Cyclist Paul's Travels: Yvoire, France

Over the years my bike and I have cycled to the walled-in medieval village of Yvoire, France on numerous occasions but, have yet to post anything on this blog--until now.

I live in Lausanne, Switzerland (population 120,000) which fronts Lake Geneva. The lake also goes by the name Lac Leman. There's regular ferry service from Lausanne directly across the lake to Evian, France. Cycling along the shoreline it's a 20 mile bike ride each way from Evian to Yvoire. Have to wear a face mask on the ferry.

Hopping off the ferry in Evian (population 9,000) I have a routine. First, I go to my favorite patisserie and grab several treats, today it's two of their delicious chocolate almond croissants. Then I cycle up the hillside to this spot you see in the photo. What is it? (don't forget you can click on any image to enlarge). There's a spout sticking out at the mosaic tiles. Called Cachet spring (locals call it "the Source"), there's usually a line of locals and tourists filling up water bottles.--for free! It was built in 1903 and the water coming out the pipe has a year round temperature of a crispy refreshing 52 degrees. Evian is a world famous brand of mineral spring water owned by Danone, a French company (yep, the owner of Danone yogurt)--they own Cachet spring (good public relations).

Evian's formal name is Evian-les-Bains and the "les Bains" part means "the baths". It's one of France's most famous spa towns. People come here to soak in the thermal baths and supposedly drinking the mineral water is good for the health.

A few miles out of town I pass this chateau, now a hotel

This is near the city center of Thonon-les-Bains, a lakeside thermal bath town of 30,000 people. To the right of the photo is a very steep cliffside leading to the lakefront.

Instead of enduring the steep descent to the lakefront one can hop on the funicular.

This is the funicular station at the bottom and it has been whisking people up and down for more than 100 years.

A few miles out of Thonon-les-Bains I pass Chateau de Ripaille, a running joke with me for years. I cycle by this place and it's never open. It doesn't open until 10AM or 11AM and I usually pass by around 9:30 AM and I'm too antsy to hang around waiting. Going back to Evian I return a different route.

Chateau de Ripaille dates back to 1434.

Chateau de Ripaille is getting a new roof. The place includes 54 acres of vineyards and over 130 acres of forest.

This floral display greets visitors to Yvoire.

This mosquito? stands right outside the tourist information center in Yvoire.

A few feet away from the mosquito is this Buddha?

The walled-in medieval village of Yvoire had its heyday back in the 1300's when its location on Lake Geneva was of strategic importance. Now, thanks to being on tour bus itineraries it keeps humming along. Unfortunately things are different in 2020 as visitors have to don mandatory masks to enter the place.