Évian-Les-Bains on Lake Geneva

If you’re looking for a hotel in Évian-Les-Bains, the area’s local attractions offer a clear guide to choosing your destination: the lakeside landscape of Lake Geneva, the town’s thermal history and architecture, and activities on the lake. The water gardens of Pré Curieux, historic buildings and the water sports centre each offer a different focus for your stay.

Water gardens on the shores of Lake Geneva

The water gardens of Pré Curieux are located at the western entrance to Évian-Les-Bains, directly on the shores of Lake Geneva. They can only be reached by an electric-solar boat departing from the quays via the Ponton de l'Agrion on Quai Baron de Blonay. Keep this boat journey in mind when planning your visit.

An exhibition and a path through the park present aquatic ecosystems in the water gardens. These include ponds, streams, marshes, wet meadows and a delta. The exhibition and the path explore the subject in different ways: you can learn about the ecosystems on display and then encounter them along the park path.

A guided visit is available for families, designed to raise children’s awareness of the different elements of the ecosystem. The visit therefore combines a guided tour with an educational goal specifically aimed at children.

Thermal history and architecture

The Buvette Cachat was designed by Albert Hébrard in the Art Nouveau style. It is an important testament to the thermal history of Évian-Les-Bains and a significant heritage site. Once again open to the public, it is a place for passing through, discovering and meeting others. The supporting structure of its great hall is listed as a historic monument.

The Palais Lumière is located in a former thermal spa and now serves as a cultural and convention centre. Listed as a historic monument, it houses a media library and exhibition halls. The building thus brings together its former use as a thermal spa with its present-day cultural and convention functions.

The Maison Gribaldi dates from the Renaissance. Its architectural features include mullioned windows with curved lintels and a stone spiral staircase. The wooden gallery is also part of the building: it was faithfully restored during the restoration and extension work in 2013. These details give the building a distinct character within the town’s architectural history.

Source Cachat and thermal treatments

The Source Cachat, formerly the Fontaine Sainte Catherine, was built in 1903. It flows year-round at a constant temperature of 11.6 °C. As a mineral water source, it is considered the source of Évian-Les-Bains’ international renown. The connection to thermal treatments is also evident at Les Thermes evian, where the recognised natural and therapeutic properties of natural evian mineral water are used for specific treatments as part of thermal cures.

Water sports and funicular railway

The Évian water sports centre offers the chance to explore Lake Geneva through stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, scuba diving, sailing and freediving. Activities can be enjoyed independently or with an instructor. The centre therefore offers different ways to get out on the lake, rather than limiting your visit to a single sport.

The funicular railway connects the lakeside quays with visitor facilities such as the port, thermal spa and casino, as well as the large Splendide, Royal and Ermitage hotels. Along the way, it passes the Buvette Cachat. Part of Europe’s railway heritage, it is considered a rare example and is one of only three surviving classified funicular railways from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Discover more destinations: Vailly, Argonay, Saint-Félix, Seythenex, Chatel, Sallanches, Leschaux, Neydens.

Back to the regional travel guide: Haute-Savoie.