Evian-les-Bains is a small town located in the north of the Haute-Savoie department on the shores of Lake Geneva. The town has more than 9,000 inhabitants, known as évianais and évianaises.
A privileged geographical situation
Évian-les-Bains covers an area of 43 hectares at an altitude of between 370 and 740 metres. It is about ten kilometres from Thonon-les-Bains, 45 km from Geneva, 43 km fromAnnemasse and 90 km from Annecy. The commune of Evian-les-Bains has several villages and hamlets.
The neighbouring communes are Maxilly-sur-Léman, Neuvecelle, Larringes and Publier, as well as several villages in the Thonon agglomeration.
Evian is twinned with Neckargemünd in Germany and Benicasim in Spain. This town is famous throughout the world for its mineral water.
School and sports facilities
The town has five public nursery and primary schools and one private school. For secondary education, there is a private college, a public college and a high school. The town also offers after-school care in the morning and evening. School transport is provided by the Community of Communes of the Pays d’Évian-Vallée d’Abondance. Parents only pay the operating costs of the service by applying the family quotient.
Evian, a town of water opposite Lake Geneva, has a very high level of sports facilities:
- an Olympic swimming pool,
- a very modern harbour with 850 places,
- four multi-sports areas,
- a canoeing and kayaking base,
- a diving school(Plongée dans le Léman),
- a bowling alley,
- two sports centres (dance hall and gymnasium),
- a riding school,
- three gymnasiums dedicated to team sports,
- mini-golf,
- judo room,
- table tennis room,
- skate park.
Ideas for activities to visit Evian
We suggest some great outings to enjoy the spa town:
Travelling with the Evian funicular
Dating back to 1907, this funicular was used to transport people from the big hotels to the thermal baths (now the Palais des Lumières). Nicknamed the little metro of Evian with its ten stations. It was restored in 2002 and listed as a Historic Monument. Free of charge, it is open from 25/04 to 27/09.Address: rue du port, 74 500 Évian-les-Bains.
Visit the Jardin du Pré Curieux
On the edge of the lake, this 3.5 hectare park houses a magnificent colonial-style house rehabilitated by the landscape designer Laurent Dane. The water gardens have been awarded the“Remarkable Garden” label. It is an opportunity to discover beautiful koi carp in ponds where water lilies grow. School groups can visit the Jardin du Pré Curieux to learn about the fauna and flora of natural wetlands. Many salamanders and frogs can be observed. You can also sail on an electro-solar boat “L’Agrion”. Price: €12.60, €8.10 for children aged 6 to 11 and free for children under 6.
The many gardens, orchards, arboretums and landscaped paths in the municipality give this spa town its special charm.
You can also visit the Secret Gardens of Vaulx near Annecy if you are passionate about botany.
Sail on the sailing boat “La Savoie
This ship is a replica of a 35-metre long, lateen-sailed boat built in 1896. Initially, it was used to transport stones from the Meillerie quarries. The representation of navigation on Lake Geneva often borrows their characteristic silhouette. This replica was built in 1997 by volunteers. The cruises take place from 30/05 to 12/09. Price: 13 € for adults and 8 € for children from 6 to 12 years old.Address: 1 place du port de commerce, 74500 Évian-les-Bains.
Stroll along the quayside
This is an essential part of life in Evian. Next to the town centre, the quays allow you to stroll along while taking note of the information terminals which present Lake Geneva: its fish, its birds and the plant species which line this route. The walk is two kilometres long and takes one hour.Address: Place d’Allinges, 74500 Évian-les-Bains.
Top rated hotels
Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels in Evian-les-Bains that offer excellent value for money and have very good customer reviews:
Hilton Evian-Les-Bains
The Hilton hotel, located on the shores of Lake Geneva, is a magnificent 4-star hotel that offers its guests an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor swimming pool and a luxurious spa, access to which may be included depending on the room category. The spacious rooms are equipped with marble bathrooms andstart at € 142 per night.
Hôtel Royal d’Evian
Absolute luxury for this 5-star hotel: surrounded by a 47-hectare park that includes a golf course, 2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), the Evian Source spa with an aqua gym, hammam, sauna, jacuzzi and fitness rooms. A hotel shuttle service serves the city centre, the train station, the lake and the casino.From € 340 per night.
