A city in Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva is a paradise for lovers of exquisite relaxation. Entertainment and recreation

The picturesque resort is well known and popular, because there are excellent conditions for interesting and active tourism in any season! Lake Geneva looks like a huge mirror, its waters are calm almost all day, they exactly reflect every tree standing at the water's edge. The lake was formed as a result of the retreat of the glacier, it is divided into two parts, Big, in the east, and Small, in the west. The Alps surround the southern and east coast reservoir, from where the picturesque peaks of Mont Blanc can be seen.

It is considered one of the most important natural values ​​in Switzerland, the largest body of water in the country, its depth reaches 310 meters. One of the unusual features of the lake is its crescent shape with horns facing south. Not far from the lake there are picturesque old villages, ancient castles, perfectly preserved to this day - dozens of excursions are regularly held here.

Lacus Lemanus - the first name of the lake, it was used during the Roman Empire, later the lake was called Lac de Geneva, and in the 18th century it received the French name Leman. A trip to Lake Geneva will give you not only the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful nature and clean mountain air, but also admire the ancient buildings and cultural monuments.

In the mid-60s of the 20th century, the pollution of this area reached such a high level that swimming in the lake was prohibited, and already in the 80s there were practically no fish left in the reservoir. Thanks to the efforts of local authorities and residents of the surrounding cities, the condition of Lake Geneva has improved significantly, today its water is safe for swimming again, and its coast is carefully kept in perfect cleanliness. Lake Geneva is considered one of the best European resorts ideal for a vacation at any time. Regardless of the season, there is always something to see here. Like all Swiss resorts, this lake is famous for its high quality service and comfort!

V summer months there is a beach season on Lake Geneva, the climate in this area is quite cool, so the water has time to warm up to a comfortable temperature only by July. The beach season lasts until early autumn. Any time of the year is suitable for excursions and sports tourism on Lake Geneva. Stunning scenery and a variety of leisure options await whenever you visit the resort.

It is located in the temperate continental climate zone. In the cold season, the air temperature varies from 0 to +10 degrees, the closer to the coast, the more windy. In summer, the air temperature reaches +25 degrees. The average water temperature in the summer months is +24 degrees. You can get to the shores of Lake Geneva by train from Zurich or Geneva. From the airports of these cities, a train regularly departs to Montreux, one of the settlements of the resort, the journey takes only one hour.

What to do on Lake Geneva.

1.From the Leman Quay pier, go to boat trip on the ship. Some ships sail quite far, for example, to Mary Shelley's estate, where the novelist wrote her famous work "Frankenstein".

2. Walk along the wonderful slopes that surround the lake, from where you can enjoy wonderful views of the emerald meadows and snow-white peaks of Mont Blanc.

3. Take a dip in the refreshing pond, the water here is always clean and calm, cool even in summer.

4. Dine at local restaurants - in cozy lakeside establishments, guests are treated to delicious desserts and good wine.

5. Take an excursion to Montreux, where one of the best palaces in Europe, Chillon Castle, is located. Once in this castle was the prison of Louis the Pious; there are many fascinating legends about this prison. Vladimir Nabokov liked to stay at the local hotel Montreux Palace - nowadays it is considered one of the most luxurious in the resort.

Most of the cities on the territory of which the resorts of Lake Geneva are located are interconnected by water communication. You can travel between towns and villages on comfortable ferries owned by Compagnie Génerale de navigation. The company was founded at the beginning of the last century, but regularly updates its ships, providing travelers with comfortable and safe travel. Another way to travel between resorts is by train, this type of transport is much faster and cheaper than a ferry. You can get around the towns and villages of the resort by bus, tram, minibus and taxi. Some Geneva hotels own shuttle buses, so they transport their guests for free.

On the territories of Lake Geneva there are hotels of different classes of service, for example, hotels in Montreux are very respectable and luxurious, wealthy tourists rest here. Lausanne hotels are most suitable for large companies, there are many entertainment facilities, sports and extreme entertainment... There are hotels in Geneva for all tastes, and there are also inexpensive hostels. While resting on Lake Geneva, shopping is worth going to Geneva, the largest number shops and boutiques are located on the left bank of the Rhone river.

