Lake Geneva, France (France) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
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The largest alpine lake, divided by the will of history between two countries, Geneva is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Its northern shores belong to Switzerland, the southern shores belong to France, and they are separated by several kilometers of immaculately clear, deep blue water. Lake Geneva in France is patriotically called Lac Leman - and it actually consists of two reservoirs: Big and Small. Despite the fact that tourism in full swing is observed mainly on the Swiss coast, the French shores have also not remained aloof from the tourist boom. The most popular resort of the Republic of Thonon-les-Bains is not very well known on the Russian market, but its younger brother Evian annually receives a significant portion of domestic tourists.
How to get to Lake Geneva
The nearest airports to the lake are Geneva (40 km to Thonon) and Annecy (80 km). Annecy Airport receives mainly domestic and European low-cost airlines, as well as seasonal charters, while Geneva Airport receives flights from all over the world.
You can also arrive on the French shores of Lac Leman from its Swiss part. Transport links are provided by the Swiss Navigation Company Lac-Leman. The ferry journey from Geneva and Montreux will take about 45 minutes, from Lausanne - no more than half an hour. You can also travel by water between the French resorts of Lake Geneva - Thonon and Evian, for example, are located just 10 minutes away.
In summer, the air on Lake Geneva warms up to +25.. +28 °C, the water temperature in July and August is +22.. +24 °C, which is excellent for swimming.
Climate of the region
The resorts of Lake Geneva are subject to a temperate continental climate. Winters here are moderately mild, and summers are not too hot. The average winter temperature ranges from 0.. +10 °C. At the same time, it is quite chilly on the lake shores even with positive thermometer readings, the reason for which is increased air humidity and frequent piercing winds. In summer, the air on Lake Geneva warms up to +25.. +28 °C, the water temperature in July and August is +22.. +24 °C, which is excellent for swimming.
Lake Geneva and Evian
Resorts of the French part of Lake Geneva
Evian is the most popular resort among Russian tourists on the French shore of Lake Geneva, famous not only for a couple of dozen quality hotels and convenient beaches, but also for the mineral water of the same brand. The subject of increased interest among tourists here is one of the best spa complexes in Europe with the pompous but true name “Evian Royal Spa”. Among other things, drinking Evian water is indicated for a whole range of diseases, and the resort has “serious” clinics. Well, local attractions include the country house of the Lumière brothers, a theater, a casino, the ancient castle of Fontbonne, as well as the Pré-Curier Garden of Water reserve and the cable car to the mountain of the Chablais massif.
Thonon-les-Bains (or simply Thonon) is the largest resort in the French part of Lac-Leman. In addition to excellent conditions for wellness and beach holidays (more than twenty hotels, the ultra-modern spa complex “Valvital” and Versoix’s own thermal spring “included”), Thonon can offer tourists an incredible “excursion” in scope. The city was once the capital of the historical province of Chablais, owned by the Counts of Savoy, and has a considerable number of attractions, including the majestic castle of Ripail (the last antipope Amédée VIII once rested here) and the medieval Lang watchtower.
Saint-Gingolph is famous for its unique location - the city has one foot in Switzerland, the other in France, and the border between the two countries sometimes runs right along the streets of the city. The highlights of the destination are a magnificent beach (divided into Swiss and French parts) and a good excursion program. The beach of Saint-Gingolph is sandy, small, but with good infrastructure - cafes/restaurants, volleyball and petanque courts, water rescue service. Among the attractions are the historical quarters of the city, an 18th century church and the interesting Museum of Traditions and Navigation of Lac-Leman.
Although Yvoire cannot boast of healing mineral water, it does have a nice secluded beach. You can stay here in cozy private guest houses. Yvoire has an unusually long and rich history, traces of which can be found in the narrow streets of the historical city center, which, by the way, is included in the state List of the most beautiful villages in France. Activities include boat trips on Lake Geneva and the beautiful Vaudois Route cycling route to the fishing village of Nernier.
