Walk from Thonon-les-Bains to Yvoire through Châteaux des Allinges

Last spring, I went on a walk in Haute-Savoie near Lake Geneva (Lac Léman): Starting from Thonon-les-Bains, I walked to Yvoire, a small medieval town by the lake, passing through the Châteaux des Allinges (Castles of Allinges) on the way.

Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):

In the morning, I arrived in Thonon-les-Bains by train from Annecy. From the train station in Thonon, I first made a detour to have a look at Lake Geneva from Parc du Belvédère. I also visited Basilique Saint-François-de-Sales and Eglise Saint-Hippolyte. I then started on the path to the Châteaux des Allinges, which are located on top of a hill that could be seen from far away. The first castle, Château d’Allinges-Vieux, is mostly ruins. The biggest feature remaining is the fortified wall that faced the other castle right next door (which belonged to a rival). There is a viewpoint with a great view on Lake Geneva and the Chablais mountains. Nothing much remains of the second castle, Château d’Allinges-Neuf, except the entrance gate. On top of the ruins, there is now a chapel dedicated to Saint François de Sales, who had stayed at the castle during his mission to reconvert the Chablais region to catholicism. There is also a pretty good view from that castle. I then started walking towards Lake Geneva. I reached Sciez and the Golfe de Coudrée after a while and then the large beach of Excenevex. Finally, I walked the last leg to Yvoire taking a dirt road through some fields. In Yvoire, there were quite a lot of people, even though it was not yet summer. To get back to Annecy, I first took a LIHSA bus to Thonon-les-Bains, then the train from there.

Above, tunnel in Thonon-les-Bains, walking from the train station towards Lake Geneva.

Above, marina and Lake Geneva.

Above, Swiss Jura on the other side.

Above, the Basilique Saint-François-de-Sales and the Eglise Saint-Hippolyte are basically the same building.

Above, Basilique Saint-François-de-Sales, built in the 19th century.

Above, Eglise Saint-Hippolyte, built in the 12th century.

Above, back at the train station, crossing the tracks.

Above, highway. The Châteaux des Allinges can be seen the background.

Above, Bois de Lonnaz.

Above, Châteaux des Allinges.

Above, goats in Allinges.

Above, I had to climb that hill to reach the castles.

Above, gate of Château-Vieux.

Above, Chablais mountains.

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Above, fortified wall.

Above, Thonon-les-Bains.

Above, Golfe de Coudrée.

Above, the other castle, Château-Neuf.

Above, thick wall.

Above, to the second castle.

Above, gate.

Above, chapel.

Above, Château-Vieux.

Above, leaving the castles.

Above, a couple of donkeys.

Above, Lake Geneva in Sciez.

Above, small beach.

Above, marina.

Above, entering the Domaine de Guidou.

Above, Dent d’Oche in the background.

Above, hut for bird observation. Unfortunately, when I visited, there was absolutely no birds to be seen.

Above, sand beach in Excevenex.

Above, on the way to Yvoire.

Above, tower of Eglise Saint-Pancrace in Yvoire.

Above, one of the two gates of Yvoire, Porte de Rovorée.

Above, tourist shop.

Above, inside the church.

Above, Château d’Yvoire.

Above, ripples on Lake Geneva.

Above, the castle from the other side.

Above, Porte de Nernier.

Above, sheep on the way to the bus stop.

Above, train station in Thonon-les-Bains.

Above, waiting for the connection at the Annemasse train station.