Lake Geneva leman. Lake Geneva, France Lake Geneva Switzerland landmarks
Located east of Geneva, this largest lake in Western Europe is often compared to a huge mirror lying between the French-speaking canton de Vaux to the north and France to the south. Why a mirror? Because the waters of Leman often remain perfectly calm throughout the day, reflecting every bush and house on the shore like a mirror.
Transport
Most of the cities have water connections on the Compagnie Génerale de navigation (CGN) ferries. These are good modern vessels, despite the fact that CGN was founded in the early 20th century. In some cases, boats are faster than other transport (between Lausanne and Evian, for example). In other cases, boats, of course, are slower than trains, but much more picturesque.
The waters of Lake Geneva often remain perfectly calm throughout the day, reflecting every bush and house on the shore like a mirror.
The main resorts of Lake Geneva
There are resorts on Lake Geneva for all categories of vacationers: Montreux is aristocratic, mainly for older people, Lausanne is more youthful. The shores of the lake are considered one of the most beautiful in the world, and the surrounding towns are full of ancient monuments. This area is often and deservedly called the Swiss Riviera, because its banks are emerald vineyards on lime hilly slopes.
Lake Geneva
Regional Pass
Regional Pass (for 7 days 1/2 class 190/130 CHF) allows you to travel free on buses and trains throughout the canton for 3 days, and half price for 4. The pass also gives a 50% discount on CGN ferries and about 25% on the Diableret lifts. There is also a five-day pass (1st/2nd class 155/105 CHF). Swiss Rail Pass holders have a 20% discount on the Regional Pass.
Prices on the page are for November 2019.
4 things to do on Lake Geneva
- Take a walk through the emerald meadows on the slopes of the hills.
- Swim in the always calm but cool water of Lake Geneva.
- Find your charm both in aristocratic Montreux and in youthful Lausanne.
- Arrange a feast for the stomach and rest for the soul, enjoying fondue, tiramisu and wines.
Hotels
In the resorts of Lake Geneva, you can find hotels not only for every taste and budget, but also for any "liveness" of the spirit - whether it's respectable Montreux, youthful Lausanne or universal Geneva.
Cuisine and restaurants
In the cities and resorts of Lake Geneva, as well as everywhere in Switzerland, it is worth eating fondue, drinking wine, and having a bite of excellent tiramisu. Particular attention should be paid to wines from lands grown to the west of Lausanne. You can try them in local caveaux (wine cellars).
Guides on Lake Geneva
Entertainment and attractions of Lake Geneva
Fans of thermal baths, spas and similar delights can head north to Yverdon-les-Bains, where Lake Neuchâtel is located and thermal springs with him.
And in the southeast of the canton and the lake, the path opens to the beautiful Alpine mountains of Vaudoises (Vaud Alps) - a paradise for travelers in spring and summer, and in winter - a ski paradise. In the summer, by the way, they also ride here, on the Diableret Glacier. Finally, Lake Geneva is home to many famous international events, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, which takes place every July.
A Deep Purple song titled Smoke on the Water was recorded in December 1971 in the aftermath of the Montreux Casino fire.
Lake Geneva, France (France) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
- Tours for May To France
- Hot tours To France
The largest alpine lake, divided between the two countries by the will of history, Geneva is one of the most popular tourist places Europe. Its northern shores belong to Switzerland, the southern ones - to France, and several kilometers of impeccably clean water surface of deep blue color separate them. Lake Geneva in France is patriotically called Lac-Leman - and it actually consists of two reservoirs: Big and Small. Despite the fact that tourism in full swing is observed mainly on the Swiss coast, the French coast has also not been left out of the tourist boom. The most popular resort of the Republic of Thonon-les-Bains is not very well known in the Russian market, but its younger brother Evian annually receives a significant portion of domestic tourists.
How to get to Lake Geneva
The nearest airports to the lake are in Geneva (40 km to Thonon) and Annecy (80 km). Annecy airport is mainly boarded by domestic airlines and European low-cost airlines, as well as seasonal charters, while the Geneva airport receives flights from all over the world.
You can also arrive on the French coast of Lac-Leman from its Swiss part. Transport connection carried out by the Swiss Navigation Company Lac-Lehman. Travel by ferry from Geneva and Montreux will take about 45 minutes, from Lausanne - no more than half an hour. Also on the water you can move between French resorts Lake Geneva - Thonon and Evian, for example, are only 10 minutes away by boat.
