Staying over before or after the festival? Check out some of these cool places
All within an easy drive from La Roche-sur-Foron
What to do Nearby
Towns & Cities
Geneva
Switzerland's 2nd city is famous for its water fountain and as home to the United Nations and the Red Cross. As the European HQ for many global corporations, Geneva is a genuine international city and there is plenty to see and do: walk along the lake shore and swim in the clear waters, stroll through the old town, visit the museums or go shopping.
25 km and 20 minutes by car or 2 trains every hour from La Roche.
Annecy
The pretty town of Annecy, known as the Venice of the Alps, is a must see for anyone in the region with its crystal clear lake with the magnificent Aravis mountain range as a backdrop.
You can admire the view across the lake from the Pâquier park or enjoy the atmosphere in the old town walking under the arcades or beside the river. The castle museum on top of the hill recounts the storied history of the Dukes of Savoy.
30 km and 20 mins by car or a 30 minute train ride every hour.
Yvoire
Yvoire is one of the most beautiful villages of Haute Savoie.
The fishing port on edge of Lake Geneva dates back to the Middle Ages. Some of the old 14th century ramparts can still be seen in the narrow streets.
40 km and 45 mins by car.
Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Chamonix Mont-Blanc Is the cradle of skiing and mountaineering.
The village is at the foot of Mont Blanc, Europe's highest summit, and you can take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi or the rack train to the Sea of Ice (Mer de Glace). The streets around the town centre are a delight to walk through and find a restaurant serving local cheese specialities (fondue, raclette, tartiflette).
60 km, 45 mins by car or 60 mins by train and bus every hour.
Hikes & Activities
Plateau des Glières
The Plateau des Glières was a key area for Resistance fighters during WWII to hide and receive arms and ammunition parachuted in by allied planes. There is a magnificent monument raised in memory of those who perished in 1944 during the great round up.
It is a beautiful for a hike.
30 km, 30 mins by car.
The Aravis Range
If you enjoy the great outdoors, there is not much to beat this range of mountains and hills not far from La Roche for climbing, hiking or gentle walking.
There are summits reaching 2,000 m and plateaus of large fields filled with wild flowers. Ask at the Tourist Offices of Grand-Bornand or La Clusaz for directions to the best hiking trails
30 km, 30 mins by car.
Mount Salève
Ride the Salève cable car to the top of "Geneva's Mountain" for a spectacular view acorss Geneva, its fountain and the lake with the Jura mountains in the background. It is magnificent. And there is even a restaurant up there, with hiking and mountain bike trails or paragliding.
The cable car can only be reached by (22 km, 20 min along the highway to Geneva) and it is also possible to drive to the top 25 km, 30 min.
Chaplin's House
A bit further beyond Geneva is the house Charlie Chaplin made his home for the last 25 years of his life. The house is open to the public and it is wonderfully preserved with much of the original furnishings, a TV screen in each room showing home movies of his time there and wax models of him, his family and some of the famous visitors he received.
Next to the house they have built a studio with full sets and memorabilia from some of his most famous films. The gardens are also open and you can just sit on one of the benches and admire the beautiful views across the lake to the Alps.
130 km, 90 mins by car.
