Want to discover Yvoire, one of the most beautiful villages in France on the shores of Lake Geneva? Before setting off on an adventure through its medieval streets and strolling along its flowered ramparts, here is everything you need to know to organize your visit calmly: how to get there, where to park, what to bring, and good habits to adopt on site.
Where is Yvoire located?
Yvoire is located in Haute-Savoie, in the Chablais, on the southern shore of Lake Geneva. It is situated:
- 27 km from Thonon-les-Bains
- 25 km from Geneva (Swiss side)
- About 1h15 from Annecy and 1h from Lausanne (by boat)
The village is nestled between lake and hills, near the Swiss border, making it an ideal stop during a stay around Lake Geneva.
How to get to Yvoire?
By car
Yvoire is accessible via the D1005 (Bas-Chablais road), between Douvaine and Sciez. The main road accesses are:
- From Geneva: about 40 min via Hermance or Douvaine
- From Thonon-les-Bains: 30 min via D25 or D1005
- From Annecy or Annemasse: about 1h15
Attention: The center of Yvoire is pedestrian-only. You must therefore park outside the village (see below).
By boat
An original and much appreciated way to arrive at Yvoire is by Lake Geneva! Several connections exist, notably from:
- Nyon (Switzerland): a crossing of 20 to 30 minutes (CGN service)
- Geneva or Lausanne: via cruises or excursions in season
Did you know that Yvoire is among the busiest freshwater ports in France? Its strategic position on Lake Geneva makes it a true lake hub, especially for the many borders commuters who take the Yvoire–Nyon line daily.
From the fine days, between June and September, the Compagnie Générale de Navigation (CGN) sets up a wide network of tourist boat connections throughout the lake. The perfect opportunity to enjoy a cruise and admire the Lake Geneva scenery from another perspective.
Whether for a simple crossing or a scenic ride, tickets are available:
- At the port ticket office, just next to the pier
- Directly on board (less recommended if you don’t want to shorten your cruise)
Payments in euros, Swiss francs, or credit card are generally accepted.
An unforgettable experience for young and old
Taking the boat to reach Yvoire is an adventure in itself, perfect for families. Along the way, you enjoy spectacular views of the French and Swiss shores, and in clear weather, Mont Blanc reveals itself as a backdrop.
For an even more magical moment, choose a trip aboard the Belle Époque boats. Their retro look, large paddle wheels, and visible running engines offer a unique charm, between vintage elegance and mechanical prowess.
By bike
The village is a nice stop for cyclists, via the ViaRhôna. Several scenic routes run along the shores or cross the Savoyard Chablais. Between Thonon and Geneva, this 44.3 km section of the ViaRhôna follows a succession of small roads and dedicated secure bike paths, serving Yvoire, but also the small village of Nernier, and the fine sandy beach of Excenevex. More information on the ViaRhôna website.
Parking: where to park in Yvoire?
Yvoire is classified, touristic, and narrow… The medieval village of Yvoire is a pedestrian village. So prepare to walk a few minutes from the parking lots!
- Several paid public parking lots are available at the entrance to the village (P1, P2, P3)
- Parking is regulated and limited in high season (April to October)
- PMR spots are reserved near the center
- Motorhomes have specific parking areas (service area a few minutes away)
- Yvoire – municipal parking: Les Jardins
- 90 spaces, 2 reduced mobility spaces
- Automatic payment machine, credit card
- Yvoire – municipal parking: Medieval City
- 240 spaces, 4 reduced mobility spaces
- Automatic payment machine, credit card
- Yvoire – municipal parking: Le Pré-Ponce
- 570 spaces, 7 reduced mobility spaces, electric charging stations
- Possibility to park vehicles over 2m (adjusted rate)
- Automatic payment machine, credit card
- Yvoire – municipal parking: Les Mollards
- 60 spaces, 2 reduced mobility spaces
- Parking meter payment, credit card
- Yvoire – private parking: Les Remparts
- 200 spaces
- Payment at entrance, flat rate €2.50
- Warning, often full!
Bike and motorcycle parking available along the ramparts.
💡 Tip: arrive early in high season (June to September) or favor late afternoon hours.
Ideal periods to visit Yvoire
Iconic village of Haute-Savoie, Yvoire attracts nearly a million visitors annually, with a large part between mid-July and mid-August. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the French Lake Geneva.
A tourist season from April to October
Most of the village’s shops, restaurants, and cultural sites are open between April and October, which corresponds to the high tourist season. But Yvoire remains accessible all year round, and each season offers a different charm.
Our advice to avoid the crowd
If you visit Yvoire in summer, prefer the mornings: shops usually open around 10 a.m., but from 8 or 9 a.m., the village bathes in a peaceful and authentic atmosphere, almost as if it were waiting just for you.