Lake Geneva, or as it is called, Leman (Lac Leman, French name) is a favorite place of Russian tourists. It is the largest lake in the Alps and the second largest freshwater lake in Central Europe (second only to Lake Balaton). Northern shore of the lake - Swiss Riviera- consists of a series of fashionable resorts, ... The section of coast between and is a wine-growing region La Cote ( La Cote) , and between and stretched the famous ones, now included in.
Attractions along Lake Geneva:
Along Lake Geneva you can see: the famous city where Byron's prisoner languished, in the vicinity of Montreux with a magnificent botanical garden and a park of marmots that you can feed by hand. All this is part of (the westernmost tip of Lake Geneva) and (most of the lake is located here).
On the opposite, French side, you can visit the town of Yvoire (among the most beautiful “villages” in France) and Evian, famous for its thermal springs.
There are boat flights to Evian from Lausanne.
Cruises on Lake Geneva:
You can choose from a variety of cruises on Lake Geneva, such as a fondue cruise (49 francs per person) or a gourmet cruise with gourmet lunch (from 55 francs). You can celebrate the New Year on board a ship on Lake Geneva (249 francs per person with a gourmet gala dinner).
Lake Geneva also boasts the world's most important and most elegant collection of paddle steamers. All of them were built by the Sulzer brothers between 1904 and 1927. It is the largest Belle Epoque fleet in the world (by number of passengers). It was classified as a National Historical Monument on June 17, 2011. So you have a chance to ride on real old ships, plunging into the atmosphere of the early 20th century.
Save on tickets:
Regional pass from Lake Geneva to the Alps
This regional ticket gives you unlimited use of trains, buses and cable cars for 2 or 3 days, and gives a 50% discount on public transport on other days. It can be bought at any tourist office, at train stations and ports. There is also a “junior card” - for children 6-16 years old.
There is a “5 regional pass” ticket, which gives the right to 2 days of free use of transport and 3 days of a 50% discount. Cost (2nd class) - 94 francs for adults, 75 francs upon availability or - 75 francs, children 6-16 - 47 francs.
For a 7-day ticket (3 free and 4 days with a 50% discount) - 114, 91 and 57 francs respectively.
Nature has generously gifted Switzerland, and it is no longer surprising that the inhabitants of this Western European country are distinguished by their unusually peaceful character and complaisance. After all, when you live among such beauty, you somehow begin to feel the value and meaning of human life in a special way. No wonder in the vicinity of the most famous in Europe Lake Geneva Many world-famous creative people found peace of mind and drew inspiration.
Here, at different times, writers Vladimir Nabokov and Graham Greene, big screen stars Charlie Chaplin and Audrey Hepburn, rock singer Freddie Mercury and musicians from the band Deep Purple retired from the bustle of the world. Indeed, it is impossible not to fall in love with the azure surface of this, the second largest freshwater lake in Europe, in which the snow-capped peaks of the Alpine peaks are reflected. Located on the very border between France and Switzerland, most of Lake Geneva belongs to the latter. It has a crescent shape, stretches from West to East for more than 70 kilometers and is conventionally divided into a small and a large lake. Northern part of the lake, owned by Switzerland, is famous for its extraordinary abundance of fashionable resorts, which together make up the concept "Swiss Riviera". There are also a huge number of residences of various international political, economic and public organizations.
An interesting fact, but most often local residents call the lake not Geneva, but Leman. The topology of this word is believed to originate from the period of Roman rule in these places. Lacus Lemannus is what the Romans called this large freshwater lake. Some time later, after the strengthening of Swiss statehood, the lake began to be called Lac de Geneve, that is, Geneva. However, in the middle of the 18th century they again decided to return to the historical name Lac Leman, which has taken root and is now the most used.
Cities around Lake Geneva
It is not surprising that the natural beauty of Lake Geneva has led to the construction of a large number of resort towns and villages along its coast. Let's try to consider the most significant of them.
