Destination Léman
*a French organisation that brings together the most beautiful villages in France
The charm takes hold the moment you arrive, with the ramparts rising up before you, historic remnants of this former medieval stronghold. Built in a semicircle, stretching from one riverbank to the other, they protected the town from attacks from the land. You enter through one of the two medieval gates. It is here that your timeless escape begins…
Yvoire is best explored on foot, inviting you to stroll peacefully through the heart of the fortified enclosure as you discover its picturesque little streets. During your walk, you’ll discover the Church of Saint-Pancrace with its gleaming bell tower, the old houses with their flower-bedecked façades, and old barns… all against the backdrop of Lake Geneva.
Towering over the peninsula, the keep stands watch. Built in the 14th century by Amadeus V, Count of Savoy, the castle was intended to keep watch over the lake and control the road linking Geneva to the upper Rhône valley and Italy. Originally rectangular in shape and roofless, the building was ravaged by fire in 1591. Its current architecture, featuring a roof and corner watchtowers, is the result of renovation work undertaken by Félix Bouvier during the 20th century. Owned by the d’Yvoire family since the 17th century, only the castle’s former kitchen gardens, now laid out as a garden, are open to visitors.
Open to the public since 1988, the Jardin des Cinq Sens is a maze that awakens your senses. Every plant in the collection has been carefully selected; the garden aims to highlight the varied aspects of the plant world: scents, textures, flavours, shapes, colours, properties…
Why not set off on a cruise to explore the lake? (Please check cruise availability as it varies by season)
Continue your exploration beyond the walls of the medieval town and make a stop in Nernier. A romantic village with old-world charm, the ‘Pearl of the Lake’ also became known as the ‘Village of Painters’ in the 20th century. With its pretty, colourful houses and poets’ quotes carved into the stone, let yourself be charmed by the poetry of the place.
Walk to Nernier from Yvoire in 20 minutes via the Vegetti path, or the Chemin des Vaudois, which offers alternating views of the lake and picturesque landscapes.
Not far from Yvoire lies the Domaine de Rovorée La Chataignère, a large, sensitive natural area perfect for a stroll. Here you’ll find the traces of an old ditch and the remains of a surrounding wall, vestiges of an ancient fortress that has now completely vanished. La Chataignère is home to an exhibition space, L’espace Enchanté, as well as a forest with large trees dating back to the 15th century: ancient chestnut trees and giant sequoias.
Reach the estate on foot from Yvoire in 20 minutes via the greenway. Bicycles can be hired from the tourist office during the summer season.
Do you have any questions about Yvoire or the Lake Geneva region? Contact the tourist office on +33 (0)4 50 72 80 21
And for those little-known hidden gems, come and see us at one of our tourist information offices in Douvaine, Sciez and Yvoire!
PLAN YOUR STAY IN YVOIRE