Thonon-les-Bains is the capital of the Chablais, a real town set on the south shore of Lake Geneva. A lively sub-prefecture and thermal spa town, it plays on two levels: the upper town, with its squares, shops and lake-view belvedere, and the Port de Rives below, its fishing port and marina, linked by a funicular. Between heritage, water and gastronomy, it’s a complete stop, more urban than its mountain neighbours.
Forty-five minutes from Geneva, Thonon lives year-round. You come for the lake and its boats, for the thermal town and its way of life, for the Ripaille castle and its vineyards, and to range out to Évian, Yvoire and neighbouring Switzerland. It’s also the gateway to the Chablais mountains.
Here is how to enjoy it.
In brief
- Altitude: 430 m, on the south shore of Lake Geneva (the largest lake in Western Europe).
- Identity: capital of the Chablais, a thermal town and port on Lake Geneva.
- Access: ≈ 45 min from Geneva airport; a station in town; boats to Switzerland.
- Best season: May–September for the lake and terraces; all year for the town and the spa.
- Don’t miss: the Port de Rives and its funicular, the Ripaille castle, the lake belvedere, a cruise.
The lake and the Port de Rives
Lake Geneva gives Thonon its horizon. From the upper town, the belvedere and the gardens offer a plunging view over the water and, across it, Switzerland. Below, the Port de Rives gathers the fishing port, the marina and the landing stage, linked to the town by a historic funicular. It’s from here that the lake’s ferries depart and that the pleasures of the lake play out. Details on the Lake Geneva at Thonon page.
The thermal town and the heritage
Like its neighbour Évian, Thonon is a water town: its springs feed a thermal establishment and the town keeps a holiday-resort atmosphere. Heritage abounds: the Saint-François basilica, the old town, and above all the Ripaille castle, a former residence of the Counts of Savoy by the lake, surrounded by vineyards (the Ripaille AOC) and an arboretum. A town visit helps read this history.
What to do in Thonon-les-Bains
- Visiting the town: the thermal town, the Port de Rives, the funicular, the Ripaille castle.
- Lake Geneva: cruises, the fishing port, swimming and boats to Switzerland.
- Excursions: Yvoire, Évian and neighbouring Switzerland, on a guided outing.
- Range out: the Chablais mountains (Morzine, Bellevaux) and the Giffre valley are within reach.
Where to stay
Thonon offers an urban, varied range, often more affordable than the resorts: town-centre hotels, guesthouses, rentals near the Port de Rives. It’s a practical, economical base to explore Lake Geneva and the Chablais, with everything on site. We compare available stays at the best rates below.
Where to eat
The table looks to the lake: fish of Lake Geneva (whitefish, char, perch) at the Port de Rives, and the Savoie wines of the nearby slopes, including Ripaille. The upper town lines up markets and terraces, and the port is the ideal spot for a lunch facing the water.
Getting there
- By car: ≈ 45 min from Geneva along the south shore.
- By train: Thonon-les-Bains station, connected via Geneva and the Chablais line.
- By boat: the lake’s ferries link Thonon to the Swiss shores (Lausanne, Geneva) and to Évian.
- By plane: Geneva airport ≈ 45 min.
When to come
- May–September: the lake’s high season. Cruises, swimming, terraces at the Port de Rives.
- April and October: the mild shoulder season, ideal for the town, the spa and Ripaille.
- All year: the town doesn’t close. Spa, heritage and boats can be enjoyed off-season.
Good to know
Thonon or Évian? Two neighbouring water towns on Lake Geneva. Thonon is larger and more urban, with its Port de Rives and the Ripaille castle; Évian leans more on chic spa life and Belle Époque architecture. They’re easily visited together.
Do you need a car? Not for the town and the lake: walkable centre, funicular, boats. A car helps for ranging out to Yvoire or the mountains.
How long to stay? A day for the town and the lake; more as a base to explore the Chablais and Switzerland.
Thonon with children? The Port de Rives, the funicular, the boats and the lake beaches are a big hit with families.
Nearby
Thonon is the gateway to the Chablais and Lake Geneva. Évian-les-Bains is ten minutes away; Yvoire, a listed medieval village, holds the shore to the west; and the mountains (Morzine, the Giffre valley) are within a day’s reach. Across the water, Switzerland: Lausanne, Nyon, Geneva.