Founex: Sailing, Wine and Village History

Founex offers several points of interest to help you plan your trip: sailing at the harbour, wineries and historic landmarks. There are also opportunities to stay active and a natural area whose protection is important to the municipality. Which dates are of interest during your stay depends on whether you want to focus on an event, a tasting or a particular place.

Sailing, harbour and events

The Port de Founex is open to the public and has seven visitor berths. Access and berth availability may change. The harbour hosts the Régate des châteaux every year in mid-August; the exact dates may vary.

The Club Nautique de Founex also runs sailing camps for children and young people aged 6 to 18 at the port during the summer school holidays. Dates and availability may change. The club also offers preparatory courses for sailing and/or motorboat licences; enrolment requirements may also change.

The regatta and youth camps take place at different times: the Régate des châteaux is held in mid-August, while the camps run during the summer school holidays. Another event in village life is the Fête au Village, organised every two years by local associations. The date and programme may change.

Wine growing and tastings

Several wineries give wine growing in Founex a tangible presence. Domaine de la Treille et de la Doye has a 19th-century tasting cellar in the centre. In the hamlet of Châtaigneriaz, Domaine des Biolles continues the Debluë family's wine-growing tradition across generations. Tastings are offered in the Caveau or Carnotzet.

Domaine Debluë offers winery tours and tastings. Tastings are available on site at Domaine du Petit-Truet, where bottle labels can also be customised. Check the arrangements for visits in advance. Domaine Les Fancous also offers a distinctive setting: its renovated chai and cosy Carnotzet provide space for wine tastings and conversation. Visiting arrangements may change.

At Cave la Grappe d’Or, the distinctive features of Founex’s terroir are taken into account and highlighted in the winemaking process.

History and village life

The Church of St-Robert was built in 1898 as a replica of the church in Moudon. Three stained-glass windows in the choir were made by the Paris-based Maison Chabin. The church hosts the Chapelet de la Miséricorde Divine, Ste Faustine at 3 pm on the first Friday of every month. Check the dates before your trip.

The church is set in a large park on Lake Geneva, with several centuries-old trees. Founex’s three fountains are also gathering places for socialising and meeting others. They were built a few years after the village’s first inn opened in 1739. A railway stop was established in Founex in 1853, improving the village’s connections with the surrounding area at the time.

Nature and activities

The Forêt de Gachet is a rare biotope. For the 2021–2026 legislative period, the municipality identified its protection, maintenance and enhancement as a biodiversity priority. This gives the forest a different character from the activities centred on the harbour and wine growing.

The renovated section of the RC 1 between Mies and Founex includes a continuous path for pedestrians and cyclists on both sides of the road. Conditions along the route may temporarily change. The Piscine des Rojalets offers aquabike, aquafitness and aquagym, as well as swimming lessons, activities for pregnant women and baby swimming classes.

Discover more destinations: Gland Vd, Bogis-Bossey, Perroy Vd, Borex, Prangins, Essertines-Sur-Rolle, Coinsins, Coppet.

For the broader travel overview: Nyon.