In summer, the air on Lake Geneva warms up to +25 .. +28 ° C, the water temperature in July and August is +22 .. +24 ° C, which is great for swimming.
The climate of the region
The resorts of Lake Geneva are dominated by a temperate continental climate. Winters here are moderately mild, and summers are not too hot. average temperature winter season fluctuates between 0.. +10 °C. At the same time, it is quite chilly on the lake shores and with positive thermometer readings, the reason for this is high humidity and frequent piercing wind. In summer, the air on Lake Geneva warms up to +25 .. +28 ° C, the water temperature in July and August is +22 .. +24 ° C, which is great for swimming.
Lake Geneva and Evian
Resorts of the French part of Lake Geneva
Evian is the most popular among Russian tourists resort on the French coast of Lake Geneva, known not only for a couple of dozen quality hotels and convenient beaches, but also mineral water brand of the same name. The subject of increased interest of tourists here is one of the best spa complexes in Europe with a pompous but true name "Evian Royal Spa". Among other things, drinking Evian water is indicated for a whole range of diseases, and the resort has "serious" clinics. Well, among the local attractions are the country house of the Lumiere brothers, a theater, a casino, old castle Fontbonne, as well as the Pre-Curier Water Garden and cable car on the mountain of the Shabla massif.
Thonon-les-Bains (or simply Thonon) is the largest resort in the French part of Lac-Leman. In addition to excellent conditions for recovery and beach holiday(more than twenty hotels, the ultra-modern spa complex "Valvital" and its own thermal spring Versois "included") Thonon can offer tourists an incredible "excursion" in scope. The city was once the capital of the historical province of Chablais, owned by the counts of Savoy, and has a considerable number of attractions, including the majestic Ripaille castle (the last antipope Amedeus VIII once rested here in Bose) and the medieval watchtower Lang.
Saint-Gingolph is famous for its unique location - "with one foot" the city is located in Switzerland, the other - in France, and the border between the two countries sometimes runs right along the streets of the city. The "chips" of the direction are a magnificent beach (divided into Swiss and French parts) and a good "excursion". Saint-Gingolph beach is sandy, small, but with good infrastructure - cafes / restaurants, volleyball and petanque courts, water rescue service. Of the attractions - the historic quarters of the city, the church of the 18th century and the interesting Museum of Traditions and Navigation Lac-Leman.
Yvoire, although it cannot boast of a healing "mineral water", but it has a nice secluded beach. It is proposed to stay here in cozy private guesthouses. Yvoire has an unusually long and rich history, traces of which can be found in the narrow streets of the historic city center, which, by the way, is included in the State List of the most beautiful villages France. Among the entertainment - boat trips along Lake Geneva and the most beautiful cycle route "Vaudoise" to the fishing village of Nernier.
Nature has generously endowed Switzerland, and it is no longer surprising that the inhabitants of this Western European country are distinguished by an unusually peaceful character and complaisance. After all, when you live among such beauty, you somehow begin to feel the value and meaning of human life in a special way. Not for nothing in the vicinity of the most famous in Europe Lake Geneva found peace of mind and drew inspiration from many creative people of world renown.
Here, at different times, writers Vladimir Nabokov and Graham Greene, big screen stars Charlie Chaplin and Audrey Hepburn, rock singer Freddie Mercury and musicians from the Deep Purple group moved away from the bustle of the world. Indeed, it is impossible not to fall in love with the azure expanse of this, the second largest freshwater lake in Europe, in which the snow-capped peaks of the Alpine peaks are reflected. Located on the very border between France and Switzerland, most of Lake Geneva belongs to the latter. It has a crescent shape, stretching from West to East for more than 70 kilometers and is conditionally divided into a small and a large lake. Northern part lakes, owned by Switzerland, is famous for its extraordinary abundance of fashionable resorts, which together make up the concept "Swiss Riviera". There is also a huge number of residences of various international political, economic and public organizations.
An interesting fact, but most often the locals call the lake not Geneva, but Leman. It is believed that the topology of this word originates from the period of Roman rule in these places. Lacus Lemannus - that's what the Romans called this large freshwater lake. Some time later, after the strengthening of Swiss statehood, the lake began to be called Lac de Geneve, that is, Geneva. However, in the middle of the 18th century, they again decided to return to the historical name Lac Leman, which has taken root and is now the most used.
