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. Nestled between Switzerland and France, this natural gem combines the assets of a seaside resort with a grandiose mountain landscape. A crescent-shaped link, also known as Lac de Genève, Lake Geneva is a veritable inland sea, unique in Europe.

Discover Lake Geneva

Discovering Lake Geneva

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

The largest Alpine lake, its dimensions are spectacular: some 72.8 km long and with a surface area of 582 km², Lake Geneva has a water volume 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 right through the middle of the lake. The waters of Lake Geneva can range from 4 to 25°C at the surface, depending on the time of year, and the panorama is ever-changing and grandiose in every season. An ideal place for bathing and leisure activities, Lake Geneva supplies drinking water to over 500,000 people in France and Switzerland.

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

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Things are moving on the lake

The fresh waters of Lake Geneva are ideal for swimming, with numerous beaches and lush green parks lining the shores. And let’s not forget the Pavillon Bleu label, a guarantee of water and beach quality awarded to four of the region’s sites: Évian’s Place du Centre Nautique, the municipal beach at Amphion-les-Bains in Publier, Neuvecelle and the municipal beach at Saint-Gingolph.

A wide range of water sports are 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 with a stand-up paddle, or let yourself be guided on one of the Léman 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, notably in the Abondance valley, and flows into Lake Geneva, forming a delta that 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 veritable red thread running through the region, offering a wealth of water-based activities, from lake activities to white-water sports.

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