Around Lake Geneva
If you love a two-wheeled adventure, grab your bicycle and hop on board one of our TGV Lyria trains. Once you get to Geneva, get in the saddle and head off on a ride around Lake Geneva. Seasoned cyclists will manage it in one day, but if you prefer to make the most of the stunning natural surroundings, you can spend a few nights by the lake, either staying at a campsite or in a hotel. It’s really easy to ride around the lake. Just start from Geneva and follow the cycle path. You’ll begin your journey in Switzerland, then ride through Haute-Savoie in France, close to the Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark, and through the Ain region before heading back into Switzerland, from Montreux to Lausanne in the canton of Vaud, before arriving back in Geneva. If you’re not tackling the full circuit in one day, why not stop off in France at the Château de Ripaille castle and explore the wine estate? Get back on track the next day and visit Montreux, then complete the last leg of the journey from Montreux to Geneva. Get ready to pedal! Remember that this particular cycle route doesn’t always follow the perimeter of Lake Geneva. You’ll need to be a reasonably confident cyclist to enjoy a carefree ride along the path.
A trip into the Jura mountains
You might already know this, but beyond the Swiss Alps, close to Geneva, you’ll find the famous Jura mountains. If this is somewhere you’d like to explore, doing so couldn’t be any easier. Follow the Chemin des Crêtes (‘the Ridge Path’), which extends from Geneva to Zurich. You can cover the complete route over the course of a few days, or just tackle part of it for a day. You’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views over the Alps, the Vosges and the Black Forest. Along the way, you’ll see lakes, caves, grasslands and forests, with ever-changing landscapes at every turn. Grab your rucksacks for the train journey and set off along this well-known path.
Take a boat trip across Lake Geneva to Yvoire
Do you fancy travelling back in time? Head to Quai du Mont Blanc in Geneva at 10.45 am for a cruise on the lake to Yvoire – a French medieval village. As well as simply enjoying the sounds of the lake gently lapping against the boat, you’ll also get to discover the charming village of Yvoire when you disembark. Your first task will be finding somewhere to eat. Just like in Geneva, here you’ll find lake specialities such as perch fillets. Choose whichever restaurant takes your fancy for lunch, and even squeeze in dessert if you’d like, then go for a wander around the village. This tiny place simply oozes charm. Take a stroll around the Jardins des cinq sens (‘Garden of the Five Senses’) for a botanical voyage of discovery. Grab a photo of the castle, then enjoy a dip in the lake. Still feeling peckish? How about an afternoon treat? You’ll find many ice cream shops offering homemade, indulgent and delectable treats. To round off your visit before heading back to Geneva, why not enjoy a drink by the lakeside or pop into the craft workshops that still have a prominent presence in the medieval village? But don’t forget: your return boat leaves at 6.25 pm! Off you go, back to Geneva.
A trip to Gruyères (at long last!)
Any self-respecting foodie is likely to have a healthy supply of cheese in their fridge. So it’s high time you took a trip to Gruyères, where the magic happens! Gruyères is just an hour and a half from Geneva, even though it’s located in the east of Switzerland. Pretty quick, huh? You’ll find yourself in the medieval part of Switzerland. With its cobbled streets, fountains, cast-iron signs and gothic houses, you’ll be transported eight centuries back in time. Get your dose of history by visiting the beautifully preserved castle. And to round off your day, head to the Maison du Gruyères cheese factory. After following the process from preparation to maturation, stop and taste this famous cheese. If you often buy your Gruyère cheese from a supermarket, you’ll see that this is quite different! Then head back to Geneva with a fabulous chunk of cheese in your bag.
Head down the Rhône from Geneva in an inflatable ring
Now here’s an unusual activity – floating down the River Rhône in an inflatable ring. Not sure? Well, locals on both sides of the border just love this unique activity that gives a whole new meaning to the idea of exploration. Head to the Barrage-du-Seujet dam armed with an inflatable ring (you’ll need to bring your own). Make yourself comfortable in the ring and weave your way through the swimmers before crossing the Arve tributary and staying on the River Rhône. Take some time to read up on the route so you can avoid any hazards. Give yourself at least an hour and a half to complete the trip, or four hours if you just want to go with the flow of the river. Once you reach the end, you have a couple of options. You can head back to Geneva by bus or stop off on the beach for drinks with friends and a dip in the river.
Geneva has endless possibilities. In just a few hours or even a few minutes, you can make the most of the nature and history around you with some fantastic activities. Geneva is so much more than just a place to go on a city break. See where your trip here takes you!