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Circuit découverte : Les Monts du Genevois

Road in Annemasse

163.1 km

Road

Easy

A nature trail that takes you to the 3 Geneva mountains: the Salève, the Voirons and the Vuache. Just a few minutes from downtown Switzerland, on the French side, the Monts du Genevois offer you a trip to the summit!

Departure

Annemasse
Difference in height

3312.13 m
Plain text period

From 01/01 to 31/12. In winter the Col de la Croisette is closed.
Documentation
- GPX Trace
GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)

Accepted customers
- Individuals

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Points of interest

1 Lake Machilly

2 Filenvol

3 Viewpoint: L'Observatoire

4 L'Observatoire

5 Shedrub Choekhor Ling Buddhist Temple

6 Viewpoint: Le grand Piton

7 Château des Avenières

8 Le Grand Parc d'Andilly

9 Le Hameau du Père Noël

10 Maison du Salève

11 Sainte Victoire oratory Viewing point

12 Sainte Victoire Oratory

13 Atout Pom'74

14 Fort l'Écluse

15 La Fromagerie

16 Monts du Genevois - Tourist information center

17 UCPA Vitam

18 Téléphérique du Salève - cable car

1 Lake Machilly

With its source in the Voirons massif, the Foron is a waterway which crosses the Annemasse region from end to end. It crosses wet zones, agricultural plains, meadows, villages and also cities.

2 Filenvol

An artistic, ludic, sportif tree-themed landscaped area where you will find a Parcabout (aerial playground) and a Parcadrone drone-flying zone (open since May 2018) and lots of laughs. Parcabout: Ride catamaran nets in the trees between 3 and 15 metres above the ground, freely and safely!

Parcadrone: A space for discovering, learning and playing in the world of drones, with modules and structures for training and perfecting piloting skills.

You'll also find a snack bar, a petanque pitch, hammocks for lounging, games, armchairs, tables, a drone piloting area, a sculpture exhibition, toilets, etc...

3 Viewpoint: L'Observatoire

Above the plain of the Genevois, an impressive view of Geneva harbour and its Jet d'Eau. The Jura in front of you.

4 L'Observatoire

At the summit of Mount Salève, the Observatoire offers you a traditional, simple but generous cuisine. Relax over a cup of real hot chocolate, just like you can at grandma's At the summit of Mount Salève and twenty minutes' walk from the cable car station, you will find what you need to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger. In the sunshine or curled up on a sofa, you are guaranteed a relaxing time. And especially look out over the 360-degree view of our beautiful region.... Not to be missed!

5 Shedrub Choekhor Ling Buddhist Temple

Located on Mont Salève in Haute-Savoie, 25 mins from Geneva, the Shedrub Choekhor Ling Buddhist Monastery opened in September 2010 and was inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama on 12 August 2011. Open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday. The name given to it means ‘The Garden of the Wheel of the Dharma for Teaching and Practice’.

6 Viewpoint: Le grand Piton

Le Grand Piton is the highest point of Le Salève offering a view mainly focused on the Genevois region and Jura. The tower was built between 1820 and 1830 by Claude-François Bastian, a wealthy notary and mayor of Frangy. Prior to the construction of this tower, this small plateau on the edge of the cliff, which features some of the Salève's finest lapiaz, was home to a 14th-century lookout post.
At the foot of the tower to the north-east, you can enjoy finding a cartouche engraved on the limestone with the names of Lord Byron and Lamartine.
Also on this site is Rocher de la Sorcière, a large limestone boulder popular with climbers, whose shape evokes a stern-looking old woman.

7 Château des Avenières

This early 20th-century country house has a sense of calm and harmony. Enjoy its sumptuous drawing rooms and fine dining prepared by Marc Le Roux. 60-hectare estate, panoramic view of the mountains from Mont Blanc to the lake at Annecy. Avenières will please even the most discerning palates. Set in 60 hectares of grounds in Haute-Savoie, this unusual place was built in 1907 for an eccentric couple. After it became a hotel, it retained many of its original features such as the chapel with its gold mosaics. The outstanding surroundings, bedrooms steeped in spellbinding charm, creative elegant cuisine and exceptional amenities providing a sense of real well-being allow guests to pay homage to the best things in life with a sense of poetry, romanticism and sheer passion.

