Lake towns, other wonders of Haute Savoie

A village that juts out towards the water, Yvoire rises above a small harbour and is lined with winding streets that lead down to Lake Geneva. You enter the village through the Porte de Rovorée and head for the streets lined with stone houses decorated with flowers. Instinctively, you are drawn to the glittering stainless steel bell tower, reminiscent of the silver belly of the féra fish. The 14th-century castle overlooks Lake Geneva.

You can then take a short cruise on the lake aboard an electro-solar boat. You'll be lulled into silence as you enjoy the beautiful views over the village. And if you don't like boats, take a trip to Yvoire's Jardin des Cinq Sens (Garden of the Five Senses), classified as a Remarkable Garden by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. This maze of plants offers a sensory journey. Stroll around with your nose in the air to awaken your senses.

The capital of the Savoyard Chablais region, Thonon-les-Bains overlooks Lake Geneva with boldness and grace. This lakeside town captivates with its pretty port, lively, bustling centre and incredible views of the blue lake. Thonon-les-Bains is a great place to live, with a wide range of cultural events, water sports and commercial activities.

Once in the town, you can visit the church of Saint-Hippolyte, the basilica of Saint-François-de-Sales and the Musée du Chablais. The latter is housed in vaulted cellars in the Château de Sonnaz. One exhibition room tells the humorous story of smuggling in the region. Another room is devoted to inland waterway transport on Lake Geneva. The town's emblem remains the Château de Ripaille, where history and nature meet. The building was bought by art lover Frédéric Engel-Gros in 1892. He went on to restore the château, which today blends medieval and Art Nouveau architecture.

As peaceful as it is photogenic, Evian-les-Bains is the perfect destination for a relaxing weekend. After a stroll through its pedestrianised streets, you can indulge in a spa experience. The town is alive with spa treatments, particularly at the Thermes Evian, located between the centre and the port.

On site, you can visit the Pré-Curieux water gardens, a neo-colonial house where you can observe protected flora and fauna. You'll be immersed in a zen atmosphere between torrent, pond and delta.

It needs no introduction... Annecy is what you might call an emblematic jewel of France. Well-known, recognised... sometimes a little too well known, the town attracts tourists from all over the world. The crowds come to take refuge between the water and the mountains, in the midst of pure, unspoilt nature. A tour on foot or by bike allows you to discover the neighbouring villages, from Veyrier, a pretty, recently renovated village, to Talloires. Nature reigns supreme from Angon to Doussard.

Annecy has also been the birthplace of paragliding since the 1970s. Paragliding schools are now commonplace. Sports enthusiasts can also enjoy hiking, cycling, water sports and skiing in winter. A diversion to the 17th-century Talloires Abbey, now a 4-star hotel-restaurant, is a must. The former cells of the Benedictine monks in the cloister have been converted into comfortable bedrooms. The Prior's Room, a listed historic monument, is particularly worth a visit.