Geneva
The largest city on the coast and the second largest in Switzerland, which, in fact, gave its name to the lake. However, the Swiss themselves jokingly call Geneva a “foreign city”, since most of its residents are not citizens of the Confederation. According to experts, Geneva today is the most beautiful and environmentally friendly city on the planet. Its main attraction and unspoken symbol is the famous city fountain, the largest in Europe, which is now more than 120 years old.
A powerful hydraulic installation throws out about five hundred liters of water in one second, which shoots up more than 150 meters. Tourists from all over the world enjoy this extraordinary spectacle, which looks most impressive when viewed from the Mont Blanc Bridge. The fountain does not stop working for a second, only on abnormally frosty days it is temporarily turned off.
No less famous in the world and Geneva flower clock, laid out from multi-colored living plants. The chronometer shows the exact time, and the length of its second hand reaches two and a half meters.
The distinctive architectural dominant of Geneva is Saint Paul's Cathedral, located in the Old Town, and erected by the townspeople back in the 13th century. The cultural core of the city is New Square, which houses the city theatre, conservatory and art museum Rath, which regularly hosts international exhibitions.
Lausanne
Just over fifty kilometers from Geneva is the second largest resort center on the coast - Lausanne, which is also the administrative center of the canton of Vaud. Being the historical center of regional winemaking and located in a picturesque location, Lausanne has long attracted vacationers and travelers.
Over the years, her guests were the great geniuses of their time, Byron, Mozart, Dickens, Hugo and many other creative people.
According to eyewitnesses, the views of Lake Geneva from the Lausanne embankment are the most impressive among all other coastal resorts.
The city itself is overflowing with cultural and entertainment venues, which is why it hosts a large number of different international festivals every year. The main attractions of the city include the Bel Air Metropole Trading House, the height of the central tower of which reaches 67 meters, as well as the Hermitage, Elyseesky, Mon Repos and Olympic parks, which are stunning in their cleanliness and well-groomed condition. For tourists looking for peace and concentrated solitude, Lausanne will be a real find.
Montreux
Another resort center of Lake Geneva, the city of Montreux, located on the eastern coast of the lake, 40 kilometers from Lausanne, is no less popular among connoisseurs of natural beauty. Indeed, the places here are wonderful. The city is comfortably located on a small hill, on one side of which there are picturesque alpine peaks, and on the other there is a stunning view of the crystal mirror of one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
The unique microclimate provided the city with the lush development of bright and rich vegetation. It is also noteworthy that the brilliant Russian emigrant writer Vladimir Nabokov spent the last 17 years of his life in the city. At different times, composers Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Igor Stravinsky, and writer Leo Tolstoy drew creative energy here.
Today, Montreux is loved by fans of active recreation, who are attracted here by the opportunity to endlessly indulge in their favorite pastime: water skiing, mountaineering, horse riding, golf and simply long cycling and walking walks in the city surroundings. Not far from Montreux is also the most famous architectural monument of Switzerland - Chillon Castle.
Vevey
Halfway between Lausanne and Montreux is another beautiful resort center of Lake Geneva - Vevey, famous for its unusually rich and colorful annual peasant fairs. Vevey is also notable for the fact that the great silent film actor Charlie Chaplin lived here in his last years and found his final resting place. In memory of this event, a monument to the “great mute” was erected in the city.
The famous writers Ernest Hemingway, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Nikolai Gogol, who vacationed there at different times, brought no less fame to the city. Vevey is also famous for its abundance of museums of various thematic areas. Here you can find the Photography Museum, the Clock Museum, the Games Museum and the Food Museum. The city is most beautiful and popular with tourists from April to October, when the weather in Vevey is favorable and mild.
Yverdon-les-Bains
Another wonderful recreation center located in the vicinity of Lake Geneva is the city of Yverdon-les-Bains, which combines the advantages of a balneological, thermal and lake resort. Situated in an elevated position, Yverdon-les-Bains is the only resort town in the region that has a naturally created sandy beach.
