What to Do in Evian in 3 Days: Great Restaurants and Outdoor Walks

What to do in Evian? Day 1

11 a.m. - Arrival at Hôtel Royal - Evian Resort

If you’re looking for a luxury hotel around Lake Geneva, Hôtel Royal - Evian Resort is the obvious choice. Awarded 5 stars, this Belle Époque palace with 153 rooms, including 32 suites, is one of the most beautiful hotels in Haute-Savoie. Steward to a prestigious history dating back to 1909, it embodies an elegance bordering on fine art. The subtle refinement of the decor, which enhances the heritage lines of contemporary works of art and furniture, is complemented by luxurious amenities that immediately encourage guests to extend their stay, such as its luxury spa. When it comes to dining, high standards and variety are the order of the day: in addition to its Michelin-starred restaurant Les Fresques, the hotel features two restaurants—La Véranda and the summer restaurant, l’Oliveraie—as well as a bar.

An exceptional architectural masterpiece, the Alps hotel is situated within a unique estate: a vast, lush 19-hectare park, perfect for walks and contemplating Lake Geneva. Over the decades, this upscale haven of tranquility has charmed legendary guests, from Marcel Proust to Patrick Modiano, Ringo Starr, and Rita Hayworth—all captivated—or perhaps even inspired?—by the idyllic atmosphere of the place.

Hôtel Royal - Evian Resort
150 rooms, prices starting at €353
960 avenue du Léman, Neuvecelle, Évian-les-Bains

12:30 p.m. – What to do in Evian? Lunch at the gourmet restaurant Les Cygnes

As soon as you step inside Les Cygnes, the restaurant of the eponymous hotel, you realize that this place is an institution: an indescribable charm emanates from its retro setting, like a velvety cocoon. This charm extends to the menu crafted by Chef Yoann Tanneau, which, while rightly highlighting (quality) local ingredients—Abondance cheese, Arctic char, Savoie ham… — also allows himself some interesting daring touches by drawing inspiration from the cuisines of the South or Asia. However, it would be almost unforgivable to miss the perch fillets, whether prepared meunière-style or as “Cygnes,” an original fusion take featuring bell peppers and Iberian chorizo. Save room for a dessert bursting with tangy Alpine freshness: the blueberry tart with fir needle gel, served with a lime sorbet. On sunny days, reserve a table on the terrace under the wisteria pergola, facing the lake. The pleasure is tenfold…

Les Cygnes
8 avenue de Grande Rive, Evian-les-Bains

3:00 p.m. – Walk through Évian

Nestled along the shores of Lake Geneva, Évian naturally offers splendid walks along the waterfront: the lake changes color every day…or even several times a day. The town boasts many Belle Époque buildings worth exploring. Take the Palais Lumière, for example: this former spa converted into an exhibition space is a work of art in itself, featuring magnificent stained-glass windows, statues by Louis-Charles Beylard, and paintings, all crowned by a majestic 35-meter-high dome. The building stands next to the Town Hall, no less elegant, which was once… one of the residences of the Lumière brothers. Art Nouveau enthusiasts will want to admire the treasure that is the Buvette Cachat, designed by architect Albert Hébrard in 1905 and recently restored—patience is required, as it is only partially reopened. In the meantime, the Source Cachat (formerly the Sainte-Catherine fountain) across from it is always accessible. It is this water that supplies the famous brand of the same name in the town of Évian.

Palais Lumière
Quai Charles Albert Besson, Évian-les-Bains

Source Cachat
Avenue des Sources, Évian-les-Bains

5:00 p.m. – Tour of the RART Gallery

Located at the eastern entrance to the city, RART is the newest addition to Évian’s contemporary art galleries. A sleek, post-industrial setting serves as a showcase for creations that blend radical visual art with decorative design objects. Here, the motto is “choose beauty”! It’s worth noting that the desire to share this beauty is palpable: Angélique Buisson, the gallery’s founder, has turned RART into a luminous haven of discovery for emerging artists. Who knows—you might just find a new favorite piece there…

RART Gallery
51 avenue Anna de Noailles, Évian-les-Bains

7:00 p.m. – Dinner at Les Fresques, the fine-dining restaurant at Hôtel Royal – Evian Resort