8 Le Grand Parc d'Andilly

It is in the middle of a magnificent forest that you will meet the scarecrows. These strange characters stay there all summer and invite us to discover their mysterious and entertaining world. Start by discovering a multitude of these chaps who share their daily life with us. Then, in the middle of hundreds of colourful flowers, all ages can have fun and a great laugh with a life-size game of snakes and ladders. Beware - the children are champions at this game. But revenge is possible with the giant Mikado! The day continues with lots of other discoveries: the giant and his rocking horses, the maze, a musical village…
A day out in a dreamy setting...
- 8 hectares of lush, green forest with a stream ""Le Nant Trouble""
- here and there shaded clearings and ponds
- home to some one hundred animals: pigs, sheep, donkeys, goats, reindeer, geese, ducks...
Then it’s time for a show, with the owl contest or Amadeus, a musical show...
Snacks served in the tavern on-site or bring a picnic.

9 Le Hameau du Père Noël

Explore the home of Father Christmas and his elves, Mother Christmas, Father Whipper and the Attic of Dummies all year round! There is lots to do in this magical world at any time of year, but the magic of Christmas is always at the heart of everything. Father Christmas has chosen to live in Savoie and has opened his home to you. Find out about his daily life by visiting his workshop, kitchen and bedroom... Places that have until now been kept secret, but which are now unveiled before your very eyes...
A bit further on you enter another world, that of his twin brother, Father Whipper! Much nicer than he seems, he will also show you his clean and tidy home.
Finally, to complete the family, one of the Mother Christmases has opened the doors to her cottage to show you a third, feminine, world of Christmas.
Finally, the latest arrival, the Sandman has arranged an Attic of Dummies for Father Christmas which is completely dedicated to this childhood object.
To complete the magic, there is a crêperie and souvenir shop.
Open all year, don’t hesitate to check the opening times and seasonal events. Father Christmas, Mother Christmas and the Sandman appear regularly to meet you and tell plenty of stories.

10 Maison du Salève

Maison du Salève is a lively, friendly place where you can explore the history and heritage of the Salève mountain through exhibitions, workshops, guided tours, discovery trails, lectures, and even birthday parties. Located in the countryside at Présilly, Maison du Salève offers unusual activities connected to its exhibitions, including guided tours, workshops, lectures and nature trails. Walks suitable for people of all ages start from the Maison, including the ‘In the footsteps of the Carthusians’ discovery trail, the pilgrim route to Santiago da Compostela, and the Chemin des Convers, which takes you to summit of the Salève.

The Maison du Salève’s eco-boutique features local artisans, food producers and writers.

11 Sainte Victoire oratory Viewing point

200m from the oratory, discover a beautiful view over Jura Montains and Rhone river According to the legend it was built by a peasant girl after she saw her barn miraculously filled with hay.

12 Sainte Victoire Oratory

Nestled at the west top of Mount Vuache, above Chevrier, the chapel (or oratory) dedicated to Sainte Victoire is the end point of a pleasant walk through the forest. According to the legend it was built by a peasant girl after she saw her barn miraculously filled with hay.

13 Atout Pom'74

Atout Pom has 75 acres of orchards on the slopes of the Vuache mountain and benefits from a specific microclimate. We favour natural protection for our crops, which are organic and are produced using integrated fruit production methods. We grow more than 15 varieties of apples and 5 varieties of pear, chosen for their eating quality. Each year we harvest 1,000 tonnes of apples and 200 tonnes of pears.

14 Fort l'Écluse

Concerts, festivals, events and exhibitions, enjoyed by thousands of visitors, make Fort l'Ecluse an unmissable place to discover and enjoy... Well beyond the borders of Pays de Gex. Perched high above the Rhône, Fort l'Ecluse dominates the horizon. Over 700 years old, it has many stories to tell. Come and discover them on guided or self-guided tours, through the fascinating scenography of the “Au cœur de la Cluse” exhibition and the spectacular sound and light show “Fort l'Ecluse: 20,000 years of history”. Something for everyone! Thanks to its immersive exhibitions, plunge “Into the heart of the storm” and “Discover the little rhinolophes”, the bats of the Fort. This year, 2 new temporary exhibitions: “Intimité sauvage”, fantastic animal photos by Adrien Favre and “Gendarmes résistants dans l'Ain, le choix de l'impossible” by the association Mémoires de l'Ain 1939 - 1945. Summer events include the 12th edition of the Jazz in Fort l'Ecluse festival, classical concerts by the Soloist Academy, Nuit des étoiles, historical re-enactments... And for those who want to get active, there are a number of sporting activities: an adventure course with a breathtaking view at the upper Fort, a free-access via ferrata and hiking trails. And let's not forget the challenge of obtaining the famous staircase diploma: climbing the 830 steps of the underground gallery linking the Lower Fort to the Upper Fort.

