At 372 metres above sea level, nestled between some of the highest peaks in Europe and far from any coastline, Lake Geneva is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. What the area in south-west Switzerland has to offer.
Deep blue and majestic, Lake Geneva rests at the foot of the Alps. Idyllic harbours, numerous castles and charming towns - all framed by the panorama of the Alps: Lake Geneva is a magnet for water sports enthusiasts, nature lovers, as well as those interested in culture and history. The Swiss mountain lake on the border with France attracts visitors with its excellent water quality and mild climate. The origin of its French name Lac Léman is Celtic and means "great water".
Quite an understatement. The 72-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped lake is the largest lake in the Alps. It is divided into the Petit Lac with towns such as Nyon and Geneva in the south-west, the Haut Lac with Montreux in the east and the Grand Lac, where the lake is the widest at 14 kilometres and the deepest at up to 310 metres. At 582 square kilometres, Lake Geneva is the largest lake in Western Europe. But in addition to all these superlatives, it is one thing above all else: an unbeatable scenic recreational area. The shores are lined with vineyards and Mediterranean-style sandy beaches, and the fantastic mountain panorama with the snow-capped peak of Mont Blanc rises up in the background.
The elegant, palm-fringed Swiss Riviera on the north side of the lake stretches from Lausanne to Montreux. The town of Évian on the French side is world-famous for its casino, cable car and famous mineral water spring. Not far away, the thermal town of Thonon-les-Bains is well worth a visit. Originally a traditional fishing village, it is still home to a small fleet of professional fishermen and has one of the largest marinas on the French side of the lake with 800 berths, including 58 guest berths.
The Port de Rives harbour in Thonon-les-Bains is also the first on Lake Geneva to join the Aqua-superPower network in May 2025. The 75 kW fast-charging station has two CCS2 connections, which can be used to charge two electric boats in 20 to 40 minutes. In total, there are more than 70 harbours around the lake.
The "capital of peace"
Geneva is a wonderful starting point for exploring the lake from the water. The city that gave Lac Léman its name, at least in German, is located at the south-western tip of the lake and Switzerland. Culturally and geographically, the city on the Rhone is closer to France than to Switzerland, but either way you get the feeling in Geneva that the inhabitants see themselves as "citizens of the world" and that nationality tends to play a subordinate role.
The "Capital of Peace" stands for its cosmopolitanism and is an international centre of diplomacy. It is home to over 100 international organisations. These include the European headquarters of the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). The Palais des Nations was the headquarters of the League of Nations until the 1940s and has been home to the European UNO since 1966. Some areas of the League of Nations Palace are open to the public, such as the Hall of Human Rights and the Alliance of Civilisations, where you can admire an impressive ceiling design created by Spanish artist Miquel Barceló. In front of the UN building on the Place des Nations stands the world-famous wooden monument "Broken Chair" by Swiss artist Daniel Berset - a twelve-metre-high three-legged chair that symbolises the fight against anti-personnel mines.
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At every corner, Geneva exudes the atmosphere of a cosmopolitan and - despite its rich history - young and modern city. All the languages of the world can be heard in the alleyways and cafés of the historic old town. The proportion of foreigners in Geneva's population is over 50 per cent. The old town of Geneva - incidentally the largest in Switzerland - is situated on an elevated position on the south bank of the Rhône. The best view of the city, the lake and the surrounding mountains is from the towering Saint-Pierre Cathedral. If you climb the 157 steps to the top of the north tower, you will be rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of La Rade, the bay of Geneva.
Visitors get their money's worth
Switzerland's second-largest city also stands for prosperity and is one of the ten cities in the world with the highest quality of life, but also the highest cost of living. In the centre, everything revolves around pleasure and luxury. Geneva's cobbled streets and alleyways are lined with splendid luxury department stores and expensive restaurants. Cosy little and affordable cafés can be found on the Place du Bourg-de-Four, Geneva's oldest square, which was already used as a marketplace in Roman times. It is the centrepiece of the old town and a popular meeting place for Genevans. An ideal place for a wine tasting or a visit to one of the antique shops or galleries before continuing towards the city's luxury centre. Rue du Rhône is one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world, with expensive jewellery and watches in the shop windows. Geneva is considered the cradle of the art of watchmaking. This ancient tradition is honoured with the famous flower clock in the English Garden, consisting of 6,500 flowers.
But even if you don't have a bulging wallet, you can still get your money's worth in Geneva. Several lakeside parks and bathing areas are available free of charge and in summer there is a wide range of open-air events and live music around the lake. Geneva is built around the water. No wonder that a large part of life takes place on and around the water. One of the most popular means of public transport are the mouettes, the yellow ferries that shuttle between the north and south shores. From time to time, there have been discussions and votes in favour of a bridge crossing. However, many Genevans are of the opinion that such a structure would destroy the unobstructed view of the lake. This is dominated by the Jet d'Eau, a 140 metre high fountain that can be seen from afar. The famous water fountain shoots 500 litres of water per second into the air at 200 kilometres per hour. A breathtaking sight. What few people realise: The city's landmark was not originally intended to be a fountain.
