Famous all over the world for its mineral water, the spa town of Évian-les-Bains has preserved beautiful buildings with old-world late 19th-century and early 20th-century charm, including the former Thermal Baths, Buvette Cachat pavilion, Casino, former luxury hotels and Villa Lumière where the town hall is located. This spa town is also a very pleasant water sports and seaside resort on Lake Geneva with its harbour, beach and flower-decorated shores.
The town of Evian is located on the south shore of Lake Geneva, backed by the foothills of the pre-Chablais Alps, north of the department of Haute-Savoie. Neighboring Switzerland is 13 km from the lake (Lausanne daily flights in 35 minutes) and 45 km from Geneva.
Climatic health resort, Evian is developing tourism at the beginning of the 19th century after the discovery of properties of its mineral water, now exported worldwide. Today, the station accepts the seasons different forms of tourism: beach, wellness and fitness, conferences and seminars, sports tourism, cultural tourism.
"Villa Lumière" (1885-1896):
Former summer residence of the Lyonnaise Lumière family (parents of the famous brothers inventors of the cinema), this sumptuous villa of French classic style inspired by the Renaissance, became the Town Hall in 1927.
Free visit of the lobby, the large lounge and the wedding lounge from 9h to 11h30 and from 13h30 to 17h, during the week.
Theater and Casino:
The theater (1883-1885) is neo-classical, directed by a student of Charles Garnier (master builder of the Paris Opera). With a capacity of 300 seats, he relives every summer with a program of comedies "boulevard" during the "Summer theatrical".
The Casino was built in 1911 by the architect J.A. Hébrard on the site of the castle of Blonay, bequeathed to the city in 1877 for the creation of a "house of games".
Church of Our Lady of the Assumption: Church of medieval origin, it contains frescoes, wooden stalls, statuary... To discover the way of the Cross of Peter Christin.
Funicular (1907-1913):
Its function was to transport guests from the large hotels located on the heights of Evian, to the source, the spa and spa (current Palais Lumière).
It runs for free every day from the last weekend of April until Heritage Days. Departure station at the back of the Palais Lumière.
Palais Lumière: Former thermal baths built between 1900 and 1902, this building typical of thermal architecture is today a cultural space (exhibitions and media library) and congresses.
Pre-Curious Water Garden:
This garden is located at the west entrance of Evian in a waterfront property of the lake. Research and communication unit on wetlands, it presents, through exhibitions and a route in the park, the different ecosystems related to water: pond, stream, marsh, wet meadow, delta...
The site is visited every day from May to September with a guide, access by solar boat (capacity 70 people) from Evian.