Geneva has amazing antique and art shops where you can buy original souvenirs and unusual gifts. There is also a huge shopping district with a variety of branded boutiques. Conference Street has a gallery of boutiques of European brands and a number of excellent bookstores. Popular shopping malls there is also in Lausanne, for example, a favorite of tourists shopping center Laduree Lausanne with shoes, accessories, clothing, jewelry, antiques and perfume shops. As a souvenir from Switzerland, it is worth bringing chocolate and local cheeses. A more expensive, but valuable and high-quality gift - a folding knife, Swiss knives are durable and durable.

The restaurants and cafes of the Lake Geneva resort cannot be counted - there are hundreds of them. Swiss cuisine is famous for its exquisite dishes and elegant desserts, and it is customary to serve good wine with dishes. Swiss classic dishes have absorbed Italian, French and German gastronomic traditions. In almost every establishment you can taste delicious cheese fondue and raclette, a variety of pies with meat or fruit fillings, pape voda (leeks with sausage) or resti (hot potato dish). Switzerland loves desserts, the most popular of which are: sugar rolls, chocolates with different fillings, honey cakes, puff pastries and muffins.

Attractions of Lake Geneva.

The Geneva Museum of History and Art is one of the best museums in Switzerland and Western Europe; its grandiose collection contains about 650 thousand exhibits. The museum contains hundreds of great paintings, unique musical instruments, elegant sculptures and priceless archaeological artifacts of antiquity.

V old town Gruyeres worth a visit interesting museum Giger, dedicated to the work of a Swiss artist who worked in the style of fantastic realism. This museum was created by Giger himself; his first sketches made in ink, sculptures and canvases are kept here. The artist's work is rather dark, not everyone will like it, but if you are a fan of modern art and fiction, you should visit here!

The embankment of the city of Vevey stretches in length for almost 9 kilometers, from here open amazing landscapes Lake Geneva and the mountains, especially beautiful views can be seen at sunset. The town of Vevey itself is located in a mild climate zone, and high mountain slopes protect it from the wind. Performances and concerts are always held on the embankment, and national holidays are held.

Notre Dame Cathedral in Lausanne is one of the best Gothic monuments in Switzerland, it was founded in the second half of the 12th century. For a long time, the cathedral was the religious center of the region, annually receiving thousands of pilgrims. The luxurious structure is decorated with pointed towers and Gothic sculptures, elaborate bas-reliefs and huge stained glass windows of an oblong shape.

Aigle is the main wine attraction in the Chablis region and the first French-speaking settlement to join Switzerland in the 15th century. An amazing white wine is produced on the territory of the town. The city is tiny, only 9 thousand people live here. Egle's main value is the majestic Chateau d'Aigle, built in the 15th century.

- this is alluring beauty and tranquility, picturesque views, a variety of birds, beauty and purity of the water surface of a huge lake, tranquility and harmony, affordable prices and vivid impressions.

Lake Geneva, or Lake Leman as the French call it, is a lake in Switzerland and France, one of the largest lakes in Western Europe. 59.53% of its territory, which is equal to 345.31 km2, is under the jurisdiction of Switzerland (cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Wales), and 40.47%, or 234.71 km2 under France. The average elevation above sea level is 372 meters, the water level is controlled by the Dam in Geneva. Lake Geneva was formed by a retreating glacier and figuratively divided into the Big Lake in the east and the Small Lake in the west. Alps Chablais limit it South coast, the western Bernese Alps are located along its eastern side. High peaks Mont Blanc visible from some points.

It is one of the most outstanding natural attractions in Switzerland. The first registered name of the lake is Lacus Lemanus, which dates back to Roman times. After the rise of Geneva, the lake was named Lac de Geneve. In the 18th century, the name Lehman was revived in French, which is the common name for the French. In modern English, the name Lake Geneva prevails.


Lake Geneva is the largest body of water in Switzerland. One of its features is the crescent shape, with the horns pointing south. The northern coast stretches for 95 km, the southern coast for 72 km. The deepest lake is recorded in the place between Evian and Lausanne and is 310 meters, and the width in this place is only 13 kilometers.


The beauty of the shores of the lake is well known and attracts many tourists and travelers. At the eastern end of the lake between Vevey and Villeneuve, the landscape takes on an Alpine character. The northern shores are covered with vines on the slopes, densely packed with villages and castles.


