The town of Divonne-les-Bains is north-east of Geneva (20 kilometres away), on the border between France and Switzerland and in the Ain department in a picturesque region with both Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) and the Jura mountains close to hand, and the scenery of the Pays de Gex region to enjoy.
Explore Divonne-les-Bains
France This Way review: visitors come here for the spa, casino and surrounding countryside, and although Divonne-les-Bains lacks important monuments and great architecture it is a pleasant town to pursue these activities.
Established during the 19th century as a popular spa town, Divonne has reinforced its tourist appeal in the last few decades with further facilities such as a golf course. The most popular facilities within the town include the spa itself and also the casino (you can see the impressive art deco entrance to the casino when you visit!)
Visitors also enjoy visiting the substantial man-made lake at Lac de Divonne, offering further leisure facilities and a chance to see the wide range of birds attracted by the environment.
One of the main monuments in the town is the Chateau de Divonne, a substantial 18th century castle built on the site of an earlier castle, of which traces can still be seen in the extensive parkland (there is a small doorway that once allowed access through the fortifications that originally surrounded the medieval castle). The castle has now been converted into an upmarket hotel.
Continuing with the theme of personal pleasure and relaxation, in Divonne-les-Bains you will also find several high quality restaurants and speciality food shops.
If you are planning a walking trip be sure to visit the Divonne-les-Bains tourist office when you arrive for lots of information about routes. The most popular trails are around the lake and along the Divonne river. The Tourist Office also lead a couple of guided walks during the summer months.
The weekly market in Divonne-les-Bains takes place on a Sunday.
Attractions nearby
Many visitors come to Divonne-les-Bains to enjoy the countryside nearby and there are many marked trails and places where you can walk through fields and woodlands, with the Jura mountains ever present on the horizon. There are also more than 30 natural springs in the immediate vicinity and the attractions of the lake to enjoy.
Lake Geneva is to the east of Divonne-les-Bains and the Natural Regional Park of the Haut-Jura to the west. Both areas are very picturesque to explore, with one of our personal favourite excursions being the village of Yvoire on the eastern shores of lake Geneva.
You can find more travel ideas in the Ain guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.
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Map of Divonne-les-Bains and places nearby
Visit near Divonne-les-Bains with France This Way reviews
Yvoire
The village of Yvoire on the banks of Lake Geneva is extraordinarily pretty and one of our personal favourite French villages
Yvoire guide
Thonon les Bains
Tourist activity here at Thonon-les-Bains on Lac Leman is based around the lakefront, views across the lake, boat-trips across the lake...
Thonon les Bains guide
Evian
Evian is a very lovely town, also well known as a spa town and for the bottled water from here that is famous worldwide
Evian guide
Abondance
It will be the mountain scenery around Abondance that dominates your visit, but be sure to also visit the Saint abbey and its cloisters in the town
Abondance guide
Morzine
Morzine is a popular ski resort within the Portes du Soleil ski region in the northern Alps
Morzine guide
Avoriaz
The use of local materials for building and the stunning location make Avoriaz one of the most popular Alpine ski resorts
Avoriaz guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Ain
Address: Divonne-les-Bains, Gex, Rhone-Alpes, 1220, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 46.356667, longitude 6.142778
Plan your visit to Divonne-les-Bains, Ain
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Col de la Faucille: site of natural beauty (10 km)
- Voltaire Chateau: national monument (12 km)
- Lac de Lamoura: site of natural beauty (13 km)
- Yvoire: most beautiful village (14 km)
- Le Labyrinthe - Jardin des Cinq Sens: remarkable garden (14 km)
- Lac des Rousses: site of natural beauty (17 km)
- Haut-Jura: regional natural parc (18 km)
- Cascade de la queue de cheval: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Lac de l'Abbaye: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Lacs d'Étival: site of natural beauty (31 km)
- Cascade de la Diomaz: site of natural beauty (32 km)
- Lac de Bonlieu: site of natural beauty (33 km)
Market days in Divonne-les-Bains, France
Regular market(s) are held in Divonne-les-Bains each Sunday & Friday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Divonne-les-Bains (Francais)