The village of Yvoire lies on the shores of Lake Geneva, about an hour and a half from La Ravoire campsite. Thanks to its strategic geographical position, this fortified village was nicknamed “the sentinel of Lake Geneva”. Succumb to the charm of one of France’s best-flowered villages, famous for its traditional bulbous bell tower.
One of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages”, Yvoire is a pleasant place to stroll, from the boutiques of its cobbled streets to the waterfront, where white swans and cruise ships await. Guided tours of the medieval village allow you to learn more about Yvoire’s history and its strategic position on Lake Geneva. The Garden of the Five Senses draws its inspiration from this medieval past to offer rejuvenating landscaped areas, with plant mazes, parish priest’s gardens and rose gardens. The Maison de l’Histoire houses numerous documents shedding light on Yvoire’s past. In the medieval alleyways, craft stores alternate with art galleries. Lacemaking, basketry, crystalware, millinery, woodworking, designer groups, jewelry, regional products or pottery, many workshops open their doors and those of their stores. In the port, Compagnie Générale de Navigation cruise ships, including Belle Époque steam-powered models, await you for a meal and a cruise to Geneva. The company’s shuttle service takes you across the lake to the Swiss town of Nyon in just 20 minutes. From April to October, the port of Yvoire is also home to the Foué solar-powered shuttle, which invites you to embark on guided cruises around Yvoire. It also drops you off at the Rovorée and Châtaignière estates for a pleasant family afternoon.