In 563, according to letters from Gregory Thor and Marius Aventisensis, a tsunami wave swept along the lake, destroying Fort Tauredunum and other settlements, causing numerous deaths in Geneva. Simulations indicate that this event was most likely caused by a massive landslide near the Rhone Delta, which caused an eight-meter-high wave to reach Geneva within 70 minutes. In 888 the city was part of the new Kingdom of Burgundy, and was adopted in 1033 by the German Emperor.


In the late 1960s, pollution made it dangerous to swim on some of the beaches of Lake Geneva, with near-zero visibility underwater. By the 1980s, intense environmental pollution had almost wiped out all fish. Today, pollution levels have been drastically reduced and it is safe to swim and sunbathe again. local beaches... The main activities include sailing, surfing, rowing, snorkeling and swimming.


Here are some interesting facts. In 1827 Lake Geneva became the site for the first measurement of the speed of sound in water. High performance catamarans have been developed specifically for the lake to host sailing races, which have become quite a popular sport.

Mary and Percy Shelley, as well as Lord Byron, spent their holidays in these places and wrote ghost stories, one of which became the basis for the novel Frankenstein. Vladimir Lenin rented a chalet on the French coast near Geneva. Actor Charlie Chaplin spent his final years and died in Vevey (memorial statue installed). Pop singer Phil Collins lives in a house overlooking the lake. The Queen group owned Recording Studios (which are still in use today) in Montreux. There is a statue of the soloist Freddie Mercury, who also owned a house in Montreux, on the northern shore of the lake. Former Formula 1 pilot Michael Schumacher lives with his family in the vicinity of the lake.

A giant crescent-shaped mirror celebrated by Byron and Deep Purple, the second largest lake in Central Europe. Lake Geneva or Leman has been attracting connoisseurs of beauty for many centuries. Surrounded by luxury hotels from the north and the majestic Alps from the south, it stretches on the border of France and Switzerland, creating a truly paradise for tourists from all over the world.

Map of the resorts of Lake Geneva.

See where Lake Geneva is located on a map of Switzerland.

Lake Geneva is divided into Big and Small lakes along a bend in the area of ​​the village of Yvoire and has a total length of 72 km, a width of up to 13 km and a depth of up to 310 m. pure water Lemana is very cool and is ready to receive bathers only two months a year. But fresh mountain air, warm mild climate and an unforgettable atmosphere of European antiquity and luxury await the guests of the lake all year round.

A local proverb says: "You can find all of Switzerland on the shores of this lake"! And it is true. Snow-capped peaks of the Alps and luxurious vineyards, ancient villages and cities shining with night lights, paddle steamers against the backdrop of ultramodern trails, medieval castles and cathedrals - all this colorful mosaic seems even brighter against the backdrop of a bright blue lake!

The shores of Lake Geneva are also home to world-renowned private medical clinics, as well as the majestic Chillon Castle, famed by Lord Byron. Lehman's waters remain calm most of the day, justifying a poetic comparison with a mirror and reflecting the emerald meadows on the hillsides, the whitening peaks of the mountains and the azure dome of the sky.

Hotels for every taste, from aristocratic and representative Montreux to youthful and stylish Lausanne, await their visitors on the shores of Lake Geneva. The northern coast of Lehman, densely strewn with fashionable resorts, is called the Swiss Riviera. And on the southern side of the lake there is a path to the beautiful alpine mountains, famous for their ski resorts. Spa and hot spring lovers can find them in abundance north of Leman in Yverdon-les-Bains. Lake Geneva is home to many international events, and the Montreux Jazz Festival is just one of them.

So, the old saying has justified itself - on the banks mirror lake you can find the history and culture of all of Europe. Hotels, castles and luxury villas located on the banks of the Lehmann add to the natural beauty of this Central European pearl, giving it a special charm and charm.

Video: Lake Geneva - Lac Leman will help you decide on a trip to this natural pearl of Europe.