Cities near Lake Geneva
It is not surprising that the natural beauty of Lake Geneva led to the construction of a large number of resort towns and villages along its coast. Let's try to consider the most significant of them.
Geneva
Most Big City on the coast and the second largest in Switzerland, which, in fact, gave the name to the lake. However, the Swiss themselves jokingly call Geneva a "foreign city", since most of its inhabitants are not citizens of the Confederation. According to experts, Geneva today is the most beautiful and environmentally friendly city on the planet. Its main attraction and unspoken symbol is the famous city fountain, the largest in Europe, which today is over 120 years old.
A powerful hydraulic installation ejects about five hundred liters of water in one second, which shoots up more than 150 meters. Tourists from all over the world enjoy this extraordinary spectacle, which is most impressive when viewed from the Mont Blanc bridge. The fountain does not stop working for a second, only on abnormally frosty days it is temporarily turned off.
No less famous in the world and Geneva flower clock lined with colorful live plants. Chronometer shows exact time, and the length of its second hand reaches two and a half meters.
The distinctive architectural dominant of Geneva is Saint Paul's Cathedral, located in the Old Town, and erected by the townspeople in the XIII century. The cultural heart of the city is New Square, which houses the city theatre, the conservatory and the art museum Rath, which regularly hosts international exhibitions.
Lausanne
A little more than fifty kilometers from Geneva is the second largest resort center of the coast - Lausanne, which is also administrative center canton of Vaud. Being historical center regional winemaking and located in a picturesque place, Lausanne has long attracted vacationers and travelers.
Over the years, its guests were the great geniuses of their time Byron, Mozart, Dickens, Hugo and many other creative people.
According to eyewitnesses, the views of Lake Geneva from the Lausanne embankment are the most impressive among all the other coastal resorts.
The city itself is full of cultural and entertainment venues, which is why it hosts a large number of various international festivals every year. The main attractions of the city include the Bel Air Metropol Trading House, the height of the central tower of which reaches 67 meters, as well as the Hermitage, Champs Elysee, Mon Repos and Olimpiysky city parks, stunning in their cleanliness and well-groomed. For tourists looking for peace and concentrated retreat, Lausanne will be a real find.
Montreux
No less popular among connoisseurs of natural beauty is another resort center of Lake Geneva - the city of Montreux, located on east coast lakes, 40 kilometers from Lausanne. Indeed, the place is wonderful. The city is comfortably located on a small hill, on one side of which there are picturesque alpine peaks, and on the other, a stunning view of the crystal mirror of one of the most beautiful lakes in the world opens up.
The unique microclimate provided the city with a lush development of bright and rich vegetation. It is also noteworthy that the last 17 years of his life in the city were spent by the brilliant Russian émigré writer Vladimir Nabokov. IN different time composers Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Igor Stravinsky, writer Leo Tolstoy drew creative energy here.
Today Montreux was chosen by fans active rest who are attracted here by the opportunity to endlessly indulge in their favorite pastime: water skiing, mountaineering, equestrian sports, golf and just long cycling and hiking around the city. Not far from Montreux is also the most famous architectural monument of Switzerland - Chillon Castle.
Vevey
Halfway between Lausanne and Montreux is another beautiful resort center of Lake Geneva - Vevey, famous for its unusually rich and colorful annual peasant fairs. Vevey is also notable for the fact that the great silent film actor Charlie Chaplin lived here for the last years and found his last refuge. In memory of this event, a monument to the "great mute" was erected in the city.
The famous writers Ernest Hemingway, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Nikolai Gogol, who rested in it at different times, brought no less fame to the city. Vevey is also famous for the abundance of museums of various thematic focus. Here you can find the Museum of Photography, the Museum of Clocks, the Museum of Games and the Museum of Food. The city is most beautiful and popular with tourists from April to October, when favorable and mild weather sets in Vevey.
Yverdon-les-Bains
Another wonderful recreation center located in the vicinity of Lake Geneva is the city of Yverdon-les-Bains, which combines the advantages of balneological, thermal and lake resorts. Situated on an elevated site, Yverdon-les-Bains is the only resort town in the region that has a naturally created sandy beach.
This resort is considered the center of the extremely popular "rural tourism" today. Near Yverdon-les-Bains is the largest nature reserve in Switzerland, in which herds of bison roam freely, bears and wolves are found.
Healing thermal springs attract guests from all over the world to Yverdon-les-Bains.
