Haute-Savoie: Lakes, Hiking Trails and Cultural Heritage

Haute-Savoie can be explored through its lakes, hiking trails, natural areas and rich cultural heritage. The département is home to almost 100 lakes, including Lake Annecy and Lake Geneva; the Rhône is also part of its landscape. Almost a quarter of Haute-Savoie is covered by protected areas. National nature reserves cover a total of more than 20,000 hectares—the largest area of this kind in mainland France.

Lakes, Nature and Trails

The lakes can be explored year-round along their promenades. Visitor facilities in lakeside areas include beaches, waterfront areas, watersports centres, fishing facilities and harbours, among others. The département’s lake plan aims to provide safer access and improve accessibility for people with reduced mobility; facilities may vary from one location to another.

More than 5,200 kilometres of trails are listed in the PDIPR for hikers. The PDIPR routes are marked and secured for hikers of all ages and abilities. Conditions vary by route and season, so it is advisable to check them before setting out. Cyclists will also find an extensive network: Haute-Savoie offers 850 kilometres of cycle paths and secure cycling routes for everyday journeys and leisure.

Rovorée–La Châtaignière offers a close-up look at nature and the lakeshore, with 1.2 kilometres of lakeside frontage. Species recorded there include 350 plant, 87 bird, 29 butterfly and 13 bat species. The area can be reached by car, on foot and by bicycle via the voie verte from Yvoire. On site, visitors can explore independently using information panels. The département also promotes tourism beyond the ski resorts as a quieter, four-season option.

Geology and Activities in Chablais

Chablais in Haute-Savoie is a UNESCO Global Geopark between Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. Its geological interpretation focuses on the formation of the Alps and the Quaternary glaciations. The Chilly Marsh and the Vouas de Lyaud are also biodiversity hotspots in Chablais. Public outings and guided tours explore the values and cultural heritage of the Geopark; tour offerings may vary.

The landscape offers different perspectives on nature and geology: canyoning and rafting take place in alpine river settings, where safety and operating conditions may vary. Those interested in regional food culture will find another point of reference in the Geopark: it supports the visibility of local AOP cheeses, AOC wines and handcrafted products.

History, Architecture and Regional Products

The Site de Morette is dedicated to commemorating the Resistance and the Second World War in Haute-Savoie; its visitor programme is seasonal. The Chartreuse de Mélan has more than 700 years of history. Visitors can explore its church and cloister, as well as temporary exhibitions. An outdoor sculpture park featuring contemporary art complements this historic site.

At the Domaine de Découverte de la Vallée d’Aulps, the ruins of an abbey church sit alongside an interpretation centre and a contemporary art space. The site also includes a shop, a tavern, a medicinal herb garden and a medieval kitchen garden. The Abbey of Abondance focuses its visitor experience on mountain Gothic architecture and the valley’s centuries-long history; access conditions may vary. On the shores of Lake Geneva, Ripaille Castle was once a residence of the Dukes of Savoy. Yvoire is also on the lakeshore and is classified as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France.

Reblochon, also known as Reblochon de Savoie, is an AOP raw-milk cheese made from whole cow’s milk in Haute-Savoie. The milk is collected, and the cheese is made and aged, within the same designated area. When choosing where to stay, you can first decide on the focus of your trip: lakes and nature, hiking, geology or cultural history each offer a different theme to guide your search for a hotel in Haute-Savoie.

Discover more destinations: Mieussy, Lullin, Vétraz-Monthoux, Épagny, La Côte-D'arbroz, Marin, Villard, Vailly, Habère-Poche, Loisin, Alex, Chevenoz, Les Villards-sur-Thônes, Le Bouchet-Mont-Charvin, Nernier, Les Clefs, Reyvroz, Seythenex, Le Biot, Magland, Moussy, Cluses, Brizon, Tournon, Poisy, Viuz-En-Sallaz, La Baume, Publier, Étrembières, Seytroux, Saint-Jeoire, Onnion, Annecy, Vacheresse, Thyez, Les Gets, Samoens, La Forclaz, Saint-Blaise, Sixt-Fer-À-Cheval, Alby-Sur-Chéran, Meillerie, Saint-Martin-Bellevue, Pringy, Thorens-Glières, Yvoire, Lathuile, Reignier-Esery, Saint-Julien-En-Genevois, Champanges, Montagny-Les-Lanches, La Balme-De-Sillingy, Cernex, Seynod, Sévrier, Scionzier, Sallanches, Saint-Cergues, Plateau Dʼassy, Metz-Tessy, Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Faverges, Cruseilles, Cran-Gévrier, Archamps, Annecy-Le-Vieux, Ambilly, Argonay, Brens, Le Reposoir, Mont-Saxonnex, Le Petit-Bornand-Les-Glières, Jonzier-Épagny, Saint-Paul-En-Chablais, Servoz, Rumilly, Bonne, Les Carroz-D'arâches, Les Contamines-Montjoie, Villy-Le-Pelloux, Ville-La-Grand, Veyrier-Du-Lac, Veigy-Foncenex, Thonon-Les-Bains, Talloires, Armoy, Vallières, La Chapelle-Rambaud, Ayse, Thénésol, Chanaz, Châtillon-sur-Cluses, La Tour, Anthy-Sur-Léman, Bogève, Montmin, Nancy-Sur-Cluses, Éloise, Seyssel, Viuz-La-Chiésaz, Saxel, Fillinges, Cuvat, Cons-Sainte-Colombe, Bossey, Machilly, Arthaz-Pont-Notre-Dame, Ville-En-Sallaz, Bonneville, Évires, Lucinges, Méribel, Mégevette, Essert-Romand, Sciez, Sales, Saint-Ferréol, Combloux, Cordon, Doussard, La Rivière-Enverse, Neydens, Gaillard, Cusy, Entrevernes, Entremont, Évian-Les-Bains, Giez, Andilly, Aviernoz, Thônes, Saint-Eustache, Vallorcine, Les Esserts, Faucigny, Arâches-La-Frasse, Lugrin, Neuvecelle, Bellevaux, Verchaix, Bernex, Annemasse, Taninges, Thollon, Vers, Duingt, Argentiere, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Leschaux, Saint-Jean-De-Sixt, Chatel, Saint-Jorioz, Passy, L'etale, La Chapelle-D'abondance, La Clusaz, La Roche-Sur-Foron, Le Grand-Bornand, Le Praz De Lys, Bonnevaux, Chavanod, Manigod, Saint-Félix, Burdignin, Draillant, Mûres, Douvaine, Messery, Saint-Pierre-En-Faucigny, Chessenaz, Lyaud, Novel, Bons-En-Chablais, Domancy, Viry, Bloye, Collonges-sous-Salève, Nâves-Parmelan, Habère-Lullin, Marcellaz-Albanais, Chens-sur-Léman, Maxilly-sur-Léman, Dingy-Saint-Clair, Larringes, Saint-André-de-Boëge, Cervens, Lovagny, Menthonnex-en-Bornes, La Vernaz, Cranves-Sales, Bluffy, Saint-Eusèbe, Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains, Saint-Jean-D'aulps, Les Houches, Les Praz-De-Chamonix, Megève, Montriond, Morillon, Abondance, Morzine, Praz-Sur-Arly, Margencel

For an overview of destinations in the wider region: Rhône-Alpes.