The water sports highlights
In 1886, the waterworks, which supplied Geneva's craftsmen and watchmakers with water power from the Rhône, was forced to create an open-air valve, as the water was over-pressurised when the machines stood still at night. Just a few metres from the imposing jet of water, the Bains des Pâquis attracts sun worshippers and those seeking relaxation. Here you can swim, hire pedalos and stand-up paddleboards or enjoy a sundowner in a beach bar.
Another water sports highlight of the city is the Rhône, which flows out of the lake at the Pont du Mont-Blanc bridge. On average, it takes over ten years for the water to cross the lake. When the floodgates are open due to heavy rainfall, the outflow is sometimes very strong. The annual average outflow is around 270 cubic metres per second. At the Pointe de la Jonction, the clear blue-green water of the Rhône meets the murky brown water of the Arve. A spectacular natural spectacle that is best observed from the bridge over the confluence. On the headland below, there is a landing stage for kayakers and rafting tours as well as a cultural centre with a bar and deckchairs. You can also observe a Swiss tradition here: river swimming. As in Zurich, Bern, Basel and Thun, the people of Geneva allow themselves to be carried long distances by the current. Wearing swimming trunks, they stroll upstream along the riverbank to jump into the cool water from a bridge or via a ladder. Or they float down the river on rubber dinghies, carrying their dry clothes in a waterproof bag for the journey home.
Whether pedal boating, rafting, water skiing or motor boating - Geneva is perfect for all kinds of water sports. Accordingly, many boat hire providers vie for the attention of tourists. However, despite the wide range on offer, it is not cheap. In principle, you can also arrive with your own boat. However, this is relatively expensive and of course not free of charge.
Boating in Geneva
Permits for temporary navigation on waterways in Switzerland - and a Swiss licence plate - can usually be obtained from the shipping office of the respective canton. In Geneva, registration costs 95 Swiss francs, the equivalent of just over 100 euros, and is valid from the date of issue until the end of the following month. However, a number of documents must be presented for registration, such as an EC declaration of conformity and an insurance policy with appropriate cover.
There are also additional costs for a technical inspection and noise measurement as well as for the short-term licence plate and taxes, which depend on the engine power of the motorboat or the length of the sailboat. However, as the daily prices for motorboats vary between 200 and 1,000 euros depending on the size and model, the expense can be worthwhile if you are planning a longer stay. And you should definitely do so in order to do justice to this multifaceted area.
Precinct information
Weather
The lake is exposed to the unpredictability of the mountains. Wind and weather can change quickly. The orange warning lights must be observed at all times. The MeteoSwiss app makes it possible to keep an eye on the wind, temperatures and weather. Bise and Föhn winds typically prevail. Bise is a cold, dry north-easterly wind that is particularly strong due to the canalisation between the Jura and the Alps by the lake. The Föhn is a warm downslope wind that occurs on the leeward side of the Alps when moist air masses rise and cool down. The Vaudaire is a strong to gale-force wind that occasionally flows from the south from the Alps through the Rhone Valley and the Chablais across the lake basin, sometimes causing considerable damage.
Navigation
Dangers on Lake Geneva are marked by spars. They bear a black, conical top sign with the tip pointing upwards if they are positioned on the land side of the hazard. If they are positioned on the seaward side, they bear a red, cylindrical top sign pointing upwards.
Harbours
There are mooring buoys in the harbours. Visitor berths are free of charge for up to three consecutive nights per month and harbour and are usually marked by an orange buoy and a sign on the pier. It is not possible to make a reservation.
- Port des Eaux-Vives: Geneva's largest harbour near the city centre with over 1,000 berths, right next to the Jet d'Eau water fountain. There are seven guest berths. Perfect for a stroll through the city centre, but also very popular with bathers and partygoers at night.
- Port Noir: east of the city centre, on the south bank. The Port Noir is the headquarters of the Société Nautique de Genève. Protected by several piers, this large harbour basin has over 600 berths.
- Port-Choiseul à Versoix: Justine Mettraux's home village on the north shore. A little further out and quieter. Holiday feeling guaranteed. 474 berths and 16 visitor berths.
- Port du Creux-de-Genthod: Popular anchorage with unbeatable views of Mont Blanc and an upmarket restaurant, about eight kilometres outside the town on the north shore. Two guest buoys from the restaurant on the jetty. And orange mooring buoys in the bay.
Literature
- "Carte marine du Lac Léman", Jean de Bosset/Bosco CH, EAN: 9995000016827, 36.90 euros
- "Guide des ports du Lac Léman", Bosco Yachting, EAN: 9782839941990, 34.90 euros, e.g. at freytagberndt.com