Flower beauty of Lake Geneva
In addition to active skiing and water recreation, for which the Lake Geneva region is famous, tens of thousands of tourists regularly come here, preferring aesthetic enjoyment of extraordinary wealth natural beauties Switzerland. We note right away that the most famous lake in Europe is located in unique place. From all sides it is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges, which not only delight the eye local residents and visitors, but also protect the lake from cold winds.
Thanks to this, an unusually mild and calm climate has formed around Lake Geneva, which, like a magnet, attracts guests from all over the world. Even in the hottest month of June, the average air temperature here does not rise above +30ºС, and in winter it does not fall below 0ºС.
Tourists are not at all surprised by the fact that resort town Montreux on the open ground grow real palm trees. However, if palm trees are just an exception and the fruit of the labor of the caring hands of the Swiss, then wild meadow flowers growing in abundance around Lake Geneva are a real miraculous miracle of nature.
During the flowering period, it seems that the turquoise expanse of the lake rests in a colorful and colorful wreath of all kinds of plants. Tulips, poppies, daffodils and anemones grow mainly in local meadows and fields, as well as many other types of beautiful flowers. It is noteworthy that for more than four decades in the Geneva city of Morges, tulip festival, organized by the local Horticultural Society.
Primroses are the first to appear in the city park, after which the most diverse representatives of the bulbs enter the motley flower choir: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths. total area park flower plantings is more than 30 thousand square meters, which creates a truly unique spectacle.
Castles - sights of Lake Geneva
In the lake area there is a huge number of various attractions, both historical and cultural value. Here, an inquisitive tourist will be able to find about eight dozen different museum institutions that reveal and illuminate the most diverse eras and trends in Swiss history, culture and life. Among them are a large number of monuments belonging to the Roman era in the history of the region, a huge number of medieval architectural and fortifications.
Only various castles and fortifications here can be counted more than a hundred. However, no more than two dozen of them are open to the public today.
Grandson Castle (Château de Grandson)
This historical landmark, located 30 kilometers north of Lausanne, on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel, is dear to the heart of every Swiss. The prototype of the Granson castle existed in these places more than 10 centuries ago. A more modern present look was given to it by the Savoyard nobleman and knight Othon I de Granson, who was a friend of the English king Edward the First and his comrade-in-arms in the Eighth Crusade. The castle went down in history thanks to the famous Battle of Granson, which took place in 1476 between the troops of the Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold and the troops of the Swiss Confederation. Then a simple Swiss militia inflicted a crushing defeat on the trained regular army of the ambitious duke, who dreamed of conquering all of Europe.
Over time, Granson Castle began to serve as a local prison, with all its inherent attributes: cells, torture rooms and courtrooms. In the middle of the 20th century, the castle was once again restored and turned into an entertaining museum. In addition to the chilling torture hall with a rack, axes, tongs and various executioner's tools, there is a completely peaceful and educational car museum, among the exhibits of which you can see rare models that previously belonged to politician Winston Churchill and actress Greta Garbo.
Chillon Castle
This, the most famous castle in Switzerland, is located near the city of Montreux, on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva.
It owes its world fame to the English poet Byron, who sang the citadel in his poem "The Prisoner of Chillon". Moreover, the prototype of the main character of the poem was a real man by the name of François Bonivard, who, for his sympathy with the ideas of the Reformation, was imprisoned by the Duke of Savoy in the dungeons of Chillon.
Scientists believe that the Chillon Castle was erected in the XIII century on a small rocky island connected with the coast by a narrow wooden bridge. At the same time, the foundation of the castle was not built in the usual way for us, but simply carved into the rocky rock. Thus, gloomy and dark dungeons appeared at its base, which previously contained various criminals and enemies of the house of the Dukes of Savoy.
The upper part of the castle consists of several dozen structures of different heights, united by three fortified courtyards, which was typical of medieval fortification architecture. Over the years, the castle has been visited by well-known creative personalities, among which, in addition to Lord Byron, one can name Percy Shelley, Victor Hugo, Hans Christian Andersen, Auguste Flaubert, Mark Twain and Charles Dickens.
The long history of the castle is emphasized by its austere Romanesque architectural style, diluted with elements of early Gothic. Its extraordinary appearance, combined with the beautiful nature of Lake Geneva, gives rise to amazing associations among visitors. Today the castle is open to visitors, and inside there are rich expositions of objects, weapons and utensils belonging to the medieval era.
In a word, in the vicinity of Lake Geneva there is where to relax your body and soul, where you can improve your health and there is something to see.
