Touristy Places Around Annemasse Best Experienced by Bike
20-05-2026
A round-up of day-trip and multi-day destinations within reach — each town has its own distinct character and is genuinely more enjoyable by bike than by car (parking, lakeside roads, old-town streets)
Annemasse
The tourist office, conveniently situated near the train station and Geneva Cycling shop, can also help you select your destination.
Geneva
This iconic city is just 20 minutes away from Annemasse via a dedicated bike path. Its quays are easily accessible by bike and offer a stunning view of the "Jet d’eau", from where you can admire the city's rich architecture. Also, you can enjoy walking through the old-city, filled with history. Or through the numerous parks and places of the city.
© T. Garcia
Yvoire
Yvoire is a beautiful medieval city on the shores of Lake Geneva, guarded by ramparts and towers. Its streets are filled with art galleries and typical restaurants in a decor worthy of your expectations. It separates the "little" and "big" parts of Lake Geneva and is well-linked by ferries. It is situated only 1 hour and 20 minutes from Annemasse, riding on small roads bordered by vineyards.
Lausanne
Lausanne is a large city, with its historic center situated uphill and the university and modern parts downhill by Lake Léman. It is reachable in only 4 hours and a half by bike along the shores of the lake or by boat via the Yvoire-St Prex connection.
Lausanne is home to the International Olympic Committee, which organizes and hosts the Olympic Games.
Tourist office near the historic city
Tourist office near the train station
Evian-Les-Bains
Situated 3 hours away from Annemasse, Evian offers a tranquil atmosphere with a promenade by the lake or a stroll through the pedestrian and bicycle-friendly streets of the center.
Aix-les-Bains
This thermal city was very famous during the 19th and 20th centuries for its luxurious experience and was accessible by train from all over Europe. Nowadays, it has conserved its Belle-Époque charm and luxury but is less crowded. The interior of the Casino can be visited to admire the mosaics and beautiful ceilings.
© JL. Rigaux/Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Chambéry
Historic Capital of Savoy where the dukes of Savoy lived, it is famous for its calm streets in the center. It has an elephant fountain, which features 4 elephants spraying water through their trunks in the central square.
© Pioucube/Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Montreux
This Swiss city, at the opposite side of Lake Geneva, is famous for its quays that border the lake and for being the place where the group Queen recorded their songs. A museum is dedicated to them in the Casino and a statue of Freddie Mercury stands by the lake.
Annecy
Annecy is a very touristic city, its beautiful old city is situated right next to Annecy lake and the famous "Pont des Amours" (Bridge of Love). The Thiou, a little river that passes through the center of the city, resembles a canal. This is why Annecy is nicknamed "La Venise des Alpes." You can swim in the lake and then enjoy a fondue in one of the numerous restaurants of the city center.
It is only 2 hours and a half away (or 1 hour by train) from Annemasse, with the road taking you to the foot of the Salève and through traditional villages like La Muraz (pronounced "La Mura") or Menthonnex-en-Bornes.
© R. Schleipman/Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
It is 5 hours away by bike through the Arve valley greenway, or accessible using a train to St-Gervais-les-Bains le Fayet. As its name suggests, it is situated at the foot of Mont-Blanc. It is a touristic but authentic city, filled with chalets and traversed by the Arve.
Lyon
The city was originally created by the Romans on the Fourvière Hill, where the cathedral now stands and which offers a panoramic view over the city, and even Mont-Blanc on sunny days.
Then it moved downhill to the actual old town during the middle ages. Finally during the 19th century, the silk industry made the city boom and it expanded to the hill of Croix-Rousse where workers lived and the presqu’île where the rich and retailers lived.
By bike, Lyon is very accessible, from the free zoo of the Tête d’Or park to the pedestrian and bikes only main street of Lyon, from the city hall, through la Place des Terreaux until la place Bellecour passing by the place des Jacobins.
You can continue your trip through the city until you reach Confluence, a modern district where the Rhône and Saône meet.
You can also travel through the “Traboules”, hidden passages between buildings in the old town.
A nice sight but a bit further is the great park of Miribel-Jonage, where swimming is allowed and nature is unlimited.
Lyon is accessible on a several days trip following the Viarhona or by train from everywhere!
Also, the first weekend of December is organized the festival of lights in Lyon, an impressive, pedestrian-only experience in the heart of the city.
© B. Becker/Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme
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