Situated between Switzerland and France, Lake Geneva spills over into many places of interest. In addition to beautiful old towns and popular resorts, of particular interest is the famous Chillon castle on the Swiss Riviera, romanticized by poets and writers - George Byron and Percy Shelley, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas.
A charming islet located about a hundred meters from the coast of the town of Rol in the canton of Vaud. This is an artificial island built in 1836 in shallow water to protect the port. An obelisk is erected on it in honor of the person whose name it is named after - Frederic Cesar de la Arpa. On the obelisk, decorated with bas-reliefs and medallions, the words spoken by the Russian Tsar Alexander I are inscribed: "I owe everything to this Swiss." Frederic Cesar de la Arp was the mentor of the future king.
The largest natural lake in Western Europe - Lake Geneva - is located in Switzerland. In France it is called "Lac Leman". It hasthe shape of a crescent, narrowing in the southern part near the medieval French town of Yvoire and dividing in this place in a natural way into the Big and Small lakes. 59.53% (345.31 sq. km.) of the lake area falls under the jurisdiction of Switzerland, 40.47% (234.71 sq. km.) belongs to France. The border between countries runs in the middle.
Yvoire, famous for its medieval buildings and colorful flowers that decorate its streets during the summer, is included in the category of the most beautiful (small) cities in France. Called the "Pearl of Lac Leman", Yvoire is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Rhône-Alpes region.
Lake Geneva has been around for about 15,000 years. It was formed during the retreat of the Rhone Glacier. The Rhone River originates on a glacier near the Grimsel mountain pass to the east of the lake, flowing through the Swiss canton of Valais and emptying into the lake between the resort towns of Villeneuve and Le Bouveret. Coastal scenery is varied. Between Vevey and Villeneuve, the landscape is predominantly alpine. On the south side at the foot of the Alps - in the region of Savoie and the canton of Valais - the terrain is mostly difficult. In the northern part of the coast is covered with lush vegetation, with wonderful vineyards on the slopes, ancient villages and castles.
Although located on the edge of the Alps, Lake Geneva, thanks to the large mass of water in it, creates its own microclimate around, especially in Montreux and the immediate surroundings, where agaves, palm trees and other exotic plants grow, protected from strong winds by mountains.
The border French town of Alange is interesting for its history with a castle on a hill, which offers fantastic views of Lac Leman and the Chablais area, which is the center of mountain tourism.
Lake Geneva is known for its spa resorts. During the Belle Epoque, the resort town of Evian-les-Bains was especially popular among aristocrats who came here to treat various diseases and nervous fatigue. Another resort - Thonon-les-Bains - is famous for its waters, which have detoxifying properties and help with kidney diseases.
Lake Geneva (photos, it should be noted, show many unique places on its shores) between Vevey and Lutry - the area of terraced vineyards of Lavaux, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2007.
