Perched on the French shore of Lake Geneva, Yvoire is a picturesque medieval, walled village known as one of the most beautiful in France and famed for its flower lined narrow streets. There are restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and art galleries to browse, as well as landscaped gardens to explore. Located just a short drive from Geneva and the surrounding mountain resorts or a boat ride from other points along Lake Geneva, Yvoire is perfect for a day visit. This guide outlines all there is to see and do in Yvoire.
You may also be interested in our other guides: ‘The best things to do in Chamonix in summer’ and ‘The 5 best things to do in Annecy’.
Getting to Yvoire
The easiest way to get to Yvoire is either by car or ferry:
By car
- The journey from Geneva to Yvoire takes approximates 40 minutes.
- From Chamonix and other ski resorts in the Haute Savoie region such as Avoriaz, Moraine, La Clusaz, and Megève, the journey takes just over 1 hour.
If you come to Yvoire by car, you will need to park in one of the 5 car parks located just outside of the walled village as it is pedestrianised. The car parks are paid for costing around €5 for 3 hours.
Ferry
- You can catch a ferry to Yvoire from several places along Lake Geneva, including Nyon, Lausanne and Geneva, with several sailings throughout the day. Tickets can easily be purchased from the ferry terminal or online here.
When to go
Yvoire is beautiful year round, though it is best to go on a sunny day to appreciate the clear blue waters of the lake and the colourful display of flowers.
- Certain businesses and attractions such as the Garden of Five Senses close in the winter months between October and April.
- Busloads of tourists come here so it can get busy in the summer months from midday.
What to do in Yvoire
The best way to experience Yvoire is by taking a leisurely stroll through the village. The fortified medieval centre is pedestrianised, so you can enjoy wandering the narrow streets without any cars. Within the centre the historic buildings are covered in extraordinary colourful floral displays, and the cafes and boutiques invite you in with their old-fashioned charm. As you wander the streets you will catch glimpses of the Chateau d’Yvoire (the privately owned castle) and beyond that, the tranquil, turquoise waters of Lake Geneva. Pause in the villages’ quaint square to be taken back to a bygone era, before heading to Yvoire’s two marinas: one is the smaller and older marina located next to the Chateau d’Yvoire, and on the other side is the larger ferry terminal.
Visit the Jardin des Cinq Sens (Garden of Five Senses)
Jardin des Cinq Sens found in the centre of the village, is home to various plants and landscaped features inspired by the Middle Ages and as the name suggests, invites you to discover your senses. Within the grounds there are eight gardens in total each themed around smell, touch, and taste.
- The garden is open to visitors between April to October.
- Tickets can be purchased in person or online and cost €14.
Check out the fortified medieval gates and Chateau d’Yvoire
Yvoire was fortified in the early 14th century by Amédée V, Count of Savoy, to protect the village from potential invasions and to control the vital waterways of Lake Geneva.
The best places to see the fortifications are the two gates to the medieval village, Porte de Nernier and Porte de Rovoree and Chateau d’Yvoire. You can’t access inside the Chateau, but there are many places throughout the village to enjoy the castle from the outside and take photos.
Have lunch at one of the many restaurants
There are several good restaurants in Yvoire where you can try the local delicacies of the region and the lake.
- Hotel Restaurant du Port – located on the water’s edge near the ferry terminal with a terrace overlooking the lake. Try the charcuterie board for local cured meats and cheese, Lake Geneva’s very own perch with citrus sauce, and the perfectly presented trio of desserts.
- Les Jardins du Leman – located in the centre of the village with a panoramic terrace overlooking the village. The menu evolves with the seasons and uses fresh, local home-made produce.
Enjoy a boat trip on Lake Geneva
Take a cruise to another part of the lake to see the surrounding area and enjoy the scenery from the water.
- The most frequent boat trip is the ferry service between Yvoire and Nyon on the Swiss side of the lake.
- In summer in addition to the ferry services, pleasure boats connect Yvoire with other lake villages including Excenevex, Sciez, and Margencel-Anthysur-Leman.
- Tickets can be purchased from the ferry terminal ticket station.
Relax by the water’s edge
Head to Yvoire marina, the smaller of the two marinas (the other one being the ferry dock) and admire the comings and goings of sailing boats with a backdrop of Chateau d’Yvoire, while listening to the sound of the water gently lapping the shore.