Lake Geneva is the largest in Western Europe. If you look at it from a height or on a map, then the outline of the reservoir resembles a croissant. Its northern coast and two ends belong to Switzerland, and the southern coast to France. The border between the two countries runs in the middle of the lake. The surface area of ​​the lake is 582.4 sq. Km, of which 348.4 sq. Km. km in Switzerland and 234 sq. km in France. Maximum depth 310 m at Grand Lake between cities and Evian. Due to its unique location at the intersection of European transport routes, the presence of a modern international airport, developed infrastructure, a large number of historical sights, gourmet cuisine, favorable climate, this place is very attractive for tourists from all over the world.

Many famous people have chosen this place as their new home, among them Audrey Hepburn, Freddie Mercury, Graham Greene, Charlie Chaplin, Vladimir Nabokov and many others.

Transport for tourists

During the day, the ticket allows you to make an unlimited number of trips in the region using commuter trains and buses. A pleasant bonus for passengers with such tickets will be a free glass of wine at some stops, discounts on excursions and a brochure, however, only in French. It lists the sights and opening hours of the wine cellars for tasting.

Lake Geneva nature

The Lake Geneva region boasts natural parks and reserves where flora and fauna are in complete peace. The botanical gardens are worth visiting both in the cities and in the mountains.

La Pierreuse Nature Reserve is located in the foothills of the Alps. Occupies an area of ​​34 sq. km. and includes several valleys dominated by limestone rocks. Here you can find: ibex, chamois, marmots, bears, woodpeckers, owls, royal eagles, lynx and black grouse.

Perch, whitefish, trout, pike, burbot, roach, crayfish live in Lake Geneva. Grayling is endangered. Fishing requires a license. There are two types of fishing permits: a lure license (annual only) and a-la gambe licenses (annual, monthly, weekly and daily). Without a license, fishing is allowed with a fishing rod with a float and a single hook. Young people (up to 14 years old) can fish without a license if they are accompanied by a permit holder.

The peculiarity of the region - wildlife with a great abundance of subalpine vegetation as well as traditional alpine meadows. The famous Alpine cheese Etivaz is produced here.

Park Sauvelene. Ideal for walks and picnics. Located near Lausanne and invites visitors to enjoy the beautiful view from the tall wooden tower of the surrounding area. Oak forests surround the charming Sauvabelin Lake. It offers a restaurant, a park with goats, ducks, woolly pigs, wild boars, geese and black swans. The park also boasts an authentic Swiss Chalet.

La Garenne Zoo in Le Vaux specializes in European fauna, wildlife, birds of prey and the breeding of protected predators. Open to the public all year round.

Gastronomy and winemaking

Wide network tourist routes run crosswise along the impressive slopes of Lavaux, vineyard terraces located between Lausanne and Chillon Castle.

The stunning beauty of Lavaux is a delight for the soul and attracts a large number of artists who settle in small picturesque villages... Lavaux is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mosaic vineyards attract many tourists in search of relaxation and tranquility.

Winemakers invite you to discover the exceptional and pristine beauty of the vineyards at any time of the year. Wine tours for individuals or groups are very popular.

The Lake Geneva region is prized by gourmets due to the abundance of prestigious restaurants, variety national cuisine and its high quality local products.

The gastronomic hit is shared by Philippe Roche at Crissier and Bernard Rave at VuffLens-le-Chateau, both awarded 3 Michelin stars. Apart from these two persons, there are about twenty young chefs scattered in the four corners of the canton. They masterfully and masterly present the inventive and daring cuisine appreciated by GaultMillau.

On the shores of Lake Geneva, you will be served a variety of fish dishes, sausage roast, traditional pies, cheese dishes, homemade cakes. All these dishes are accompanied by excellent local wines, in particular from Lavaux. In Canton Vo, the art of living goes hand in hand with fine cuisine.

Entertainment and recreation

Hiking trails in the mountains, horseback riding, tennis courts and many other useful and exciting activities. Heal the body and enjoy thermal springs can be found in the spa centers, one of which is located just off the main highway, next to the Rhone river in Valais. Easy access from Montreux and Lausanne as well ski resort in the Valais Alps. Les Bains de Lavey is a spa, the owners claim to have the warmest thermal waters in Switzerland (children under 4 are not allowed in the complex at all).

Culture and heritage

Remains of pile dwellings have been registered in the waters of Lake Geneva, which became the second site in the UNESCO World Heritage program after the recognition of Lavaux in 2007.

