Lake Geneva, France & Switzerland
Also known as: Lac Leman
Shaped like a crescent moon, Lake Geneva is cradled in the Alps Mountain Range with two-thirds of its 104 shoreline miles in Switzerland and the other third in France. Lake Geneva is known as Lac Leman in France. Flanked by the majestic Matterhorn, possibly the most famous peak in the Alps, the largest freshwater lake in Western Europe is postcard-picturesque. Because the crescent-shaped lake narrows at its…
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Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Geneva! Article topics include:
- All About Lake Geneva
- Where to Stay
- Vacation Planning Tools
- Things to Do
- Known Fish Species
- Lake Geneva Map
- Statistics / Weather / Helpful Links
- Lake Geneva Gifts
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Shaped like a crescent moon, Lake Geneva is cradled in the Alps Mountain Range with two-thirds of its 104 shoreline miles in Switzerland and the other third in France. Lake Geneva is known as Lac Leman in France. Flanked by the majestic Matterhorn, possibly the most famous peak in the Alps, the largest freshwater lake in Western Europe is postcard-picturesque. Because the crescent-shaped lake narrows at its western end, the western part of Lake Geneva is known as the “Petit Lac” (Small Lake), and the larger eastern side is “Grand Lac” (Large Lake). The City of Geneva is located at the southwestern tip of the lake. Its famous Geneva Harbor Fountain (Jet d’Eau) is the city’s emblem.
Lake Geneva lies along the shores of the Rhone River, fed by the Rhone Glacier, indicating its origins as a glacial lake. Julius Caesar and his Roman army claimed the area for a base by 58 B.C. and founded the modern cities of Geneva, Avenches, and Lausanne. Perhaps as a testament to its rich history, Lake Geneva’s name has changed many times: in Roman times, it was called Lacus Lemannus, later to be renamed Lacus Lausonius. In the Middle Ages, the lake changed to the French Lac de Lausanne, and finally to Lac de Geneve. Curiously, the French name changed to Lac Leman in the 18th century, though English has stuck with Lake Geneva, and some maps insist on calling it Lac d’Ouchy after one of its ports. Regardless of its name, Lake Geneva holds rich beauty and amazing vistas that one can enjoy in any language.
The Rhone River originates high in the Alps, flows through Lake Geneva and exits at the City of Geneva, flowing through France on its way to the Mediterranean. The Seujet Dam, completed in 1985, controls lake levels, prevents flooding, and generates hydroelectric power. Downriver about seven miles, the Verbois Dam, completed in 1943, is a major source of hydroelectric power for the city. A fish ladder is placed around both dams to allow fish to migrate upstream.
Due to Lake Geneva’s large size, extending over 144,000 acres, it’s necessary to pick a base camp from which to travel. Most popular is Montreux, Switzerland, a scenic resort on the eastern shore that juts out into the lake on a small, round peninsula, protected from northern and eastern winds. The town is spotted with old villas and palaces that have been converted to hotels, restaurants, and single family residences. It is the perfect starting point for your lake visit.
Lake Geneva offers many opportunities to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Land lubbers can indulge in horseback riding, mountain biking, mountain climbing (alpinism), golf, and hiking during warmer months. Hiking provides unique vantage points, with birds-eye views of the lake and quaint Alpine towns below. As you trek over the region’s Discovery Trails, you’ll meander by old villas, traverse steep ridges, pass though old vineyards, and find yourself in the midst of towering forests. The diversity of this area is soon recognized, and if you take your camera along, it will soon be full of amazing views and historic snapshots.
When you get back to Lake Geneva, plenty will be waiting. Consider hang-gliding, a horse-drawn carriage ride, or a hot-air balloon ride. Rent a powerboat and head out to explore this glacial lake. It’s impossible to see it all, so your best bet is to grab a map and focus on one area, investigating its shores and enjoying the amazing scenery around you. To slow down the pace, hop into one of the lake’s canoes, kayaks, or pedalos (pedal boats) and enjoy the lake a bit at a time. Grab your fishing line and throw it in the boat to enjoy some fishing, as well. Just make sure you have a Swiss fishing permit first.
In winter, Lake Geneva transforms into one of the most beautiful regions in the world. Nothing is as beautiful as mountains blanketed in snow, and the lake area simply comes alive with activity. Scratch your adrenaline itch and indulge in both alpine and nordic skiing – several area resorts offer runs. Snowboarders will love the halfpipes and snowboard parks that dot the mountainside, as well. For a bit of family fun, take a turn on a toboggan trail or take an afternoon to go snowshoeing. Like hiking, all mountain activities will provide you with some of the most stunning scenery your eyes have ever beheld.
Despite how it may seem, Lake Geneva does not start and end with its outdoor offerings. In fact, this region is home to some of the most delicious cuisine on the planet, calling upon its unique influences from several surrounding countries. Bite into the typical “papet vaudois”, a leek and potato stew usually accompanied by “saucisse aux choux”, a cabbage-stuffed sausage. Gobble down local-caught fish, visit a delicious Italian restaurant, and tickle your taste buds with a host of local flavors. Make sure to order a bottle of Swiss wine, as well, and your Lake Geneva meal will be one that is hard to forget.
Stunning scenery meets nature lovers’ paradise here in the Lake Geneva region. Catering to almost every taste and pleasure, the region is high on the fun factor, offering a bit of everything for you to try. Your only challenge will be whether you can fit everything into a stay that will seem far too short.
Things to Do at Lake Geneva
These are some activities in the Lake Geneva, France & Switzerland area visitors can enjoy:
- Vacation Rentals
- Fishing
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Golf
- Camping
- Hiking
- Mountain Climbing
- Biking
- Snowshoeing
- Tobogganing
- Horseback Riding
- Birding
Find Places to Stay at Lake Geneva
If you’re considering a Lake Geneva lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.
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More Sites to Book a Lake Geneva Vacation
Our interactive Lake Geneva lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:
Lake Geneva Statistics & Helpful Links
Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed
Water Level Control: Services Industriels de Geneve
Surface Area: 144,000 acres
Shoreline Length: 104 miles
Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,220 feet
Average Depth: 506 feet
Maximum Depth: 1,017 feet
Water Volume: 72,153,474 acre-feet
Water Residence Time: 11.4
Drainage Area: 3,079 sq. miles
Trophic State: Meso-eutrophic
More local lakes to explore in this area:
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Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz
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