All honor to whom honor is due: we head to the Michelin-starred restaurant at Hôtel Royal - Evian Resort, where we sit down for dinner to discover the menu created by Yohan Fatela—who also runs La Véranda and l’Oliveraie. Resolutely committed to a virtuous and responsible approach, the chef draws inspiration from the (rich) local terroir to craft menus in harmony with nature and the seasons. Fish from Lake Geneva, regional cheeses, and Savoy beef are among his favorite ingredients; as for his vegetables and herbs, they often come from a supply chain that couldn’t be shorter: the Royal’s own vegetable garden! His creativity does the rest to ensure a dining experience that truly reflects the setting. By the way, why “Les Fresques”? A glance at the ceilings painted by Gustave Jaulmes and Adrien Karbowsky provides the answer for the curious.

Hôtel Royal - Evian Resort
960 avenue du Léman, Neuvecelle, Évian-les-Bains

10 p.m. – A nightcap at the Casino Evian Resort bar

The night is still young—why not extend it under the elegant dome of Le Cercle, the bar at the Casino Evian Resort? We walk there to enjoy the view of the illuminated facades: Évian takes on a whole new look at night. Once inside, admire the crystalline structure of the chandelier sparkling beneath the building’s dome while sipping a mocktail or coffee. It’s like a James Bond atmosphere, on a secret mission in Savoy…

Casino Evian Resort
7 quai Charles Albert Besson, Évian-les-Bains

What to do in Evian? Day 2

9 a.m. - A round at the Evian Resort Golf Club

This must-visit course, which hosts The Amundi Evian Championship in July—the only major women’s tournament in continental Europe—was opened in 1904. And its success has never waned: its unique setting, nestled between lake and mountains, and its layout designed by Cabell B. Robinson make it a must-visit for anyone who appreciates the blend of beauty and challenge.

Golf Club - Évian Resort
Route du Golf, Évian-les-Bains
Website

12:15 p.m. – Lunch at Séchex Nous

A breath of fresh air is sweeping through the Port de Séchex, where Lucas Dumelie and Manon Moleins-Plassat opened their restaurant in 2023. Success was not long in coming: in April 2025, Séchex Nous was awarded a Michelin star, which praised the“great finesse”of the cuisine. A sustainable and responsible cuisine that showcases wonderful local ingredients—starting with fish from Lake Geneva and herbs from their garden. Three menus with ethereal names (Le Vent Blanc, Le Joran, La Bise Noire) offer 3-, 5-, or 7-course meals to savor the very essence of these flavors.

Séchex Nous
2 route des Meules, Margencel
Website

2:00 p.m. – What to do in Evian? A honey tasting at Les Ruchers du Haut-Chablais

Those with a sweet tooth will love this spot! For four generations, the Bouvier family has taken artisanal beekeeping to the highest standards of quality and excellence. Rodolphe and Doris, with the help of their daughter Tiffany, carry on the tradition by harvesting the precious golden nectar from their 300 hives that migrate through Haute-Savoie. Among the varieties, we highly recommend chestnut and fir, the most robust and aromatic; the delicately minty linden and the sweet acacia. On-site, you can even visit an educational farm and watch the bees at work through a glass-fronted hive… provided you book online.

Ruchers du Haut-Chablais
867 avenue de Thonon, Allinges
Website

3:30 p.m. - Tour of Château de Ripaille

Although the expression “faire ripaille” has been part of the vocabulary for centuries, etymologically it has nothing to do with the castle of the same name. And yet, Voltaire found the coincidence amusing: the building was constructed in 1434 by Amadeus VIII, Duke of Savoy and future pope, who took pride in hosting a master chef, Maître Chiquart. At his table, there was fine dining and often… a feast. Nearly six centuries later, the estate has been beautifully preserved and is worth visiting for more than one reason: for the Château, a monument to Savoyard history; for its woods and gardens (including an arboretum); and finally for its vineyard: an AOC white wine is produced there on 22 hectares. Its name? Château de Ripaille, of course,