This resort is considered the center of the extremely popular “rural tourism” today. Near Yverdon-les-Bains is the largest nature reserve in Switzerland, where herds of bison roam freely, bears and wolves live.
The healing thermal springs attract guests from all over the world to Yverdon-les-Bains.
Floral beauty of Lake Geneva
In addition to the active skiing and water recreation for which the Lake Geneva region is famous, tens of thousands of tourists regularly come here who prefer aesthetic pleasure to the extraordinary wealth of natural beauties of Switzerland. Let us note right away that the most famous lake in Europe is located in a unique place. It is surrounded on all sides by picturesque mountain ranges, which not only delight the eyes of local residents and visitors, but also protect the lake from cold winds.
Thanks to this, an unusually mild and calm climate has formed around Lake Geneva, which like a magnet attracts guests from all over the world. Even in the hottest month of June, the average air temperature here does not rise above +30ºС, and in winter it does not fall below 0ºС.
Tourists are not at all surprised by the fact that in the resort town of Montreux, real palm trees grow in the open ground. However, if palm trees are just an exception and the fruit of the labor of the caring hands of the Swiss, then the wild meadow flowers growing in abundance around Lake Geneva are a real miracle of nature.
During the flowering period, it seems that the turquoise surface of the lake rests in a colorful and variegated wreath of all kinds of plants. Mostly in the local meadows and fields grow tulips, poppies, daffodils and anemones, as well as many other types of beautiful flowers. It is noteworthy that for more than four decades in the Geneva city of Morges, tulip festival, organized by the local Horticultural Society.
Primroses are the first to appear in the city park, followed by the most diverse representatives of bulbous plants: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths. The total area of the park's flower plantings is more than 30 thousand square meters, which creates a truly unique spectacle.
Castles - attractions of Lake Geneva
In the lake area there is a huge number of various attractions that have both historical and cultural value. Here, an inquisitive tourist will be able to discover about eight dozen different museum institutions, revealing and highlighting a variety of eras and trends in Swiss history, culture and simply life. Among them are a large number of monuments belonging to the Roman era in the history of the region, a huge number of medieval architectural and fortification structures.
There are more than a hundred different castles and fortifications here. However, no more than two dozen of them are open to the public today.
Grandson Castle
This historical landmark, located 30 kilometers north of Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel, is dear to the heart of every Swiss. The prototype of the Granson Castle existed in these places more than 10 centuries ago. It was given a more modern appearance by the Savoyard nobleman and knight Otho I de Granson, who was a friend of the English king Edward the First and his comrade-in-arms in the Eighth Crusade. The castle went down in history thanks to the famous Battle of Grançon, which took place in 1476 between the troops of the Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold and the troops of the Swiss Confederation. Then a simple Swiss militia inflicted a crushing defeat on the trained regular army of the ambitious duke, who dreamed of conquering all of Europe.
Over time, Grançon Castle began to serve as a local prison, with all its inherent attributes: cells, torture chambers and courtrooms. In the middle of the 20th century, the castle was once again restored and turned into an entertaining museum. In addition to the chilling torture hall with a rack, axes, pincers and various executioner’s tools, there is a completely peaceful and educational car museum, among the exhibits of which you can see rare models that previously belonged to politician Winston Churchill and actress Greta Garbo.
Chillon Castle (Château De Chillon)
This most famous castle in Switzerland is located near the city of Montreux, on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva.
It owes its world fame to the English poet Byron, who glorified the citadel in his poem “The Prisoner of Chillon.” Moreover, the prototype of the main character of the poem was a real person named Francois Bonivard, who, for his sympathy with the ideas of the Reformation, was imprisoned by the Duke of Savoy in the dungeons of Chillon.
Scientists believe that he Chillon Castle was built back in the 13th century on a small rocky island connected to the coast by a narrow wooden bridge. Moreover, the foundation of the castle was not built using the usual method for us, but was simply carved into the rock. Thus, at its base, gloomy and dark dungeons appeared, in which various criminals and enemies of the house of the Dukes of Savoy were previously kept.
