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Thonon les Bains

Visit Thonon les Bains (Rhone-Alpes, France)

Thonon les Bains is an attractive town which  sits on the edge of Lake Leman. The town centre sits above the lake and its attractive port called Rives sits on the edge of Lac Leman - the biggest lake in Europe. Thonon les Bains is the capital of the area known as Chablais.

Exploring Thonon les Bains

The centre of Thonon les Bains sits up above Lake Leman and offers some splendid views of the lake and the port of Rives below. Its main attractions for the tourist lie in the lakeside activities however the centre of Thonon is pleasant and has an interesting mix of architecture.

The tourist office is housed in the Chateau de Sonnaz and as well as picking up some information about the town it is worth visiting the chateau for the splendid views you get over the lake, the port and the Chateau de Monjoux below. The 12th century Chateau de Sonnaz also houses the museum of Chablais.

Nearby is the Hotel de Ville and the Porte des Lambards, the only remaining part of the remparts of Thonon. Here also is the Chateau de Bellegard and the ancient tribunal of Thonan and which has various figures sculpted on its exterier.

The church is interesting as it is two churches - the eglise Saint Hippolyte in a baroque style and the basilique Saint Francois in a neo-gothic style. Take a look inside the Saint Hippolyte church and you will be amazed by its beautiful colourful interieur. The walls and ceilings are beautifully painted with scenes from the Ascencion and the life of Saint Hippolyte amongst others.

The Grande Rue passes by the church and continues past Thonon's oldest street, la rue Chante Coq which leads to the Chapelle de la Visitation which is now use for art exhibitions.

The heart of 'old' Thonon is the Place du Marché and, as well as a large pleasant square surrounded by a mix of Art nouveau and traditional Chablaisien architecture, there is the ancient monastery of the Visitation.

To get to the port of Rives on the lake-side you can take the funiculaire. This arrives at a beautiful funiculaire station built in the Belle Epoque style. You can also walk down to the lake if you are feeling energetic.

As well as the obvious attractions of walking along the lake shore or sitting in one of the cafés to drink a beer and watch the world go by there is a small fishing museum you can visit. This is in one of the old fishermen's houses and shows the evolution of fishing on the lake and has some aquariums with fish from the lake.

Many visitors come to Thonon for its health spa where you can relax in the thermal baths, have a massage or even a fish pedicure!

Close to Thonon les Bains

The Chatea de Ripaille where, as well as visiting the castle,  you can do some wine tasting or admire the arboretum is in walking distance. Walk along the Quai de Ripaille which is just next to the Quai de Rives.

Take a boat from Thonon les Bains to the beautiful Swiss towns of Montreux, Vevey and Lausanne.

Photos of Thonon les Bains

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Address: Thonon-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie, Rhone-Alpes, 74200 || GPS: latitude 46.362667, longitude 6.475

Map of Thonon les Bains & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Avoriaz 30km; Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval 41km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Thonon les Bains.
See Rhone-Alpes and Haute-Savoie (the region and department for Thonon les Bains) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Thonon les Bains, France

• Jardin d'eau de pré curieux - remarkable garden (9km)
• Evian-les-Bains - ville fleurie 4* (11km)
• Yvoire - most beautiful village (11km)
• Le Labyrinthe - Jardin des Cinq Sens - remarkable garden (11km)
• Cascade de la Diomaz - site of natural beauty (18km)
• Roc d'Enfer - site of natural beauty (22km)
• Mole - site of natural beauty (29km)
• Voltaire Chateau - national monument (31km)
• Col de la Faucille - site of natural beauty (35km)
• La Roche-sur-Foron - recommended detour (35km)

Market days in Thonon les Bains: Regular market(s) are held in Thonon les Bains each Thursday & Monday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)

The French version of this page is at Thonon les Bains (Francais)