Évian and the Chablais in 4 days
Évian faces Lausanne across Lake Geneva, 35 minutes away by boat. You drink from the Cachat spring and ride the funicular up to the old grand hotels, then the Chablais takes over: the ramparts of Yvoire, Ripaille castle, the Pont du Diable gorge and the Dent d'Oche above Bernex.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
The Cachat spring and pump roomfree · a few minutesÉvian's story starts in 1789, when a count credited this spring with curing his kidney stones and its owner, Cachat, began charging for the water.
- Afternoon
Boat to Lausannehalf a dayA 35-minute commuter crossing to Lausanne-Ouchy among cross-border workers, with the Lavaux vineyard terraces ahead and the Chablais mountains behind Évian on the way back.
Day 2
- Morning
Évian funicularfree · about 1 hBuilt in 1913 to carry spa guests up to the grand hotels, closed in 1969 and reopened in 2002, with listed original Von Roll cars.
- Afternoon
Château de Ripailleabout 1 h 30A lakeside castle near Thonon holding six centuries of Savoy history, where Amadeus VIII retired in 1434 and founded the Order of Saint Maurice.
- Late afternoon
Yvoirefree · about 1 h 30A medieval village on a point dividing the lake's two basins, fortified by Amadeus V of Savoy after 1306, still entered by its two gates.
Day 3
- Morning
Garden of the Five Sensesabout 1 hThe castle's old kitchen garden, open since 1988: a hedged maze with a room for each sense, and herbs to crush between your fingers.
- Afternoon
Pont du Diable gorgeabout 45 minThe Dranse has cut a narrow limestone canyon choked with glacial boulders, one wedged between the walls to form the Devil's Bridge.
Day 4
- All day
Dent d'Ochefree · a full dayA 2,221-metre tooth of rock seen from all along the lake, climbed from above Bernex past the Oche chalets and their mountain cheese.
Where to sleep in Évian and the Chablais
- Hôtel de France · €95 a night
- ibis budget Thonon-les-Bains · €65 a night
- Hôtel Royal · €600 a night
- Hôtel du Port · €220 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.