Hotel Ermitage
A 4-star hotel with 2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a complete spa, a whirlpool, a herbal tea room and a gym, 2 restaurants and a piano bar. There is a 4,000 m² children’s play area with indoor and outdoor activities. Private parking and shuttle bus.From € 228 per night.
Hotel Le Littoral
Very well located in the city centre and facing Lake Geneva, this 3-star hotel offers a sauna and a hammam. The restaurant “La Croisière” offers a gourmet stopover prepared with fresh local products. You can visit the town of Evian on foot from the hotel.
From € 98 per night.
Les Cygnes
This 3-star hotel is located in front of the lake and offers a splendid view. The harbour is 50 metres away. You can relax on the private beach, the terrace and the garden with its century-old vines. For children, a playground and miniature golf are available. The thermal baths are 800 metres away.
From € 93 per night.
Culture and heritage in Evian
The Garibaldi house is a place dedicated to the municipal historical archives and a tribute to the Vespasian archbishop. On 350 m², you can consult the archives and see the annual temporary exhibitions. Vespassien de Gribaldi was an eminent man of the Church who rubbed shoulders with Saint François de Salles by co-consecrating him as bishop on 8 December in the Church of Thorens.
The Palazzo delle Lumiere is a former spa, it has been restored to become an exhibition and conference centre. The architecture and decoration are well worth a visit.
The C.F. Ramuz media library located in the Palais des Lumières offers more than 56,000 documents including 6,000 comics and 3,600 DVDs.
The cinema Le Royal shows recent films at 12 rue Bernard Moutardier, 74500 Évian.
Many historical monuments can be visited: the Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, the castle of the Counts and Dukes of Savoy, the Hôtel Royal, the railway station and its glass roof.
The water of Evian
The famous mineral water of Evian is known worldwide for its qualities. Its history dates back to 1790 when, during a walk, the Marquis de Lessert drank water from the Sainte-Catherine fountain on the property of Mr. Cachat. The gentleman appreciated the water, drank it regularly and saw his health improve. The news spread and Monsieur Cachat began to sell the water from his spring. The King of Sardinia authorised its bottling. A mineral water company was created in 1829. Evian then took off with the construction of thermal baths, the casino and the theatre. Today, Evian water is consumed in many countries.
The Musical Meetings of Evian
This renowned chamber music festival was created in 1976 and for a long time was under the direction of the world-renowned cellist, Mstislav Rostropovich. The concerts take place at the Grange du Lac and the Casino Theatre in the Evian resort. It takes place every year over a week from the end of June to the beginning of July. Works by Schubert, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Brahms, Mozart and Bartok are performed. In addition to the concerts, master classes and lectures are offered during these meetings. The Grange du Lac is a wooden concert hall with perfect acoustics for enjoying chamber music concerts.
The markets of Evian
Every week, in the vicinity of the church, on the Place des Anciens Combattants, the town’s market is held every Tuesday and Friday from 8.30am to 12.30pm. On public holidays, there is no market, it takes place on Monday or Thursday. It is an opportunity to discover Savoy cheeses (Reblochon, Abondance and Tomme), fish from the lake and local craftsmen.
Public transport
The town offers three public transport networks that link the territory of the Thonon-Evian agglomeration:
- STAT offers daily bus services between the town and its outskirts (Neuvecelle and Maxilly) and Thonon-les-Bains.
- The PTI BUS is a public transport service that can be booked to pick you up at your home (for people with reduced mobility) to go shopping, to the doctor’s or for administrative procedures.
- The funicular, built in 1907, operates every day from 1 May to 26 September. It serves the Palais des Lumières, the Cachat refreshment bar and the Mateirons, with a terminus near the Grange du Lac.
Administrative services
- The Evian Town Hall is located at 2 rue de la source Clermont. It is open from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 11.30 am and from 1.30 pm to 5 pm except on Wednesdays when it closes at 6 pm. Official website: Mairie d’Évian
- The Tourist Office: located at Place de la porte d’Allinges. Official website: Évian Tourisme et Congrés
