• Decrease text size
• Increase text size
• A friend recommends...

Buildings

The Cachat Spring

Halfway down Rue Nationale, this chef-d'oeuvre of Art Nouveau houses the Evian Mineral Water Information Centre. Walk around the building to visit the springs.

Notre-Dame de l'Assomption church

This medieval church, which dates back to the 13th century, houses the Chemin de Croix ("Way of the Cross") by the artist Pierre Christin.

In 2007, the artist Pierre Christin, an "Evianais" at heart, created specially for the town a "Way of the Cross". Made up of fourteen circular panels, this work illustrates the final hours of Christ, from his death sentence by crucifixion to his final burial.
Non-guided visits to the Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church.

The Palais Lumière

An excellent example of early 20th-century architecture, the Palais Lumière (Evian's thermal baths from 1902 to 1984) was reconverted into a cultural and conference centre in 2006. It houses:

• a renowned exhibition area  

• the C.F. Ramuz multimedia library 

• the convention centre.

The entrance hall, with its remarkable décor, is freely accessible during exhibition opening hours.

The "Villa Lumière" (1885-1896)

The former summer residence of the Lumière family (the inventors of cinema), this sumptuous villa, built in the Renaissance-inspired French classical style, became the Evian town hall in 1927.

Don't miss the bronze sculpture, by the Lyon-based artist Pascal Devaux, of a lioness guarding the monumental oak staircase.

The town hall has preserved the Salon Doré or "Golden Lounge", where marriages are now celebrated. Admire the room's yellow, silk curtains and golden panelling.
Non-guided visits to the foyer, the grand lounge and the "Salon Doré" from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1:30 to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday all year long.

The Theatre and Casino

The Theatre (1880-1885) is a neoclassical work of art built by a student of Charles Garnier (architect of the Paris opera house). Open only during performances.
The Casino was built in 1911 by the architect J.A. Hébrard on the site of Blonay Castle, bequeathed to the town of Evian in 1877 for the creation of a "gaming establishment".

The Fonbonne Castle

During the reign of Amédée V around 1303, a new district was created outside the town walls. The new quarter was named La Touvière, named after the tender limestone or "tuffeau" used in construction. Crowned by a steep, four-sided roof, Fonbonne Castle is this district's last remaining "noble residence". It has managed to retain its Renaissance-style architecture. In 1886, the castle was transformed into a hotel. Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris opera house, was put in charge of renovating several rooms. Today, the castle is privately owned and separated into apartments. Only the former dining hall, purchased by the town of Evian and transformed into an exhibition gallery, is open to the public. During the National Heritage Days, visitors can also access the interior courtyard and the foyer, which has a lift hidden among the Louis XV woodwork.

The Anna-de-Noailles votive garden

Anna de Noailles (1876-1933) (Princess Anna Elisabeth Bassaraba de Brancovan) was a French poet and novelist. She spent her childhood between the lovely gardens of Ile-de-France and the shores of Lake Geneva. "The small town of Evian in Savoy (...) is full of memories for me. That is where, during my childhood, I possessed everything and, during my adolescence, hoped for everything" (excerpt from Exactitudes).

Architect Emilio Therry designed the garden dedicated to her memory by a group of friends and admirers of the poet. It was donated to the town of Evian in 1938. The garden is located in Amphion on Lake Geneva and is open to the public.