Marin: Winegrowing, Trails and Heritage

Marin offers a variety of things to explore during your stay: circular trails through forests and vineyards, insights into winegrowing, and historic churches and chapels.

Forests, Trails and Geological Formations

The Forêt de Marin comprises diverse deciduous forests as well as Scots pines and spruces. It offers views of Lake Geneva and is also home to protected animal and plant species.

Circular trail No. 2, “Le bois des pins,” is 5.2 kilometres long; the stated walking time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. It leads to the geological formations known as “demoiselles coiffées.” Erosion shaped them above Marin’s communal forest on the banks of the Dranse. This trail therefore gives you both a specific distance and a walking time to help plan your visit. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Circular trail No. 3, “Les moulins du Maravant,” leads to the remains of mills hidden in a valley. They can be seen along the route. This gives the trail a different focus from circular trail No. 2: historical traces rather than geological formations.

The Tour des Vignes de Marin passes through forests, vineyards and meadows. It offers varied landscapes and views of the Dranse Valley, Dent d'Oche and Lake Geneva; visibility depends on the weather. Unlike the circular trails, which each have a particular destination, this route focuses on several landscape types and the views.

Winegrowing and Visitor Experiences

Domaine Delalex is a 9-hectare family-run winegrowing estate in Marin. It mainly produces a dry, fruity white wine from the Chasselas grape variety. Wine tastings are offered at Domaine Delalex, where winegrowing methods are also presented. Product and visitor details may change. Check them if you are planning a specific visit.

In summer, the Guides du Patrimoine Savoie Mont-Blanc offer discovery tours of Marin’s landscape and terroir, including its winegrowing area. The tours are seasonal; check the dates before your trip if you would like to plan a guided tour.

Churches and History

The Chapelle Saint-Etienne de Marin is located in Marin. Its main construction phases date from the 12th and 13th centuries; it was listed as a historic monument by decree dated 5 June 1941. The Église de Marin houses an ornately carved 14th-century baptismal font. These are two distinct historical points of interest: the chapel’s construction history and an elaborately crafted object in the church.

The pilgrimage to Sainte Anne, held every year on 26 July, is associated with the Église de Marin. The specific arrangements may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around this date, check the details in advance.

Getting Here and Finding a Hotel

Thonon-les-Bains station is listed as the arrival point for TGV travel. Check timetables for your travel dates and include the onward journey to Marin in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Bogève, Thônes, Loisin, Brens, Villy-Le-Pelloux, Chevenoz, Douvaine, Morzine.

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Savoie.