Attractions Lausanne:

• Tower Al.
• Former episcopal palace.
• Castle Saint-Mer.
• Church of St. Francis.
• Beaulieu Castle.
• Olympic Museum.
• Museum of the Hermitage Foundation.
• Museum of Archeology and History.

Attractions in Geneva:

• Saint Paul's Cathedral.
• Wall of the Reformation.
• Museum of Fine Arts and History.
• House Tavel - City Museum.
• English park and flower clock.
• The Mont Blanc Bridge and the Geneva Fountain, the tallest fountain in the world, is a famous symbol of the city.

Events and festivals

• January - International Balloon Festival.
• April - Jazz Festival and International Film Festival.
• April - May - Tulip Festival.
• May and December - Ballet Festival.
• June - Inauguration of the wine cellars.
• July - Jazz Festival, Opera Festival, Children's Festival.
• July - Music Festival.
• September - Art Festival.
• October - Lausanne Marathon.
• December - Christmas market.

Lake Geneva is the largest lake in both Switzerland and France. In addition, this lake is the second largest in both Western and Central Europe after the Hungarian Lake Balaton. The surface area of ​​Lake Geneva is 580 km², Lake Balaton - 594 km². True, Lake Geneva is deeper: its maximum depth is 310 meters, the maximum depth of Lake Balaton is only 12.5 meters. As a result, the volume of water in Lake Geneva is much higher: 89 km³, making it the largest fresh water reservoir in Switzerland. The water volume of Lake Balaton is much more modest and amounts to 1.9 km³. Moreover, the water in Lake Geneva is very clean. 80 million m³ of water is used annually as drinking water. The quality of the lake's water is regularly monitored by the International Commission for the Protection of the Water Basin of Lake Geneva (French Commission internationale pour la protection des eaux du Léman, abbreviated as CIPEL).

Lake name

The lake has the shape of a crescent and is divided into the Upper Lake (fr. Haut Lac), Big lake(French Grand Lac) and Small Lake (French Petit Lac). Written references to it are already found among the geographers of the ancient era, who called this lake "lacus lemanus". This name appeared for the first time in the Celtic language and means "big water". Today Lake Geneva is called Lac Léman or Le Léman in French, and also Lac de Genève. At the same time, the name Lac de Genève is used not for the entire lake, but for that part of it located in the canton of Geneva. The name in German is Genfersee.

Coastal towns

On the shores of the lake are two large Swiss cities: Geneva in the southwest and the capital of the canton of Vaud Lausanne in the north. Two other famous cities are Montreux and Vevey, located on the northeastern shore of the lake. Vevey is the headquarters of the world's largest food manufacturer, the Nestlé S.A. concern. A city ​​of Montreux famous for the fact that - since 1967 every year in July - the jazz festival "Montreux Jazz Festival" has been held here, attracting over 200,000 spectators each time.

On the north-west coast in the canton of Vaud is the small picturesque town of Nyon (fr. Nyon), famous among music lovers no less than Montreux. Since 1976, the Paléo Festival, an open-air rock festival that also attracts at least 200,000 spectators, has been held here annually.

One of the symbols of Lake Geneva is the Chillon Castle (French Château de Chillon), which is located five kilometers southeast of Montreux. This castle is the most visited historical building in Switzerland. More than 400,000 people visit it annually. Chillon Castle is a whole complex of 25 buildings and three courtyards, which are protected by two circumferential walls. It is located on an island 120 meters long and 48 meters wide. It is connected to the coast by a bridge. The first written mention of the Chillon Castle dates back to 1005. And the English romantic poet George Byron described this castle in detail in 1816 in his romantic poem The Prisoner of Chillon.

Another symbol of the lake and the city of Geneva is the unique fountain Jet d'eau, whose height reaches 140 meters. It is located directly in the water area of ​​the lake. The fountain throws up 500 liters of lake water per second. At the same time, water develops a speed of up to 200 km / h. This fountain appeared in 1885. Then its height was only a few meters. At that time, the fountain served as a high-pressure valve for the pressure water supply of the Forces Motrices de la Coulouvrenière hydroelectric power station. This power plant supplied energy to the workshops of the Geneva jewelers. The Je-dʼO fountain acquired its modern look in 1951. By the way, the inhabitants of Geneva, observing the behavior of the fountain jet, learned to predict the weather for the next couple of days from it.

