evian- lake geneva
 

i will be in evian in feb. 09. any suggestions for day trips for shopping and old towns?

Very nice old town = Yvoire.

thanks tuckH. do you happen to know if there is ferry service across the lake to switzerland that time of year?

Hello, Joyce. Just in case Tuck doesn't check back in, you can look at the sbb.ch website (eng., timetable) and plug in Yvoire and Nyon. Use a December date, because I would imagine that will be the winter schedule. You'll see several boat connections.

It's been a number of years since I visited Yvoire while staying in Rivaz (near Lausanne). I think we went by train to Nyon and then took the boat across to Yvoire. J.

From Evian hop the frequent boats to Lausanne, Vevey or Montreux (chateau de Chillon

Yes, Joyce, you might want to check the sbb.ch site plugging in Evian-les-Bains CGN and Lausanne using early December dates. You'll see some options including the boats (BAV or BAT). If you click on the blue "Evian-les-Bains" on the schedule options screen, you'll be able to call up all the departures from Evian. Use a range of dates from beginning of December to the 12th and a list of 30 or so departures. When the yellow page appears showing all the departures from Evian, you'll notice that only two or three boats say "daily", and several others show the end in November or December. I guess that means that you can probably count on a couple of boat connections daily with Switzerland during the winter months, and it looks like Evian's connections go to Lausanne.

Hi joyceg

Ferry schedules are at

www.cgn.ch

Have fun!

s

jmw44--about Rivaz, I was an au pair there for an American family in 1973 (nothing like dating myself). It was a wonderful time--I was as much a companion for the mother as the two boys. We took day trips all over.

The American family rented the 1st and 2nd floors (European floors) from the Fonjallas (spelling) family, local vintners. The flat was gorgeous with a huge terrace and incredible views of Lac Leman and the French Alps. They bought all their wine locally for about 50 cents a bottle or in 2 litre jugs for less and of course bread was delivered daily with the milk. What is it like in more recent times? I was only back once around 1982.

Thank goodness, s'. I was hoping you would pop in with the web address.

It's been more than ten years since I was in Rivaz, Cathie. We stayed at the Auberge du Rivaz just across from the boat dock. Delicious food, and the location was perfect for daytrips. Loved the vineyard walks. Your experience sounds like a memorable one.

Joyce, I hope you'll be able to explore a lot of the delightful destinations on Lac Leman, and perhaps even Annecy to the south? I've no idea what sort of factor February weather will play.

thanks to all for your suggestions!