The upper part of the castle consists of several dozen structures of different heights, united by three fortress courtyards, which was inherent in medieval fortification architecture. Over the years, the castle was visited by famous creative personalities, including, in addition to Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, Victor Hugo, Hans Christian Andersen, Auguste Flaubert, Mark Twain and Charles Dickens.
The castle's long history is emphasized by its austere Romanesque architectural style, mixed with early Gothic elements. Its extraordinary appearance, combined with the beautiful nature of Lake Geneva, gives rise to amazing associations among visitors. Today the castle is open to visitors, and inside it there are rich exhibitions of objects, weapons and utensils belonging to the medieval era.
In a word, in the vicinity of Lake Geneva there is where to relax your soul and body, there is where to improve your health and there is something to see.
Lake Geneva is the largest in Western Europe. If you look at it from above or on a map, the outline of the reservoir resembles a croissant. Its northern shore and two ends belong to Switzerland, and its southern shore belongs to France. The border between the two countries runs down 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. The maximum depth is 310 m in the Grand Lake between the cities and Evian. Due to its unique location at the crossroads of European transport routes, the presence of a modern international airport, developed infrastructure, a large number of historical attractions, exquisite cuisine, and favorable climate, this place is very attractive to tourists from all over the world.
Many famous people have chosen this place as their new home, including Audrey Hepburn, Freddie Mercury, Graham Greene, Charlie Chaplin, Vladimir Nabokov and many others.
Transport for tourists
Travelers will find it convenient to take a train or bus. In the summer of 2014, a new tariff was introduced - a day of travel, especially so that tourists could enjoy in all its splendor the beautiful Lavaux region, this is an area strewn with vineyards between Lausanne and.
During the day, the ticket allows you to make an unlimited number of trips within the region using local trains and buses. A nice bonus for passengers with such tickets will be a free glass of wine at some stops, discounts on excursions and a brochure, although only in French. It lists attractions and opening hours of wine cellars for tasting.
Nature of Lake Geneva
Situated in the heart of preserved nature between lakes and mountains, the Lake Geneva region () is a green paradise on Earth. Breathtaking mountain panoramas, countryside landscapes, recreational parks and medieval castles guarantee unforgettable experiences and incomparable moments of joy.
The Lake Geneva region boasts natural parks and reserves where flora and fauna are in complete peace. Botanical gardens in both cities and mountains are worth visiting.
La Pierreuse nature reserve is located in the foothills of the Alps. Occupies an area of 34 square meters. km. and includes several valleys dominated by calcareous rocks. Here you can find: ibex, chamois, marmots, bears, woodpeckers, owls, royal eagles, lynxes and black grouse.
Lake Geneva is home to perch, whitefish, trout, pike, burbot, roach, and crayfish. Grayling is endangered. A license is required for fishing. There are two types of fishing permits: lure license (annual only) and "a-la gambe" licenses (annual, monthly, weekly and daily). Without a license, fishing is permitted using a fishing rod with a float and a single hook. Youth (under 14 years of age) can fish without a license if they are accompanied by a permit holder.
The region is characterized by wild nature with a great abundance of subalpine vegetation, as well as traditional alpine meadows. The famous Alpine cheese Etivaz is produced here.
Sovabelin Park. Ideal for walks and picnics. Located near Lausanne, it offers visitors a wonderful view of the surrounding area from a high wooden tower. Oak forests surround the charming Lake Sauvabelles. It features 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 Les Vaux, specializes in European fauna, wild animals, birds of prey and the breeding of protected raptors. Open to visitors all year round.