15 La Fromagerie

A former cheese farm has been divided into two sections: one is a shop to discover and buy the cheeses and meats on offer, and the other is a restaurant to taste the regional specialities. The Fromagerie is open for breakfast, lunch or dinner, offering hearty meals with a traditional added touch of the Savoyarde region. Come and visit the shop and buy some local products to make a picnic or to taste and share with friends and family when you go back home. (Cheese, deli meats, bread, pastries, groceries, local newspapers)

16 Monts du Genevois - Tourist information center

We welcome you within Vitam in a bright and spacious place where you will find a lot of flyers on our territory of Saint Julien, the Genevois and all the department Haute-Savoie. You can also find all the events in the territory on our schedule! We propose various services like:

- A trilingual reception service
- Topographic guides for sale
- Available documents from 8 am to 10pm even if the reception is closed
- Wifi access

17 UCPA Vitam

A unique leisure centre, 30 minutes from Annecy and 15 minutes from Geneva. It brings together many leisure options within one space (Aquatic, Vitam'Ludic, Wellbeing & Spa, Fitness, racket sports and climbing), a shopping gallery and restaurants The region's largest aqua centre offers you fun, multi-track slides (4 indoor, 5 outdoor) a fun paddling pool, a swimming pool, and a balneotherapy area heated to 33°, for all the family, with a torrent river and bubble beds to delight everybody. During the summer, bring the family to take advantage of outdoor leisure activities: grassy beaches and the beach volleyball court! Family rate 15% off (minimum 4 paid entries including one adult and one child).
The latest generation Fitness area gives you an opportunity to vary your pleasures with a climbing hall with natural light, 8 squash and badminton courts, and a set of 110 fitness machines to keep you in trim.
The Well-being & Spa area is a place apart, entirely dedicated to well-being and escape. From the moment you enter this haven of peace, everything invites you to let go of your tension. Relax completely as you pass through the hydro-jets of a vast balneotherapy pool that opens onto a beautiful Mediterranean garden. Around you is a peaceful environment of saunas, hammams, pools heated to different temperature, a rest room and a tea room... Access to the pool area is included in your entry to the well-being area.
To continue your de-stress, Vitam's shopping galley offers retail therapy. Come and discover 20 chill-out shops (home décor, fashion, beauty and well-being), a variety of restaurants, an Ibis Styles hotel that will prolong your well-being through to the early hours, and also the new Migros supermarket where you'll find all our regional products.

18 Téléphérique du Salève - cable car

Take to the skies in a cable car! A journey through nature, culture and leisure. The Salève cable car welcomes you with new areas and a new range of services. Discover the most beautiful view around Lake Geneva, an extraordinary panorama of the Geneva countryside, the city of Geneva and Lake Geneva.
Don't miss this place where sport, culture and nature come together. During your visit, take advantage of the 150m² museum area to learn all about the Salève and the cable car (free guided tour Monday to Friday at 11am), the Café 1100 for a gourmet break, and a climbing wall over 20m high (paying, by reservation).

We'll have to wait a few months to discover the playground (summer 2025).

Other activities, such as the climbing wall, paragliding area, esplanade, museo and children's activities, are available now!

Find out more about the fascinating history of this facility on the tourist office website <a target="_blank" href="https://www.montsdegeneve.com/a-voir-a-faire/culture/legendes-histoires-locales/le-telepherique-du-saleve/">https://www.montsdegeneve.com/a-voir-a-faire/culture/legendes-histoires-locales/le-telepherique-du-saleve/</a>

3312 meters of difference in height

Maximum altitude : 1415 m
Minimum altitude : 342 m

Total positive elevation : 3312 m
Total negative elevation : -3312 m
Max positive elevation : 524 m
Min positive elevation : -255 m