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Hermance cross-border loop

Hermance cross-border loop

Description

This easy route reflects Switzerland's legendary calm. From one border bridge to the next, you and your family will enjoy the ride. From Veigy-Foncenex, you can enjoy the beautiful forest and its wealth of flora and fauna.
The Boucle transfrontalière d'Hermance (Hermance cross-border loop) is a beautiful walk between France and Switzerland that lets you discover the surrounding area and the shores of Lake Geneva.

You'll start at a marker right on the border, then walk along the French side towards the Mémorial des Sauveteurs de l'Ombre, the only memorial to the smuggling networks in France.

Indeed, the village of Veigy-Foncenex was a major crossing point to Switzerland for people fleeing Nazi-occupied France. Many refugees, politicians, opponents and Jews found refuge in Switzerland via Veigy-Foncenex.

You will then reach the Swiss village of Hermance. A peaceful lakeside village, take time to stroll through the narrow streets and cool off in the waters of Lake Geneva.

Technical Information

Walking
Difficulty
Very easy
Duration
2h10mn
Dist.
6.6 km
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Altimetric profile

Starting point

Pont Vieux, Chemin Rural d'Hermance à Langin , 74140   Chens-sur-Léman
Lat : 46.30059Lng : 6.247448

Points of interest

image du object

Leman lake

Lake Geneva is an authentic inland sea and the largest lake in Western Europe. It started out as a glacier mainly fed by the Rhone River. The lake is majestic in size and is a unique destination as the Sea in the Mountain!Lake Geneva is Western Europe’s largest lake. Its French name Léman is probably Celtic in origin, changed by Latin with frequent name changes over time: Lacus Lemanus, Lake Geneva or Lake Léman. The lake is crescent-shaped with the north bank and two sides being Swiss and the south bank being French. The border goes through the middle of the lake. The Rhone crosses through the lake from east to west. Many things have made the lake what it is today: Tectonic folding in part of the Great Lake and the action of a Rhone glacier in the Small Lake (between Yvoire and Geneva). It was formed when the Rhone glacier melted after the last ice age almost 15,000 years ago. Key figures and locations: - Length of intersection: 72.8km - Maximum width: 13.8km - Surface area: 582.4km² (348.4km² in Switzerland and 234km² in France) - Altitude: 372m - Maximum depth: 309.7m, coast plus 62.3m between Lausanne and Évian - Total water volume: 89 million m³ Microclimate... Although it is on the edge of the Alps, Lake Geneva has created a microclimate around it due to the sheer amount of water it holds. For example, in Montreux and its immediate surroundings you can see palm trees, agaves and other exotic plants. In winter, the lake uses the heat it has conserved during the summer to make the harsh mountain winter milder. In summer the lake cools its surroundings. Lake Geneva’s wildlife: Fish: Approximately 30 species of fish live together in the lake including: - True fera or féra as it is known locally, 360 tons caught in 2006 (310 tons in 2005). - Perch, which is filleted, 224 tons caught in 2006 (234 tons in 2005). - Pike, 35 tons caught in 2006 (47 tons in 2005, 29 tons in 2004 and 31 tons in 2000). In 1996 a 1.34m long pike was caught in the lake and a 20.5kg pike was caught in March 2004 in the Vaud area. - Lake trout, 11 tons caught in 2006 (17 tons in 2005, 27 tons in 2004). Some specimens can weigh up to 8 or 10 kilos. - The ever popular Arctic char, 14 tons caught in 2006 (17 tons in 2005, 9 tons in 2004, 68 tons in 2000). This fish is very sensitive to global warming as it requires very cold water in order to reproduce. - Crayfish which were released in the lake by mistake in the 80s and have now colonised the waters. This shellfish is very popular for its succulent meat and fishermen’s catch is now supplied to restaurants. - Roach, bleak, carp, burbot, tench, stickleback and many more. Birds: Many birds come to the lake as it is a migration route between the Alps and the Jura Mountains. The 150,000 birds and ducks coming from Scandinavia and even Siberia to spend their winter here include: - the Great Cormorant - the Common Merganser - the Great Crested Grebe - the Common Pochard - the Tufted Duck - and the Eurasian Coot - Along with swans and mallards. Tourism around Lake Geneva: There are lots of tourist attractions around Lake Geneva. On the Swiss coast stands Château de Chillon (Vaud) in a unique romantic setting popularised in written form by Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s La Nouvelle Héloïse and Byron’s The Prisoner of Chillon. On the Haute-Savoie Chablais coast lies the fortified village of Yvoire (also know as the pearl of Lake Geneva) on a rocky fort, Excenevex Beach and Château de Ripaille. In historical Thonon-les-Bains there are towers, parks and vineyards. The Lavaux vineyards between Vevey and Lutry were classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. Visitors can also explore the many sides to life around Lake Geneva by visiting its towns and cities such as Geneva itself, Lausanne, Montreux and Thonon-les-Bains.

Rives du Léman 74200 Thonon-les-Bains
- Office de Tourisme de Thonon-les-Bains -
Consulter

Date and time

  • From 15/05/2025 to 01/11/2025
  • From 15/05/2026 to 01/11/2026

Additional information

Updated by

Conseil Départemental de la Haute-Savoie - 27/03/2025
www.hautesavoiexperience.fr
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Reception conditions for animals

If herds are present, dogs must be kept on a leash.

Guidebook with maps/step-by-step

1/ Departure point: Pont de Bouringe parking lot, boundary marker 217 2/ From the parking lot, head towards "Mémorial des Justes (Par Les Lombards)". You will pass the signposts for "Les Bourgues" and "Les Lombards". 3/ At "Mémorial des Justes", continue towards "Pont de Bouringe (Par Pont de Crevy)". 4/ At "Pont de Crevy", cross the border and continue towards "Pont de Bouringe" and "Hermance (Suisse)". 5/ At the Swiss directional sign (yellow), continue towards "Hermance". 6/ At "Hermance", head for "Les Lombards (F) par les Bourgues" to reach your starting point at the bridge.

Open period

From 15/05 to 01/11. Subject to favorable snow and weather conditions.

Contact

Phone :
04 50 72 64 57
04 50 72 80 21

Email : accueil@destination-leman.com

Website : www.destination-leman.com

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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