Evian-les-Bains is a genteel spa town set on the banks of Lake Geneva. Favoured by wealthy holidaymakers in the 19th century, the town is filled with elegant Belle Epoque architecture. Relax in the town centre, stroll along the flower-lined lakefront promenade and sip on mineral-rich water that’s spent 15 years flowing through the French Alps.
Things to do in Évian-les-Bains
Wandering around the town centre, you’ll be charmed by beautiful buildings like Palais Lumière. A Belle Epoque masterpiece, the former public spa has been reimagined as a space for contemporary art shows and cultural exhibitions.
Villa Lumière, now the Evian-les-Bains Town Hall, is another historic gem. It was built in the late 1800s by a well-heeled local family and will delight you with its sumptuous Art Nouveau façade and lavish interior. Evian’s Byzantine-style casino was built in 1911 and features card tables, slot machines and excellent restaurants.
Locals and visitors alike flock to Source Cachat to sip crystalline water from the French Alps. The outdoor taps are set beneath elaborate Neoclassical arches and provide free-flowing Evian water. Famous for its high mineral count and naturally occurring electrolytes, the water spends 15 years trickling through the mountains before arriving at Source Cachat. Across the street, the Buvette Cachat building features a beautiful Art Nouveau façade and houses exhibits on the origins of the world-famous water.
Restaurants across Evian-les-Bains champion traditional cuisine from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Try local specialties like whitefish caught in Lake Geneva and creamy fondue made with Reblochon cheese. Pair your meal with a glass of red from the Côtes du Rhône winemaking region.
Getting around Évian-les-Bains
Evian-les-Bains is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, a 2.5-hour drive from Lyon and one hour from Geneva in Switzerland. Trains run between Lyon and Evian-les-Bains in around 3.5 hours. Ferries connect Evian-les-Bains with other towns and cities along the lake, including Geneva and Lausanne.