Pointe de Yvoire

Yvoire is a small walled village on the southern shore of Lake Geneva, in the Haute-Savoie department, on a low promontory that pushes out into the water. It is classed among the Plus Beaux Villages de France and is known for the profusion of flowers that hang from its stone walls, balconies and gateways, so it has been awarded the top rating for flower decoration in France. The Pointe de Yvoire is the tip of the promontory, where the village meets the lake, and from there you have a wide view across the water to the Swiss shore and, on a clear day, the Alps rising behind.

The village is medieval in origin. It was founded in 1306 by Amadeus V, Count of Savoy, who built a castle and a fortified town to control the lake and to defend the border with the neighbouring Dauphiné, with which Savoy was often at war. The fighting between the two powers in the early fourteenth century gave the place strategic importance, and its inhabitants were granted a charter of freedoms. In the sixteenth century the area was occupied for a time by the Bernese, before it returned to Savoy. The ramparts and two fortified gates still enclose the old centre, and the castle stands at the water's edge. The Château d'Yvoire is private and not open for visits, but it is a landmark seen from the shore and the lake.

The village is small, with a few narrow lanes of stone houses, craft workshops, galleries and restaurants, and a visit takes a couple of hours. The lake provides the local cuisine, with perch fillets, filets de perche, the traditional dish on many menus, served with fries and a glass of local white wine. Near the church, the Jardin des Cinq Sens, the Garden of the Five Senses, is a labyrinth garden planted to appeal to sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing, and it is popular with families.

Yvoire is easy to reach by road from Geneva and Thonon-les-Bains, and in the season boat services connect it with Geneva, Nyon and other lakeside towns. The village is busy in July and August, so visit in the morning or early evening. A promenade along the shore leads to quieter spots with views of the village.

The village suits couples, families and day trippers from Geneva, and anyone who enjoys flowers and lake views. Parking is limited near the old centre and is organised at the edge, so allow time to walk in.