First trip to Geneva & Annemasse!
 

I'm going SAN-LGW-GVA next week. Then taking the train to Annemasse for 6 days. Anyone want to give me recommendations as to what to see and do?

I lived in Genève as a student about 10 years ago so I'm sure most my info is out of date. But these things are still pretty up to date since my last trip and speaking to friends who still live there.

Do walk along Lac Leman (that's Lake Geneva for Americans) enjoying the sun and buy a chocolate crepe as a snack.

Avoid shopping near Gare Cornavain - it is all tourist overpriced shops.

If you want to experience a real hole in the wall bar full of alcholics go to the Post Café at 7 Rue de Berne (maybe this should be posted on the hangover thread in Community since this was the cause of my daily suffering when I lived there)

Annemasse is a very pretty town.

Fondue or Raclette is a delicious meal in either city.

Enjoy the trip.

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I Love New York -- Viva España

Taking the train to Annemasse? I suppose you know that train leaves from the gare des Eaux-Vives, which is not linked to the Swiss railway system. To get there you will have to transfer twice (train from airport to Cornavin station, then tram #16 to 'Amandolier SNCF' station). Then it takes 10 minutes to downtown Annemasse.


Not too much to do in Annemasse, which is a rather down-to-earth town; however restaurants there have a much better price/quality ratio than across the border in Geneva. Some areas of Annemasse get a little sketchy late at night (idle youngsters mostly). If you are close enough to the border, walking over or taking a bus to the Moillesulaz border crossing will get you to the Geneva tram, which is more convenient than taking the SNCF commuter train to Eaux-Vives.

Most of my visitors cover Geneva within two days. The museums are not world-class, the international organisations are but office buildings, and shopping is expensive. Renting a bicycle and cruising around the lakeshore with a few ice-cream stops is pleasant in August.

There are nice day trips to be done on the northern shore of the lake (anywhere between Nyon and Vevey, minus the suburbs of Lausanne), either by train and/or boat. The Swiss railways have day passes which are a good deal for a long day trips to the Alps (e.g. Interlaken area, Zermatt, etc.)

We are actually staying in a town called Cranves-Sales. Ever heard of it? We will have bicycles and cars so anything is possible. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

I don't know about Cranves-Sales. However, I liked Annecy, which is not far. One of the nicest small (old) towns I have ever seen. Interesting boat tours on Lake Annecy.
Nearby is a place for para sailing/gliding.

This is what I am able to purchase online to train to Annemasse:
Strecke/Fahrplan
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Online Fahrplan

Ab: Genève-Aéroport
An: Annemasse
Via: Genève/Genève-Eaux-Vives
Datum: 01.08.02
Abfahrt Zeit: 18:09
Ankunft Zeit: 19:05
Klasse: 2

Tarif des billets / trajet / sorte de billets

CHF 4.00 / Genève - Annemessa / 2ème classe, aller simple,
abonnement général


I can't wait for some good raclette!


[This message has been edited by emaij (edited 07-26-2002).]

What this online itinerary does not tell you is that there are two mandatory transfers...
Get the details at http://www.tpg.ch/Horaires/Itinerair...eraire.En.html , entering 'Aéroport' and 'Gare Eaux-Vives'.


Cranves-Sales is about 5km out of Annemasse on D907; this is good news since most villages in the area are quaint, especially the ones north of Annemasse along the Swiss border.

If you have bicycles, there is great riding in the area for all levels. Buy a detailed Michelin map at any local bookstore. For a good workout, ride up any of the nearby mountains on the east (about 700-1,000m climb); for an easy one, go down to the lake through Swiss vineyards and farmland, and Geneva's high-end real estate on the left bank.

If you have a car, some good day trips out of the area are:
- southern shore of lac Léman between Hermance and Evian
- a day in the area between Lausanne and Vevey (beautiful view over the lake), with perhaps a visit to the château de Chillon, and a lunch in Cully followed by a short hike up to Epesses (very good white wines).
- driving on the lakeside road between Nyon and Rolle, returning by the small roads in the vineyards, with a 'malakoff' lunch (if you like raclette you should love those) in Bursins (I favor Hôtel de l'Union)
- Chamonix / Mt. Blanc, a little touristy but only an hour away
- Burgundy is two hours away by highway, but probably better as an overnight trip
- Swiss Alps are two hours away; I would rank the Bernese Oberland villages as prettier than the ski stations in Valais; once again, better as an overnight trip.


If you have a car and bikes, I surmise you also have access to a kitchen http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif . The 'hypermarchés' (Carrefour, Champion, Leclerc, etc.) next door in Ville-la-Grand have better prices and selection than local stores; in fact many Geneva residents shop there. Gasoline however is cheaper in Switzerland.

To cross the border, there are only 7 or so manned border crossings (on the main roads). Locals know where the other ones are http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif. Unladen cars with local plates and non-minority drivers (sad but true) are usually waved through.

August 1st is the Swiss national day, if you want to go mingle with locals and watch fireworks (in every village). The yearly 'Fêtes de Genève' are held August 2-11; as a Geneva native, I view them as a nuisance as the entire lakefront is covered with unsightly rollercoasters and such, but children appreciate them.


Bathing in the lake is something I first and last did 20 years ago. Duck-borne fleas are present in some areas.

Thank you so much for that golden information. Exactly what I'm looking for.

My pleasure http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Some more random ideas:
- Gruyère (home of the cheese with holes) is 1:30 away and could be included either as a lunch stop on the way to the Bernese Oberland, or to a northern lakeshore trip. It has a nice fortified castle.
- Nyon would be a good tea break on the lakeshore drive; castle, some Roman ruins, small old town. Crowded on weekends. Stay on N1 and avoid the saturated A1 highway.
- if you really want to drive through alpine passes (quite different from SAN) the best would be to go to the Bernese Oberland, and come back the next day through the Furka, Oberalp, and Grimsel passes. Not for the timid driver but truly memorable.
- some good hiking in the nearby and underrated Jura mountains, rolling hills with fir trees and fresh air. St. Cergue would be a good starting point. Stay on the paths though, geologically it is an old sediment formation full of crevices...
- the Geneva old town is pleasant. Many eateries. Antique shops are overpriced.
- bookstores: no good bookstores left in Geneva IMO. The city is intellectually barren.
- Zeller on place Longemalle is my chocolate shop of choice. For inexpensive boxed chocolate, the Placette department store near the main station is best
- as Redhead mentioned, the stores on rue du Mt.Blanc near the station are tourist traps. Hmm, rue de Berne is best known as the local red light district...
- parking rates in downtown Geneva go up exponentially after 2 hours, and the city center is car-unfriendly. Best to find some street parking (hard near the lake) and walk, the city is small enough to be covered on foot
- Geneva is full of traffic radars. If everyone slows down, slow down too! You'll soon see a light off-green painted box on the roadside. Alternatively, drive at the speed limit.


I'm leaving this weekend for my summer vacation. Let me know beforehand if you have any specific questions.