The park is a paradise. Multi-colored paragliders soar in the air, yachts and boats surf the blue expanse of the lake. Here you can just walk, enjoying the murmur of fountains and the fragrance of flowers.
And you can visit the Olympic Museum - the exhibition site of the Olympic Movement, with permanent and traveling exhibitions, a unique collection of objects related to the Olympics, the Olympic Learning Center, a library, a video library, an educational department, an auditorium, meeting rooms, a restaurant and a souvenir shop.
Coordinates: 46.51209800,6.63291900
Lake Geneva
Cozy beaches are located along the shores - grassy or in the form of platforms raised above the ground. Here you can rent a yacht, a pedalo or a boat.
The water in Leman is very clean, but cold: it warms up only in July. Travelers are attracted here by the mild warm climate, clean air, emerald vineyards on the slopes of the mountains and lush vegetation against the backdrop of the snow-capped Alps. Lake Geneva has many world-renowned medical institutions that use high-tech treatment methods.
Many small towns near Lehman are full of ancient monuments. The area near the lake is called the Swiss Riviera, paying tribute to its beauty.
Coordinates: 46.48893800,6.55334500
And what sights of Lake Geneva did you like? There are icons next to the photo, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.
Chillon Castle
Chillon Castle stands on a rock that rises slightly above the surface of the lake, and is connected to the shore by a bridge. Combination natural conditions and features of the building allowed the castle to control the strategically important road that ran between the lake and the mountains. For a long time this road to the St. Bernard Pass served as the only transport route from Northern Europe to the South. It has not lost its significance so far.
The device of the castle is striking in its luxury. In the Great Hall with the coat of arms of Savoy, there is a magnificent ceiling and an imposing fireplace of the 15th century. Oak columns, beautiful furniture and a collection of pewter draw attention. In the old Celebration Hall, decorated with a wooden ceiling in the shape of an inverted underwater part of the ship, there is currently a museum of weapons (a musket decorated with mother-of-pearl and bone, in the butt of which you can store gunpowder), armor, pewter, and furniture. In the spacious Knight's or Armorial Hall, there are coats of arms of Bernese officials on the walls.
From the roof of the donjon, which can be reached by climbing a narrow staircase, offers a beautiful view of the lake and the Alps.
Coordinates: 46.41416700,6.92750000
Lake Geneva (Leman) is located on the border of Switzerland (northern coast - the cantons of Geneva and Waadt) and France (Department of Savoy). This is the second largest (after Balaton) freshwater lake in Central Europe, its area is 581.3 km².
The average difference between water levels in February and August is 1248 mm. The lake has the shape of a crescent with a bend in the area of the village of Yvoire.
Unlike other alpine lakes, the waters of Leman are surprisingly blue. The picturesque view of the lake, surrounded by mountain slopes, combined with a warm climate (heat-loving pomegranates grow here in open ground) makes the northeastern coast a favorite vacation spot. The abundance of various cultural and historical sites (for example, the Chillon Castle) also attracts tourists.
Coordinates: 46.44353500,6.55128500
fountain of justice
The Fountain of Justice is located on Place Palud in Lausanne, 300 meters from Cathedral. This is the oldest fountain in Lausanne - the fountain's pool dates back to 1557.
The originality of the fountain is expressed in the unusual colored central statue of the goddess Justice, which is unusual for the Russian eye. This is a copy installed during the reconstruction of the fountain in the 19th century. But the original statue, created in 1585, was also in color. The fountain is the center of the architectural ensemble of Palud Square and creates a unique atmosphere of a medieval European town. Behind the fountain "Justice" there is a covered picturesque staircase leading to the Cathedral.
Coordinates: 46.52174700,6.63325600
Market Square
The Market Square opposite Lake Geneva is a place where travelers can observe countless shopping ideas, both in large department stores and in small shops.
Every Saturday, in July and August, picturesque peasant fairs take place on the cobblestones of the square. And in the fall, local winegrowers gather here on weekends, most of whom are dressed in national costumes. In addition, the square hosts the annual International Comedy Film Festival in August. Surrounded by the square, you can find rich, exquisite villas, lost among the green vineyards.
Coordinates: 46.45891700,6.84691600
Palud Square
Palud Square (Palyud, Palyu) is an excellent example of medieval stone architecture. The main building of the square dates back to the 18th-19th centuries.
