A Guide to the Best of Évian-les-Bains, France

Évian-les-Bains, France, wasn’t really on our radar, even as we were plotting out spots we wanted to check out while living in France. It definitely wasn’t in the plans as we were planning a summertime road trip in Switzerland.

Why would it be? It’s FRANCE.

Well, here’s the deal. Once you start planning a trip to Switzerland, you realize how damn expensive that proposition is. That’s when things can start getting a little creative. 

That’s where Évian-les-Bains, or, if you’re a friend, Évian, comes into the picture. While looking for a spot on Lake Geneva to spend a week or so, we learned that it is SO much cheaper to stay on the French side than the Swiss one. 

That makes it a great base for travel across the lake to the luxe stuff, but we found it’s also a charming place to visit all on its own.

Is Évian-les-Bains worth visiting?

Évian-les-Bains is worth visiting for its lakeside setting and plentiful (free!) mineral water. It’s also nicer on the budget than staying on the Swiss side of Lake Geneva. 

We admittedly knew very little about the spa town before visiting, so uncovering everything special about it felt like a secret we were happy to uncover.

What is Évian-les-Bains known for?

Évian-les-Bains is best known for its natural mineral water, famously bottled and sold worldwide as Évian. As such, you can drink as much of the stuff as you’d like (for free!) out of the Cachat spring.

This is also a spa town. While I like to think I’d love the spa life, I’m generally not indulging in that sort of thing while we’re traveling. I’d usually rather be eating something, and spa time is expensive.

If you want to experience Évian’s healing waters, though, you have options!

Things to Do in Évian-les-Bains

I already told you we didn’t know much about this town before our arrival. Honestly, we may have even been ignorant of the fact that this is where the water brand comes from. 

Note: I only say “may have been” here because I’m too embarrassed to admit the truth to you.

With a full week here, I think we’ve gotten to know Évian on a much more intimate level. I can say I’ve drunk from the spring and it was good. Good times were had by all. Let’s get into it.

Take a stroll along Lake Geneva.

So much of what to do in Évian-les-Bains has to do with water. This was the very first thing we did after arriving in Évian. It’s impossible to miss, as the town is set up with basically a waterfront view.

While you’re strolling, you can pop by any of the stands selling cruises on the lake, including the commuter ferries we made use of to get to Switzerland.

Take your time enjoying the promenade and admiring the driftwood art. You’ll see examples of this and other sculptures all throughout Évian.

Drink from the Cachat spring.

The Cachat spring, or “Source Cachat” as it may appear on your map apps, is the original source of Évian water. You can fill up your water bottles or whatever else you’ve brought with you with as much of it as you want, at no charge. 

We gave a little to Kimmy so that she could get the full experience, too, but she said she didn’t notice any difference between the spring and the toilet. She’s not easily impressed.

Here’s a clip as proof:

We visited a few more times during our week in town. You should expect at least a short line upon arrival, as people aren’t just here to get their water. They’re taking pictures and videos, too. I mean, we were.

If there’s a cranky lady telling you to hurry it up, you should probably hurry it up, though.

Fun fact: You can visit the bottling plant for the spring water if you’d like, but it’s not actually in Évian. It’s in Publier, a 10-minute drive or so from Évian. Guided tours are available if you want to learn more.

Take a boat ride.

I’ll get into possible day trips from Évian in a bit, but you should definitely plan to spend some time on the lake while you’re here. If you found yourself here as a budget-friendly alternative to Switzerland, the lake is what makes it such a great swap!

You can take a ride on the Barque La Savoie, a replica of boats once used to transport stones from Meillerie quarries.

Or book a trip to the Pré Curieux Water Garden, accessible only by solar-powered boat. (Summer tours for this were only in French during our visit!)

You can also take one of the CGN ferries around Lake Geneva on a guided trip or to visit destinations around the lake. Lausanne is just 35 minutes away!

Visit the Palais Lumière.

This restored Belle Époque building once housed a luxury bathhouse. It’s where wealthy visitors came to test out the purported health benefits of the magical waters here. 

After years of meticulous restoration, the building today is a cultural center with art exhibitions and events. There was an Impressionist exhibit happening during our visit, so we felt pretty lucky about that. 

READ MORE: Want to know what it’s like to visit a real bathhouse? I wrote out my experience in Hot Springs, and yes, there was plenty of nudity involved.

After you’re done, check out the progress of restoration work at the Buvette Cachet.

Fun fact: This Art Nouveau building, built between 1903 and 1905, used to be a major social hub for spa-goers sipping water from the famous springs here. 

Renovations were very much in progress during our visit, and the building will be reopened in phases.

Do some window shopping.

Rue Nationale is the main shopping street in Évian-les-Bains. You’ll find the expected souvenir shops, but there is a mix of boutiques and bakeries mixed in, too.

While I’m not generally shopping for more stuff on trips, I liked checking out the façades and colorful awnings.

You’ll likely pass through this one at some point, anyway, if you’re visiting the Palais Lumière. 

Hang out at the Place Charles de Gaulle.

This is the central square in Évian-les-Bains, just steps from the Palais Lumière and the Rue Nationale. It’s great for people-watching, but it’s also popular for seasonal markets or taking a load off with a cocktail and snacks.

We ate at La Pizza on the square for dinner one night. (You may see it as “Restaurant La Pizza” on your map apps.) Apparently, it was the first pizzeria in Rhône-Alpes and has operated in this spot for over 60 years. 

There were no regrets about this one. We shared pizzas with smoked salmon on one and potatoes and raclette on the other. Service was friendly, and prices were fair.

Ride the free funicular.