Gastronomy and winemaking
The Lake Geneva region offers an endless variety of landscapes, breathtaking views and endless foodie options. Did you know that this part of Switzerland is among the most famous gastronomic regions in the world?A wide network of hiking trails criss-cross the impressive slopes of Lavaux and the terraced vineyards 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 the small picturesque villages. Lavaux is part of the UNESCO World Heritage program. The mosaic vineyard areas 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 for its abundance of prestigious restaurants, diversity of national cuisine and its local high-quality products.
The gastronomic hit parade is shared by Philippe Rochat at Crissier and Bernard Ravé at VuffLens-le-Chateau, they are awarded 3 Michelin stars. Besides these two persons, there are about twenty young chefs scattered in the four corners of the canton. They masterfully and masterfully present inventive and daring cuisine, appreciated by GaultMillau.
On the shores of Lake Geneva you will be served a variety of fish dishes, sausage roasts, traditional pies, cheese dishes, and homemade cakes. All these dishes are accompanied by excellent local wines, in particular from Lavaux. In the canton of Vaud, the art of living goes hand in hand with fine dining.
Entertainment and relaxation
Tourists can enjoy cruises on ships, pleasure yachts, cycling routes, comfortable beaches with water sports.Hiking trails in the mountains, horseback riding, tennis courts and many other useful and exciting activities. You can improve your health and enjoy the thermal springs in spa centers, one of which is located near the main highway, next to the Rhone River in Valais. Easy access from Montreux and Lausanne, as well as the ski resort of the Valais Alps. Les Bains de Lavey is a spa whose owners claim they have the warmest thermal waters in Switzerland (children under 4 years old are not allowed in the complex at all).
Culture and heritage
The Lake Geneva region is a remarkable area steeped in centuries of history. And much of this history is still pleasing to the eye: Roman ruins, amphitheatres, fortresses, churches, monuments and about 200 archaeological sites.The remains of pile dwellings have been recorded in the waters of Lake Geneva, which became the second site in the UNESCO World Heritage program after the recognition of Lavaux in 2007.
Sights of Lausanne:
- Tower Al.
- Former episcopal palace.
- Castle of Saint-Mer.
- Church of St. Francis.
- Beaulieu Castle.
- Olympic Museum.
- Museum of the Hermitage Foundation.
- Museum of Archeology and History.
Sights of Geneva:
- Saint Paul's Cathedral.
- Wall of the Reformation.
- Museum of Fine Arts and History.
- Tavel House – 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
When it comes to special events, the Lake Geneva region has a long tradition of cultural attractions and events that are fun and festive. Throughout the year, the region sways to the beat of major festivals and other events:- January – International Balloon Festival.
- April – Jazz Festival and International Film Festival.
- April – May – Tulip Festival.
- May and December – Ballet Festival.
- June – Grand opening of 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 is 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 larger: 89 km³, making it the largest freshwater reservoir in Switzerland. The water volume of Lake Balaton is much more modest and amounts to 1.9 km³. At the same time, the water in Lake Geneva is very clean. 80 million m³ of water is used annually as drinking water. The quality of water in the lake 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 a crescent shape and is divided into the Upper Lake (French Haut Lac), the Great Lake (French Grand Lac) and the Small Lake (French Petit Lac). Written mentions of it are already found among geographers of ancient times, who called this lake “lacus lemanus”. This name first appeared in the Celtic language and means “big water.” Today Lake Geneva is called Lac Léman or Le Léman in French, as well as Lac de Genève. Moreover, the name Lac de Genève is used not for the entire lake, but for that part of it that is located in the canton of Geneva. The name in German is Genfersee.
Cities on the coast
Along the shores of the lake there 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. The headquarters of the world's largest food manufacturer, Nestlé S.A., is located in Vevey. And the city of Montreux is famous for the fact that - since 1967, every year in July - the Montreux Jazz Festival is held here, attracting over 200,000 spectators each time.
In the northwest coast in the canton of Vaud there is a small picturesque town of Nyon (French: Nyon), famous among music lovers no less than Montreux. Here, since 1976, the open-air rock festival “Paléo Festival” has been held annually, which also attracts at least 200,000 spectators.
