP Littoral du Léman: how to start your long-distance tour?

The first stage of the GRP Litorral du Léman will take you from Saint Gingolph to Meilleirie. Initially, you’ll walk along the shores of the lake, before climbing higher to admire the view over Lake Geneva.

Departing from the Franco-Swiss village of Saint-Gingolph, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the bacounis, the boatmen on the shores of Lake Geneva who gave their name to this ancient towpath along the banks of the lake.

On this short first stage, retrace the history of these coastal towns: the route takes you not far from the old Meillerie quarries, exploited from the 19th century onwards, whose stones shaped the Palais des Nations and Geneva-Cornavin station. On the foothills of the Mémises mountain, you will pass through the hamlets of Locum and Les Plantés. This stretch through the heart of the Bois des Grandes Feuillasses takes you under the imposing Rochers du Balairon to the beautiful panorama of La Fauconière: Meillerie and Lake Geneva stretch out before your eyes.

Finish your first stage at the Meillerie landing stage.

This second stage of the GRP Littoral du Léman will take you from the Débarcadère de la Meillerie to Evian-les-Bains. Higher up than the first stage, the view over the lake will delight you. Take the opportunity to discover the thermal baths of this coastal town.

Leaving from the Débarcadère de la Meillerie, you’ll climb straight to the top for the first half of the stage, which is mainly woodland, ideal on a hot summer’s day.

You’ll then pass through the Parc de Neuvecelle, a 5-hectare natural area of ecological, fauna and flora interest. Here you’ll find a pond and various themed gardens. Located on the migratory route of birds, the park is home to many species, including chickadees, chaffinches, buzzards, kites, sparrowhawks, falcons, woodpeckers, owls and the heron, the park’s emblem.

When you arrive in Evian, take time to stroll around the town and along the lake to discover the wealth of this spa town.

This third stage of the GRP Littoral du Léman will take you from Evian-les-Bains to Champanges. The first part follows the same route as the previous stage before continuing on to Larringes and its château.

After reaching the Parc de Neuvecelle, a 5-hectare park located in a Natural Zone of Ecological, Faunistic and Floristic Interest, you will continue your walk towards Larringes and Champanges.

You will pass through fields and villages until you reach the château de Larringes. Château de Larringes is an ancient stronghold built on ancient Roman ruins dating back to the 10th century, which was rebuilt in the 14th century by Rodolphe de Larringes, Seigneur de Coudrée.

Offering a breathtaking view of the Bernese Alps, Fort l’Écluse, the Jura Mountains and Mont Blanc over a radius of more than 100 km, its geographical location made it a truly strategic point for defending the territory.

The castle takes the form of a quadrangular enclosure. Only admirable from the outside, it now belongs to a private owner.

This fourth stage of the GRP Littoral du Léman will take you from Champanges to Thonon-les-Bains. Along the banks of the Dranse, then along a country lane to the Parc de la Chataigneraie, you will then walk along the shores of Lake Geneva to the centre of Thonon-les-Bains.

Leaving Champanges, this stage will first take you to the Domaine de Ripaille, with a section along the banks of the Dranse. With a history dating back 3,000 years, this estate is a worthy representative of the region’s history.

From Gallo-Roman times to the Middle Ages, right up to the present day, Ripaille has always been a place where residents and visitors come to recharge their batteries. The estate now belongs to the Necker-Engel family, descendants of Louis XVI’s finance minister. Tours of 1? hours are available for €10.

You will then walk along the lake to reach the centre of Thonon-les-Bains. A spa town par excellence, take the opportunity to relax and recharge your batteries after completing your 4th stage.