Round The World and other travels
A frequent flyer's collection of trip diaries
July 2008 : Evian-les-Bains
A combination of a week's delay in starting a new work assignment, my usual urge to travel and some desperately disappointing summer weather at home led me to book this little trip less than 24 hours before it was due to start - a record for me, at least for a leisure trip! My destination was Evian-les-Bains in the Haute-Savoie region of France, an attractive spa town and home of the world-famous mineral water. It lies on the shore of Lac Léman, directly opposite the Swiss town of Lausanne. It has an excellent Hilton hotel, which was my base for this short visit. The town is perhaps not the easiest place to get to, the choice being between a rather convoluted rail journey involving a change of stations in Geneva, or a direct train to Lausanne and a ferry across the lake. I chose the latter option; apart from seeming the most straightforward, the pier in Evian is only metres away from the Hilton.
I thought it was a peaceful and attractive town that shared its neighbouring country's disposition towards cleanliness and orderliness. It might well make a good base - or at least stopping point - for wider touring, with both Switzerland and Italy fairly easily accessible. For scheduled public sailings on the lake, however, it's worth bearing in mind that all journeys start and finish with the point-to-point transfer to Lausanne-Ouchy, where connections to longer-distance services can be made.
Based at : Hilton, Evian
Linked reports from same trip :-
Lake cruise to Montreux
Flight Log LX333