The multi-colored old houses combine the general Renaissance style and the pastel colors of the shutters on the windows. The heart of the architectural ensemble of the square is the City Hall building and the Justice fountain. The town hall is adorned with a clock tower, arcades and ancient roof silhouettes. From 8.00 to 19.00 the clock plays a melody hourly. Then small figures come out of the clock, illustrating some episode from the history of the city. Behind the fountain "Justice" there is a covered picturesque staircase leading to the Cathedral. The square itself is paved with stone. Historically, there was a market on Place de la Palud, but even today, fresh vegetables and fruits are sold here on weekends.
Coordinates: 46.52175900,6.63324500
Are you curious to know how well you know the sights of Lake Geneva? .
Town Hall of Lausanne
The City Hall building was erected in the 17th century and is considered one of the sights of Lausanne. The Town Hall is located 300 meters from the Cathedral on Place de la Palud.
The building of the City Hall was built on the old foundations left over from the previous buildings. Despite the fact that the guidebooks indicate the year of construction as 1675, the part of the building overlooking the market dates from the fourteenth century. In addition to its direct purpose, the Town Hall was used for other purposes. For example, there was a grain market on the ground floor. And in 1766, a Mozart concert was held in the City Hall. In addition, the tower of the Town Hall was used to warn the citizens of danger.
Coordinates: 46.52198100,6.63260900
The most popular attractions on Lake Geneva with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places Lake Geneva on our website.
More sights of Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva, or Lake Leman, as the French call it, is a lake in Switzerland and France, one of the largest lakes in Western Europe. 59.53% of its territory, which is equal to 345.31 km2, is under the jurisdiction of Switzerland (the cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Vales), and 40.47%, or 234.71 km2, under France. The average elevation above sea level is 372 meters, the water level is controlled by the Dam in Geneva. Lake Geneva was formed by a retreating glacier and figuratively divided into Big Lake to the east and Little Lake to the west. The Chablais Alps limit it South coast, the western Bernese Alps are located on its eastern side. high peaks Mont Blanc are visible from some points.
It is one of the most outstanding natural sights in Switzerland. The first recorded name of the lake is Lacus Lemanus, which dates back to Roman times. After the sunrise of Geneva, the lake was named Lac de Geneve. In the 18th century, the name Leman in French was restored, which is the common name for the French. On modern English language the name Lake Geneva prevails. 
Lake Geneva is the most big mass water in Switzerland. One of its features is the shape of a crescent, with horns pointing south. The northern coast extends for 95 km, the southern coast for 72 km. The greatest depth of the lake is recorded in the place between Evian and Lausanne and is 310 meters, and the width in this place is only 13 kilometers. 
The beauty of the shores of the lake is well known and attracts many tourists and travelers. At the eastern end of the lake between Vevy and Villeneuve, the landscape takes on an Alpine character. northern shores covered with vines on the slopes, with densely packed villages and castles. 
In 563, according to the writings of Gregory Tours and Marius Aventisensis, a tsunami swept along the lake, destroying Fort Tauredunum and other settlements, and causing numerous deaths in Geneva. Simulations indicate that this event was most likely caused by a massive landslide near the Rhone delta, which caused an eight-meter-high wave to reach Geneva within 70 minutes. In 888 the city was part of the new Kingdom of Burgundy, and was taken over in 1033 by the German Emperor. 
In the late 1960s, pollution made it dangerous to swim on some of the beaches of Lake Geneva, with underwater visibility close to zero. By the 1980s, intense pollution environment nearly wiped out all the fish. Today, pollution levels have been drastically reduced and it is safe to swim and sunbathe on local beaches again. The main recreational activities include sailing, surfing, rowing, snorkeling and swimming. 
Let's list some Interesting Facts. In 1827, Lake Geneva became the site for the first measurement of the speed of sound in water. Especially for the lake, high-performance catamarans were developed to arrange yacht races, which have become quite a popular sport. 
Mary and Percy Shelley, as well as Lord Byron, spent their holidays in these places and wrote ghost stories, one of which became the basis for the novel Frankenstein. Vladimir Lenin rented a chalet for French shores near Geneva. Actor Charlie Chaplin spent his final years and died in Vevy (a memorial statue has been erected). Pop singer Phil Collins lives in a house overlooking the lake. The Queen group owned the Recording Studios (which are still in use today) in Montreux. There is a statue of soloist Freddie Mercury, who also owned a house in Montreux, on the northern shore of the lake. Former Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher lives with his family near the lake.
