Ascension weekend: 10 activities around Lake Geneva

Geneva museums and Divonne-les-Bains

For a cultural Ascension weekend, start in Geneva and explore its many public and private museums, whose collections span fine arts, science, history, literature, botany and technology, with exhibitions of international significance. Plan your itinerary on the Musées de Genève website, which brings together all institutions, exhibitions and current or upcoming activities.

Then head to Divonne-les-Bains to enjoy its spa atmosphere and the many springs and fountains that have shaped the town’s identity. To travel easily between Geneva and Divonne, opt for the Léman Express, which allows seamless cross-border travel.

Yvoire, Nyon and Fort des Rousses

A second Ascension idea: spend a day between lake and Jura by combining Yvoire, Nyon and Fort des Rousses. Begin with a stroll through the medieval village of Yvoire, visit the Garden of the Five Senses, then board a CGN boat to Nyon and enjoy Lake Geneva as a true link between the two shores.

From Nyon, take the Nyon–St-Cergue–Morez railway (NStCM) to La Cure, a border village in the heart of the Jura Mountains, then continue to Fort des Rousses for an immersive visit of a Napoleonic military fort converted into aging cellars for JuraFlore Comté cheese. The guided tour reveals the site’s history, impressive vaulted galleries and includes a tasting of Comté cheeses with varied aromatic profiles.

Thonon, Ripaille, Lausanne and Evian

Third activity: head to Thonon-les-Bains and the Château de Ripaille, an emblematic lakeside residence steeped in history. Continue by boarding a CGN boat to Lausanne to visit the Olympic Museum, dedicated to the spirit and heritage of the Olympic Games.

To complete the loop, take the boat to Evian to discover the Palais Lumière, a major cultural venue, then return to Thonon using the Léman Express. This combination of lake, historic towns and museums offers a rich blend of art, architecture and landscapes along the water.

Vallée d’Aulps and Les Gets

Fourth Ascension weekend suggestion: the Vallée d’Aulps, between spectacular gorges and monastic heritage. Discover the Gorges du Pont du Diable, an impressive natural site carved deep into the rock, then visit Aulps Abbey, a major witness to the valley’s religious history.

Continue to Les Gets for a playful and poetic experience at the Mechanical Music Museum and the nighttime Alta Lumina trail, an immersive illuminated walk in the heart of nature. Between heritage, mechanical arts and sensory experience, Ascension takes on a fairy-tale atmosphere here.

Between lake and mountains: Evian and Châtel

Fifth activity: connect the shores of Lake Geneva with the peaks of the Chablais in under an hour. Start in Evian, with its landscaped waterfront and the Palais Lumière, which hosts major exhibitions in a Belle Époque setting.

Then drive to Châtel, a dynamic mountain resort offering a wide range of activities: walks, viewpoints, family leisure activities and alpine landscape discovery. In a short journey, the day moves from lakeside to high-mountain panoramas—ideal for a long Ascension weekend.

Valais leisure parks

For a decidedly fun-filled program, head to the Valais leisure parks:

Swiss Vapeur Parc in Le Bouveret, featuring miniature railways set among carefully landscaped scenery and replicas of Swiss landmarks.

Aquaparc, a large lakeside water park with slides and heated pools.

Labyrinthe Aventure in Evionnaz, a vast outdoor adventure park with a giant maze and numerous playful structures.

Western City in Martigny, a theme park inspired by the world of the American West.

Often included in regional combination offers, these sites provide an ideal base for a family Ascension weekend combining attractions, nature and Alpine views.

Culture, peaks and gastronomy along the Rhône

Following the Rhône, the day combines culture, high-altitude panoramas and gourmet stops. In Martigny, the Pierre Gianadda Foundation blends art, archaeology and renowned exhibitions in a setting enhanced by outdoor sculptures. Further down the valley, the Bex Salt Mines offer an underground immersion in a vast network of galleries exploited for several centuries.

Further on, Glacier 3000 delivers exceptional views of the Alpine 4,000-metre peaks and features the unique suspended Peak Walk bridge, accessible by cable car. In Leysin, the rotating Kuklos restaurant—reachable by mountain lifts or on foot once the snow has melted—offers a gastronomic break with 360-degree views of the surrounding summits. For this day, using public transport in the Chablais region is recommended to limit car use and fully enjoy the scenery.

Culture, trains and peaks around Montreux

Eighth activity: around Montreux, combine culture, historic trains and panoramic views. The journey begins at the Fort de Chillon Museum, a military structure guarding the strategic Lake Geneva corridor, then continues to Chaplin’s World in Corsier-sur-Vevey, dedicated to the life and work of Charlie Chaplin.

Next, board the Blonay–Chamby Railway, a true rolling museum, before continuing the ascent toward the peaks on a cogwheel train to Rochers-de-Naye or along the MOB railway lines. Between flower-lined shores, military heritage, cinema and Alpine panoramas, this day captures the essence of the Vaud Riviera.

Servion: zoo and tropiquarium

Ninth activity: a nature and wildlife getaway in Servion. The Servion Zoo hosts a wide variety of species in a wooded setting, while the Tropiquarium showcases reptiles, birds and tropical fauna.

This outing is particularly well suited to families looking for a gentle Ascension weekend combining biodiversity discovery and outdoor walks close to the Lake Geneva region.

Gruyères museums, Moléson and Pays d’Enhaut

Tenth activity: a blend of culture, cheese and pre-Alpine landscapes between Gruyères, Moléson and the Pays d’Enhaut. In Gruyères, visiting the castle, La Maison du Gruyère, the Giger Museum and the Tibet Museum allows for a mix of medieval heritage, cheesemaking expertise and distinctive artistic worlds.

Continue to Moléson to gain altitude, then head to the Pays d’Enhaut, with its paper-cutting museum, ballooning centre, L’Etivaz cheese cellar and the restaurant Le Chalet. A fitting end to an Ascension weekend under the banner of tradition, flavours and iconic landscapes of French-speaking Switzerland.