One of the symbols of Lake Geneva is 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 complex of 25 buildings and three courtyards, which are protected by two circumferential walls. It is located on an island 120 meters long and up to 48 meters wide. A bridge connects it to the shore. The first written mention of 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 Jet d’eau fountain, whose height reaches 140 meters. It is located directly in the lake. The fountain throws up 500 liters of lake water per second. At the same time, the water reaches speeds of up to 200 km/h. This fountain appeared in 1885. At that time its height was only a few meters. At that time, the fountain served as a high-pressure valve for the pressure water supply system of the Forces Motrices de la Coulouvrenière hydroelectric power station. This power plant supplied energy to the workshops of Geneva jewelers. The Jeu d'Eau fountain acquired its modern appearance in 1951. By the way, the residents of Geneva, observing the behavior of the fountain jet, learned to predict the weather from it for the next couple of days.
On the northeastern coast of the lake between the cities of Vevey and Lausanne are the terraced vineyards of Lavaux (French: Lavaux). They are narrow terraces with stone walls that descend to the shores of the lake along steep slopes. These vineyards appeared back in the 12th century. They stretch for 30 kilometers and cover an area of 805 hectares. Lavaux Vineyards is the largest wine region in 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 a wine of the 1st category, an AOC mark is placed with the name of the region in which it is produced. The abbreviation AOC stands for "Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée" (Controlled Appellation of Origin). The AOC category includes wines from eight Lavaux regions. The typical wine variety in the Lavaux vineyards is Chasselas. The area of vineyards with grapes of this variety is almost 75% of the entire Lavaux area. 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 live 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. The first and second places in production are whitefish (736 tons) and perch (192 tons). In 2016, 42 tons of pike were also caught. However, Swiss ichthyological experts believe that even more pike need to be caught in Lake Geneva, as they eat a lot of trout, whitefish and grayling. And 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 are quite strictly regulated. Fishing rules on Lake Geneva appeared already in the 14th century. Since the 16th century, regular controls on the number of fish caught have been introduced. In 1980, an agreement was concluded between Switzerland and France regarding fisheries. The agreement came into force in 1982. According to it, amateur fishermen can fish anywhere in Lake Geneva, but professional fishermen must adhere to the borders of their state. In 1998, a new agreement was adopted. Now commercial fishermen also have the right to fish throughout the lake. Switzerland and France discuss the fishing situation on the lake regularly.
Byron's already mentioned poem “The Prisoner of Chillon” was written on the shores of Lake Geneva. Byron lived here from May to October 1816 in the Villa Diodati in the town of Cologny. On June 22, 1816 he visited Chillon Castle. Byron completed work on the poem “The Prisoner of Chillon” in July of the same year.
In the same Villa Diodati and around 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, the novel “Frankenstein” was included in the rating of “The 100 greatest British novels”.
The Mont Blanc embankment of Lake Geneva became the site of the death of Duchess Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie of Bavaria (German: Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, 1837 - 1898), also known as Sisi or Sissy, wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Elizabeth was Empress of Austria from 1854 and Queen Consort of Hungary from 1867. On September 10, 1898, she walked along the embankment, accompanied by one of her ladies-in-waiting, Countess Irma Sztáray. Here she was waylaid by the Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni, who stabbed Elizabeth in the heart with a thin sharpener made from a triangular file. The sharpener entered the empress's chest to a depth of 8.5 cm and pierced the left chamber of the heart. Elizabeth died at 14:40 on the same day. Luigi Lukeni was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. On October 10, 1910, he hanged himself in his cell.
A fire in a high-rise casino complex in Montreux on December 4, 1971 inspired the British rock band Deep Purple to write their famous song “Smoke on the Water.” The casino, in whose theater a Frank Zappa concert was held that day, burned down completely. The musicians watched the fire and a curtain of smoke over Lake Geneva from the Europe Hotel. "Smoke on the Water" was first released on the album Machine Head in March 1972.