On the northeastern coast of the lake between the cities of Vevey and Lausanne are the terraced vineyards of Lavaux (fr. Lavaux). They are narrow terraces with stone walls that descend to the shores of the lake along steep slopes. These vineyards date back to the 12th century. They stretch for 30 kilometers and cover an area of ​​805 hectares. The Lavaux vineyard is the largest wine region Switzerland. In 2007, they were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a natural and cultural complex.

In 1990, Switzerland introduced its own system for determining the quality of wine.

On the label of wine of the 1st category, the AOC mark is put with the name of the region in which it is produced. The abbreviation AOC stands for Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée. The AOC category includes wines from eight districts of Lavaux. A typical wine in the Lavaux vineyards is Chasselas. The area of ​​vineyards with grapes of this variety makes up almost 75% of the entire area of ​​Lavaux. In total, about 30 different grape varieties are grown here. The most common are Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Gamaret.

Fishing and fishing

Fishing enthusiasts will definitely be happy to visit Lake Geneva - it is rich in fish. More than 30 species of fish are found here. The most common species are whitefish, lake trout, pike, perch, grayling, char and burbot. In 2016, 1,047 tons of fish were caught in this lake. At the same time, commercial fishermen caught 983 tons, and amateur fishermen - 64 tons of fish. Whitefish (736 tons) and perch (192 tons) are in first and second place in terms of production. In 2016, 42 tons of pike were also caught. However, Swiss ichthyology experts believe that more pike should be caught in Lake Geneva, as they eat a lot of trout, whitefish and grayling. And back in 2016, 7 tons of American crayfish were caught here, which somehow ended up in the lake in the 1970s.

Fishing and fishing in Switzerland is quite tightly regulated. Fishing rules on Lake Geneva date back to the 14th century. Since the 16th century, a regular control of the amount of fish caught has been introduced. In 1980, an agreement was concluded between Switzerland and France regarding fishing. The agreement entered into force in 1982. According to it, amateur fishermen can fish anywhere in Lake Geneva, and professional fishermen must adhere to the borders of their state. In 1998, a new agreement was adopted. Fishing fishers now also have the right to fish all over the lake. Switzerland and France regularly discuss the fishing situation on the lake.

The already mentioned poem by Byron "The Prisoner of Chillon" was written on the shores of Lake Geneva. Byron lived here from May to October 1816 in the Villa Diodati (FR. Diodati) in the town of Cologny (FR. Cologny). On June 22, 1816, he visited the Chillon Castle. Byron completed the work on the poem "The Prisoner of Chillon" in July of the same year.

In the same Villa Diodati, and at about the same time, another famous work arose. The English writer Mary Shelley, who lived there with her future husband Percy Shelley, wrote the epistolary novel Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus here. The novel was first published anonymously in 1818. In 2015, Frankenstein was named one of The 100 greatest British novels.

The Mont Blanc embankment of Lake Geneva became the site of the death of Duchess Elizabeth Amalia Eugenia of Bavaria (German Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, 1837 - 1898), also known as Sisi or Sissi, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Elizabeth was Empress of Austria since 1854 and Queen consort of Hungary 1867 year. On September 10, 1898, she was accompanied by one of her ladies-in-waiting, Countess Irma Sztáray, along the embankment. Here she was trapped by the Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni, who stabbed Elizabeth in the heart with a fine sharpening made from a three-sided file. The sharpener entered the Empress's chest to a depth of 8.5 cm and pierced the left heart chamber. Elizabeth died at 14:40 on the same day. Luigi Lucheni was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. On October 10, 1910, he hanged himself in his cell.

A fire in a multi-storey casino complex in Montreux on December 4, 1971 inspired the musicians of the British rock band "Deep Purple" to write their famous song "Smoke on the Water". The casino that hosted Frank Zappa's concert that day burned down completely. The musicians watched a fire and a curtain of smoke over Lake Geneva from the Europe Hotel. "Smoke on the Water" was first released on the "Machine Head" album in March 1972.