Another pleasant option: the end of the day, after 5 p.m. Visitor flows decrease, tourist boats become rarer, and the setting sun gives the village a magnificent golden glow.
Off-season: another face of Yvoire
In spring and autumn, outside of major weekends or sunny public holidays, Yvoire regains all its serenity. It is the ideal time to discover its flowered streets without the crowd.
In winter, even if the flowers are more discreet, the village keeps all its medieval character. Far from the summer bustle, you then discover another side of Yvoire: intimate, quiet, almost contemplative.
In summary:
- Spring: spectacular blooming in the streets
- Summer: events, cruises, terraces, and nearby beaches
- Autumn: soft light, golden colors, quieter village
- Winter: calm and authenticity, even though several shops close
Practical advice for your visit
- The village is pedestrian: bring good walking shoes
- There are free public toilets, notably at the entrance and near the port
- Many restaurants and snack bars offer local specialties
- Shops often close between 12:30 and 2 p.m. off-season
- Remember to check Yvoire’s tourist office, located near the main gate (3 Place de Mairie, 74140 Yvoire – Contact: +33 (0)4 50 72 80 21), for maps and events. Tourist Office website: Destination Léman
Are there restrictions for animals?
Dogs must be kept on a leash and are allowed in the village. However, access to sites such as the Jardin des Cinq Sens is forbidden to animals, except guide dogs.
Connectivity and services
- The mobile network is good (4G on all operators)
- Some electric vehicle charging stations are available near the village
- No gas station in Yvoire itself, but stations are present in Sciez, Douvaine, or Nernier
Activities and visits: is reservation required?
- The Jardin des Cinq Sens is very popular: reservation recommended in summer
- Boat cruises can be accessed without reservation but are often full in the afternoon
- The museum, events, guided tours are usually free entry or low cost
How much time to plan for visiting Yvoire?
It all depends on what you want to do in Yvoire… You can cross the village in 20 minutes flat, but that would be missing the essence.
- For a leisurely stroll through the streets, admiring the flowered facades and enjoying the medieval atmosphere, plan between 1 and 3 hours, depending on your pace.
- If you add the visit of the Jardin des Cinq Sens (which we strongly recommend), allow an extra 1 to 1.5 hours to fully explore this remarkable garden.
- Want some nature around the village?
- A solar boat cruise lasts about 45 minutes
- The walk to Rovorée-La Châtaignière takes 40 minutes round trip, not counting time spent on site
- If you want to have lunch or dinner in one of the village’s restaurants, add 1 to 2 hours depending on the crowd and meal type.
Between walks, heritage, garden, cruises, shops, and gastronomy, you can easily spend a whole day there without ever getting bored. And if you stay only a few hours, you will still leave with a beautiful timeless pause on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Where to find public toilets in Yvoire?
Several free public toilets are available in the village. These public restrooms are located:
- At the village entrance, on Place de la Mairie
- At the marina, under the Mollards parking lot, next to the children’s playground
- At the marina, on Place du Port
- At the fishermen’s port, at the bottom of Rue de l’église
Where to picnic in Yvoire? Our favorite spots for a lakeside break
Yvoire has no shortage of restaurants, bistros, and cafés to delight you, but if you prefer an outdoor picnic, it’s entirely possible — and even recommended to fully enjoy the natural setting.
You are free to settle in any street or alley, on a bench or a low wall. That said, several more pleasant spots offer you a genuine nature break with a view:
The main marina
Ideal for a family or friends picnic. You will find:
- Benches facing the lake
- A shaded lawn
- A play area for children (3 to 8 years old)
- A superb view at sunset, with boats coming and going
The fishermen’s port
Just steps from the church, it’s a quiet and charming spot where you can:
- Eat on benches under the trees
- Settle on the jetty
- Find picnic tables behind the church, on the grass
- Enjoy the proximity of the beach and the start of the Green Way that leads to Rovorée
The Domaine de Rovorée – La Châtaignière
This large public park on the shores of Lake Geneva, a few minutes’ walk from the center, is perfect for a nature break. Forest, meadow, century-old trees, and lakeshore make it an ideal place to rest away from the hustle and bustle.
In the village
Some benches are scattered through the streets or on the church square, but the lakeside remains the most pleasant for a true break facing the water.
Near the medieval city parking lot
Some picnic tables are available near this parking lot (at the end of the parking lot, cemetery side), in a green and shaded setting.
Respect the places: a responsible picnic
Whatever your choice, please leave your spot clean. Trash bins are available all around the village. By respecting the place, you help preserve Yvoire’s charm, for the residents, other visitors… and for nature itself.
Where is the Yvoire Tourist Office located?
Your intercommunal tourist office welcomes you all year round:
3, place de la Mairie 74140 Yvoire – Tel.: 04 50 72 80 21
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
From April 5 to June 28 and from September 6 to November 8:
Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
From June 28 to September 5:
Every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.