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

The first stage of the GRP Litorral du Léman takes you from Saint Gingolph to Meilleirie. Initially along the lakeshore, you’ll then take to the heights to admire the view of Lake Geneva.

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

On this short first stage, retrace the history of these coastal towns: the route takes you not far from the old Meillerie quarries, exploited since the 19th century, whose stones shaped the Palais des Nations and the Geneva-Cornavin railway station. On the foothills of the Mémises mountain, you’ll pass through the hamlets of Locum and Les Plantés. This stretch through 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.

End your first stage at the Meillerie landing stage.

This second stage of the GRP Littoral du Léman takes you from the Débarcadère de la Meillerie to Evian-les-Bains. Higher up than the first stage, the view of the lake will delight you. Take the opportunity to discover the thermal baths of this seaside 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, faunistic and floristic 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, finches, buzzards, kites, sparrow hawks, falcons, woodpeckers, owls and the park’s emblem, the heron.

Once in Evian, take time to stroll through the town and along the lake to discover the wealth of this spa town.

This third stage of the GRP Littoral du Léman takes you from Evian-les-Bains to Champanges. The first part follows the same itinerary 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 continue your hike towards Larringes and Champanges.

You’ll pass through fields and villages until you reach the Château de Larringes. Château de Larringes is an ancient stronghold built on 10th-century Roman ruins and 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 veritable strategic point for defending the territory.

The château takes the form of a quadrangular enclosure. Only admirable from the outside, it is now privately owned.

This fourth stage of the GRP Littoral du Léman takes you from Champanges to Thonon-les-Bains. Along the banks of the Dranse, then along a rural path to the Parc de la Chataigneraie, you’ll then follow the shores of Lake Geneva to the center of Thonon-les-Bains.

Departing from Champanges, this stage takes you first to the Domaine de Ripaille, with a section on 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 through the Middle Ages to the present day, Ripaille has always been a place where residents and visitors alike come to recharge their batteries. Today, the estate belongs to the Necker-Engel family, descendants of Louis XVI’s Minister of Finance. Tours last 1h30 and cost €10.

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