Évian-les-Bains, France

Évian-les-Bains is a spa town on the French south shore of Lake Geneva in Haute-Savoie, about 45 km from Geneva by road and roughly one hour thirty minutes by seasonal CGN steamer. Boat fares are about CHF 30-40, and sailings run a few times daily in the warmer months, so checking the timetable is important. Driving costs around EUR 15 in fuel but passes through the French border and the long way around the lake. A passport or ID card is required. The town is best known for Évian mineral water, which filters through the Alpine slopes for many years before emerging from local springs. The lakefront promenade is lined with belle-époque buildings, flower beds and fountains, and the Buvette Cachat, a historic pavilion, allows visitors to taste the spring water for free. The Palais Lumière, a former thermal baths and casino building, now serves as an exhibition and cultural centre with changing art shows. The old town above the shore holds shops, cafes and the Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church. A relaxed one-day plan is to take a morning boat, stroll the lakefront, taste the spring water, visit the Palais Lumière, lunch on the quay on lake fish or Savoyard dishes, and return by the late afternoon steamer. Some visitors add a swim at the municipal beach or a ride on the small tourist train. The best months are May to September, when boats run frequently and the gardens are in bloom, while off-season visits offer a quieter, more thermal-spa atmosphere. Because the boat schedule limits the time on land, allow about four to five hours in town. Total costs are roughly CHF 50-80 for transport, a museum entry and lunch.