Château de Ripaille
83 avenue de Ripaille, Thonon-les-Bains
Website

6:00 p.m. – Stock up on local charcuterie and cheeses at the Fromagerie du Noyer

Évian lies between 372 m and 772 m above sea level; in other words, not far from the lower limit of the mid-mountain range. Just drive a few kilometers up into the hills to feel a change of scenery, breathe in the mountain air… and savor the local culinary specialties. The Chablais region is a gourmet destination, rich in traditional charcuterie and cheeses, such as Abondance AOP. To sample a representative selection of these high-quality products (and, above all, to take home a few souvenirs), head to the Fromagerie du Noyer, which offers the finest farmhouse tommes, reblochons, and raclettes straight from the alpine pastures, not to mention goat cheeses. Don’t think you can leave without picking up a few sausages, or without succumbing to the delight that is the Chablaisian cabbage sausage. A tip: go for the smoked version.

Fromagerie du Noyer
Wednesday through Saturday, 4–7 p.m.
35 Coppy Les Crêtes, across from the La Gavotine community hall (lake side), Saint-Paul-en-Chablais
Website

7:00 p.m. – Dinner at La Table d’Oche

Let’s stay up in the hills of Saint-Paul to enjoy the view. At La Table d’Oche, the feast is as much a visual delight as it is on the plate. A lover of lake and farm-fresh ingredients—as well as local wines—chef Julien Schillaci crafts a gourmet menu where classics are reinvented through delicious variations. Don’t miss his “return from the market” tasting menu, available in 3, 4, or 5 courses, designed to best reflect the seasons and local terroir.

La Table d'Oche - Hôtel Le Bois Joli
210 Route du Chenay, La Beunaz, Saint-Paul-en-Chablais
Website

What to do in Evian? Day 3

9 a.m. - Spa at the Hôtel Royal - Evian Resort

We start the day gently and peacefully by heading to the evianSPA. In this magical 1.700-square-meter oasis, every detail has been designed with your well-being in mind: an indoor pool, a hammam, a sauna, an outdoor hydrotherapy circuit with mountain views, a fitness area with personalized coaching, and an outdoor pool with breathtaking panoramic views… Not to mention the 12 treatment rooms where you can enjoy various types of treatments and massages, designed around the water cycle. Everything you need to start the day off right.

Hôtel Royal - Evian Resort
960 avenue du Léman, Neuvecelle, Évian-les-Bains
Website

12:00 p.m. – Lunch at Le Refuge des Gourmets

The name alone is an invitation to indulge; what’s more, chef Hubert Chanove has a particular fondness for raspberries, to which he dedicates an entire menu during the summer season! But don’t worry if you stop by his Michelin-starred restaurant at another time of year: mushrooms, game, or truffles are sure to delight your taste buds… unless you’re tempted by the Oxalis and Reine des Prés tasting menus—yes, the world of plants is truly elevated here.

Le Refuge des Gourmets
90 route des Framboises, Machilly
Website

2:30 p.m. – Crossing Lake Geneva toward Lausanne

We’ve had our eye on it for so long, it’s time to take a closer look at Lake Geneva: off to the port to board the shuttle that takes us to Switzerland in 35 minutes. A mini-cruise that cross-border commuters take twice a day: for them, the boat trip is the equivalent of a subway ride… only more glamorous. Note that while Switzerland is outside the European Union, it is part of the Schengen Area. Any European citizen can therefore travel there without border checks; however, it is recommended to carry your ID card or passport.

CGN Pier
Place du Port, Évian-les-Bains
Website

3:30 p.m. – Tour of the Olympic Museum or Plateforme 10

More into sports or art? You can love both, but with only two short hours for your visit, you’ll have to choose: either head to the Olympic Museum, just a stone’s throw from the landing stage; or take the metro—the only one in Switzerland! — to reach Platform 10, the museum complex adjacent to the train station. Here again, you’ll have to choose: the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts, Photo Élysée, or Mudac (design and applied arts). Thanks to the combined ticket valid for all three institutions, you can sample bits and pieces of the fantastic collections and exhibitions. It’s also a chance to get your bearings before a future, more in-depth visit.

Olympic Museum
1 Quai d'Ouchy, Lausanne
Website

Plateforme 10
16-17 Place de la Gare, Lausanne
Website

5:15 p.m. – Return to Évian

Meet at the pier to take the return shuttle and arrive with plenty of time to check out before boarding the train back home. Three days is definitely too short…