This was my favorite thing to do in Évian. It kept me from having to do any climbing for views at the top, it was free, and it’s just fun to ride funiculars.

This one comes with some fun history, too. Évian’s funicular opened in 1907 as a mode of transport for rich people traveling from the lakefront to luxury villas on the hillside.

Today, it’s one of the last remaining Art Nouveau funiculars in France still open to the public and free to ride.

The funicular railway covers six stations over its route over its 750 meters, with about 140 meters of elevation gain. (That’s a little over 450 feet.) 

Note: Catch a ride behind the Palais Lumière rather than following the map app for the midway stop. You’re more likely to get a seat (or standing room) at the bottom, and you won’t have to climb any hills.

We got off at the stop for the Hotel Royal, but the stop just beyond that is the La Grange au Lac, an all-wood concert hall nestled in the woods. I’m sure catching a show there during your holiday is something special. 

See the views from Parc Clair Matin.

Get here via the free funicular I just told you about if you love your life. Once you’re at the top, you can wander around the neighborhood and meet the horses until you come upon this lovely green space. 

Enjoy excellent views of Lake Geneva and the town below, and Lausanne across the lake. You can take the funicular back down from here or walk down. That’s what we did.

While steep, we handled it all quite quickly. I wouldn’t have wanted to walk up, though!

Day Trips from Évian

With Évian-les-Bains as our base, we had easy access to the best of not only this side of France, but the pricey Swiss towns around Lake Geneva. If you don’t have a car, many of these are accessible by ferry. A car will just make traveling in the region easier!

Here are a few ideas:

• Geneva, Switzerland: This is one that’s quicker via public transit. I wasn’t super impressed with our visit, as cities in Switzerland are generally less exciting than the countryside, but it’s easy enough to do.
• Lausanne, Switzerland: I’m glad we didn’t prioritize spending the night at this popular Swiss town. While we had a great day there, it didn’t have the charm of Évian. The Olympic Museum was a highlight. You can take a ferry here from Évian.
• Gruyères, Switzerland: Come for the cheese, but stay for the Alien movie-themed museum. I’d put this one at the top of your list if you’re short on time, as it really is charming as heck. You’ll want to drive.
• Montreaux, Switzerland: This picturesque town is known for its proximity to Chillon Castle, an atmospheric medieval castle that sits on an island on Lake Geneva. Start there if you’re just passing through.
• Yvoire, France: This French medieval town looks like it was plucked out of a fairytale. You only need a few hours here to wander its old streets. Drive or take a combo of train and ferry.

READ MORE: Taking my advice about Gruyères? Here’s my guide for one perfect day there.

Things to See in Évian With More Time

I feel like this guide has been pretty thorough already, but if you’re lucky enough to have some extended time in Évian and love options, here are a few things we didn’t get to:

• Try your luck at the Casino d’Évian, or eat at one of the restaurants inside.
• Go miniature golfing, an idea Brian brought up regularly despite the fact that no one was ever playing during our week in town.
• Go real golfing at the Evian Resort Golf Club, a golf course that was closed for an event happening during our trip, much to Brian’s dismay. 
• Book a treatment or thermal therapy at the thermal spa.
• Rent bikes to ride the lakeside promenade instead of walking.
• Browse the Évian outdoor market, which takes place on Tuesday and Friday mornings across the street from the tourism office.
• Take a tour of the town on the “little train.” You’ll get some commentary on board about the local monuments. 

How to Get to Évian-les-Bains

The nearest airport to  Évian-les-Bains is Geneva Airport. We drove from our apartment outside of Paris, as we were on a multi-week road trip, but it’s accessible by train, car, or boat from several major European hubs. 

If you’re starting in Paris, it’s best to just drive, even though it’ll take a bit longer. Otherwise, you’re taking a combo of TGV and TER trains, depending on your departure date and time. If you’re starting in Switzerland, travel times look much better.

From Geneva, you can take the Léman Express or a regional train via Annemasse. In summer, make use of scenic ferries from Lausanne crossing Lake Geneva. 

How to Get Around Évian-les-Bains

We had a car on our trip, as we were on a multi-week road trip around France and Switzerland with our dog.

While you may be able to manage getting to and around the town itself without a ride, a car will make visiting other towns near Lake Geneva much easier.

Évian-les-Bains itself is quite walkable. A network of buses, bike-sharing, guided tours, and the historic funicular means you may not need a car if you’re staying in the town.

Where to Stay in Évian-les-Bains

We stayed in a pet-friendly apartment during our week in Évian, but you have a range of options to choose from during your time here, especially if you don’t have a pet.

Use the map below to browse both hotels, including luxury hotels, and more family-friendly apartment-style accommodations in Évian:

I regret not knowing about Évian sooner.

Évian-les-Bains is a charming, lakefront town with scenic views and easy access to all of the fun to be had around Lake Geneva. It’s also a much more budget-friendly destination than the surrounding Swiss towns if you’re here on a Switzerland road trip.

I’d highly recommend it as a base in the region, if only to get your fill of that Evian water. If you’re traveling with your pooch, maybe your dog will be more grateful for a taste!

Traveling elsewhere in France? Check out these guides:

• How to Plan an Easy Day Trip to Fontainebleau
• A One-Day Guide to Vibrant Marseille
• Visiting Normandy? See the Cliffs of Étretat 
• Montpellier Is Always Worth Visiting
• Castle Fans, Plan a Trip to the Loire Valley

I’m not done yet! Steal these guides for travel in France:

• Plan a Fantastic Trip to Avignon
• How to Plan a Visit to Monaco
• Giverny Is Best in the Springtime!
• How to Have the Best Christmas in Colmar
• An Honest Guide to Visiting Versailles

Want to see more?