Le Tour d'Evian

Today's casino was designed and built by Albert Hébrard in 1912 in place of the Blonay barons' castle which burned down the year beforeEnnemond de Blonay (1838-1878)—last descendant of his family and Evian mayor—installed a municipal casino there before bequeathing it to the city. With 15,000 m² of shore line, a new dock and gardens were created. The reinforced concrete building is shaped like a grand central hall and opens to all the annexes: concert halls, game and reading rooms, and a restaurant. It is topped by an impressive decorated cupola that has hints of Byzantine influences. One of the two side staircases, which have been removed, gave access to large covered patios with a view of the Léman.

Former summer residence of the Lumière family from Lyon, this sumptuous villa of classic French style inspired by the Renaissance, became Evian's town hall in 1927.This villa was bought unfinished in 1896 by Antoine Lumière, a painter and photographer from Lyon, who invented the instant photographic plates that made his fortune. His sons, Louis and Auguste, are the inventors of cinema. Antoine Lumière modified the villa's plans and fitted out to his taste. Neo-Classical outside and eclectic inside, the building emanates an impression of opulence. The monumental oak entrance door is decorated with bronze bas-reliefs representing painting and sculpture. It is framed by two atlantes, replicas of Pierre Puget (17th century), supporting a pediment decorated with a sun, an allusion to the family's patronymic. The lake-side door is topped with a bronze copy of Michelangelo's The Thinker. The Villa Lumière is listed as a historical monument and has been Evian's City Hall since 1927. On business days, the vestibule and the Golden Lounge are open to the public during office hours.

The little train offers you a 35 minutes tour. Thanks to the commentary on board, you will discover the main monuments and emblematic places of the city.

A magnificent domain on the edge of the lake, the swimming pool and the beach of Evian benefit from a framework favourable to the amusement of the young people and the relaxation of the parents.The water sports centre offers a wide range of activities : a 50-metre Olympic pool, a 25-metre medium-sized pool with 6 water jets (waterfalls and massaging jets), a paddling pool, supervised access to the lake, table tennis, deckchairs for hire, petanque and volleyball courts, a 160-metre slide. A swimming school also offers individual or group lessons. Men must wear swimming trunks or boxer shorts when swimming in the pool. New this year : a fitness area "Le fitness Studio Base Camp" welcomes you for sports coaching lessons with music facing the lake. For more information: www.basecamp.training A supervised swimming area at the lake is open every day : In June and September: from 12pm to 6pm In July and August: from 11am to 7pm A children's garden (free access) is open for the youngest children (from 3 months to 6 years) to swim under the supervision of their parents. This enclosed and secure area is equipped with paddling pools and water games. It is open: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1.30 pm to 6 pm in June and every day in July and August from 10.30 am to 6 pm. A restaurant "La Brasse" welcomes you in a brasserie formula or a la carte with snacks, drinks and cocktails 7 days a week during the opening hours of the water sports centre. Picnics are not allowed.

Inaugurated in 1907, its function was to transport the curists from the large hotels in upper Evian to the spring, the thermal refreshment bar and the thermal establishment (today's Palais Lumière).This electrical traction funicular railway without cogs was built in several sections between 1907 and 1913 by the Lausanne engineer Koller for a subsidiary of the Société des eaux minérales. It transports the tourist clientele from the quays (port, thermal establishment and casino) to the large hotels (Splendide, Royal, Ermitage) via the Buvette Cachat (the thermal refreshment bar). It is called "the small Evian metro" because it serves six stations which are decorated with beveled earthenware tiles. Two cars with five compartments each run on the 750-metre line, including 140 metres underground. Closed in 1969, the funicular railway was started up again during summer 2002 after six years of renovation work. It belongs to the city of Evian and is listed as a historical monument. The funicular is a rare piece of European railway heritage and is one of only three survivors of listed funiculars from the 19th and 20th centuries. The lower station is located rue du port, behind the Palais Lumière. The upper station is at the level of the Grange au lac. Departure: every 20 minutes from both stations. Three intermediate stations: Sources - Mateirons - Hotel Royal. A refreshment bar is open at the Funicular top station from 1 July to mid-September from 11am to 7.30pm.

The Evian Tourist Office has a spacious and informative reception desk. Numerous leaflets are available, a shop offers products from the office as well as Evian mineral water, and a children's area has been set up.On sale : - city bus ticket books - parking discs - tickets for guided tours of the town - books published by Evian Town Hall - tickets for shows - Swiss freeway vignette - Léman France tourist pass The reservation center is in charge of fitness stays with the Evian thermal baths, as well as group stays. The Convention Department organizes seminars and meetings by marketing the Palais Lumière and the Palais des Festivités. Two TV screens broadcast information on the city's entertainment and events. Free wifi access. An EVAD office provides information on buses from the Pays d'Evian and Vallée d'Abondance community of communes.