Geneva is widely known for its international significance. Among its glazed streets are the headquarters of global organizations like the United Nations, which gives the city a premium, elegant feel.
Aside from Geneva’s own charms, its location on the French border makes it the ideal base for a road trip around France.
An Alpine adventure
If you adore Europe’s quaint towns, you’ll be in your element here. Some of France’s coolest places (in more ways than one) are over a thousand meters above sea level. Without doubt, the best way to take in locations this remote is with a rental car.
Annecy is the crowning jewel of the French Alps. With its crystal-clear lake sitting angelically beside medieval buildings, it provides a perfect photo opportunity all year round. If you’re visiting in the summer, its promenade is the place to be. Here you’ll see blooming geraniums lining the street, overlooked by its mountainous backdrop. The regional museums, 12th-century island prison and bike trails provide tourists with plenty to see and do aside from taking in the majesty of its location.
If you prefer your adventures on the wild side, head south to Vercors Regional Natural Park. This mountain plateau is a great place for horseback riding. There’s much more besides this to explore in the French Alps – including impressive caves and centers for thrilling sports like paragliding, climbing and canyoning.
Riding the slopes
Some of the best ski slopes are located around Chamonix, which is also home to ‘the queen of the Alps’, Mont Blanc. The slopes here are vertical and off-piste.
Beginners will love Val d’Isere in the Espace Killy ski zone. The slopes are lofty and windy enough to keep seasoned snow gliders entertained – and there are simpler courses for rookies, too. The valley is aglow with boutiques and premium chalets, making the resort ideal if you want luxury entertainment as a side-order to the sensation of the slopes.
Art, history and culture in Lyon
In the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region where the Rhone and Saone intersect, a beautiful city lies waiting to be explored. Lyon is around 90 minutes from Geneva Airport by road, making for a swift and easy transfer.
Vieux Lyon is the star attraction here. This medieval neighborhood crowns the riverside. When you’re wandering by, don’t miss snapping a shot of the astronomical clock at the city’s cathedral – this 14th-century masterpiece draws in huge numbers of visitors every year.
Lyon is saturated with museums and art, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere is no doubt one of the best. Its hilltop building has four octagonal towers and a sacred art museum. Many works date back to the Romantic era, which captured the hearts and minds of many Lyon-based artists in the 18th century.
Genevan sophistication
Back in Switzerland, there’s plenty you can see in a day in Geneva. This most elegant of cities boasts an iconic water fountain – the Jet d'Eau – one of its most famous landmarks.
It’s located on Lake Geneva, a crescent-shaped expanse of 224 square miles. Other highlights are the Palais des Nations park and the English garden. Daily tours are in 15 languages, attracting 100,000 visitors each year.
A little further along the Lake Geneva shoreline, the Montreux Riviera boasts a sheltered position surrounded by vineyards. This is a great place for relaxation, shopping or to visit the annual summer Jazz festival.
Rent a car at Geneva Airport’s French side to experience Francophile delights all around the city, the mountains, and beyond.
