Genolier: Forest Reserve, Hiking Trails and Village History

Genolier combines nature and hiking with a distinctive village character. The Bois de Chênes forest reserve and the historic Ferme offer a different perspective from the Romanesque church and its bell tower in the village centre. There are also specific options to consider when planning a hike: the full Sentier des Toblerones has a stated distance and approximate walking time, while a shorter route starts in Genolier. This makes it possible to plan your stay around the landscape, architectural history and time available.

Forest Reserve and Historic Heritage

The Bois de Chênes forest reserve now covers about 130.6 hectares. The Ferme du Bois de Chênes is located within the nature reserve, in the middle of a large clearing. In the architectural survey of the Canton of Vaud, the Ferme was assigned rating 2, making it a building of regional interest. It has been classified as a historic monument since 1961. The two designations refer to different aspects of the building: its architectural assessment and its protected status. Guided tours of the nature reserve can be requested year-round for groups of adults or young people. As visits are by request, it is advisable to confirm booking details before your trip.

Hiking Trails and Trip Planning

The full Sentier des Toblerones is an easy 17.9-kilometre route with a walking time of about five hours. A shorter route starts in Genolier on the Nyon–St-Cergue railway line. If you plan to walk the entire trail, you can consider its distance, difficulty level and approximate duration together; for the shorter route, the starting point in Genolier is the relevant landmark. The Sentier des Toblerones is named after a line of fortifications built during the mobilization of 1939 to 1945. The Chemin au Loup starts at St-Cergue railway station and has a rest area with views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. The Bois de Chênes nature reserve can be reached by train via Genolier. When choosing a hiking day, you can therefore decide whether the walking time for the entire route or a named starting point is more important; the Chemin au Loup also features a viewpoint.

Village Layout and Local History

Genolier is considered a clustered village: it has an irregular layout and is densely grouped around a central square. In the village centre, a Romanesque church and its bell tower stand on a hill. This elevated position makes the site a prominent landmark in the village centre. The church thus adds a distinctive architectural feature in the village core to the nature and hiking perspective. Genolier was first mentioned in 1110 under the name Genolliacum; this early name adds a historical reference to the village as it is today. Genolier is located on the road between Nyon and Arzier. In 2009, agriculture accounted for 44.8 percent of the municipal area and forest for 35.3 percent. This dated breakdown of land use adds a broader perspective on the municipality’s land use at the time to the picture of the individual forest reserve. The figures describe different scales: the individual protected area and land use across the municipality as a whole.

Discover more destinations: Commugny, Saint-George, Vich, Essertines-Sur-Rolle, Bogis-Bossey, Begnins, Coinsins, Duillier

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