Things to do in Divonne-les-Bains
Between the Jura mountains and Lake Geneva, Divonne-les-Bains is best explored on foot from the hotel. Here is what we recommend to our guests, with real travel times.
- Population (2023)
- 10,464
- Altitude
- 509 m
- Geneva
- 20 km away
- Spa town
- since 1849
A water town between the Jura and Lake Geneva
Divonne-les-Bains is a town in the Ain department, in the Pays de Gex, at the foot of the Jura and right on the Swiss border. Some thirty springs rise here and the Divonne river runs through the town: in Roman times, an aqueduct of about ten kilometres carried its water to Nyon.
Today Divonne is part of Greater Geneva. Many residents work in Geneva or the canton of Vaud, and the town lives to the rhythm of its casino, its lake, its markets and its events.
The thermal baths: a history, and a project
Dr Paul Vidart founded the spa in 1849. For more than a century and a half, spa guests built the reputation of Divonne-les-Bains, and the spa status is what allowed the town to open its casino.
Thermal cures have been suspended since 1 January 2023. In 2025 the town selected a €34 million redevelopment project led by Linkcity, but the baths are not expected to reopen for several years. In the meantime, the lake, the golf course and the Jura are the best cures for stress.
Six good reasons to head out
The casino, on our street
Slot machines, roulette and blackjack a 4-minute walk away. All about the casino.
Lake Divonne
A 3.3 km loop, a lifeguarded beach in summer, pedal boats and paddleboards. Our lake guide.
The markets
On Friday mornings and above all on Sunday mornings, on Place Perdtemps. Days, hours and produce.
The Domaine golf course
An 18-hole par 72 course laid out in 1931, 5 minutes by car. Playing golf in Divonne.
The Jura mountains
Skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and views of Mont Blanc, 25 minutes away. Our Jura ideas.
Nyon and Lake Geneva
Nyon Castle, Coppet, the boat to Yvoire and Paléo Festival. The Lake Geneva side.
Highlights of the year
Exact dates change every year: check with the organisers before you book.
- April
Watches and Wonders Geneva
The great watchmaking fair takes place at Palexpo from 5 to 11 April 2027. Geneva hotels sell out: stay in Divonne, 20 minutes away.
- Early July
Les Vaches Folks
Divonne’s folk music festival takes over the racecourse, 7 minutes by car from the hotel. The lake and racecourse area.
- July and August
The lake beach
The lifeguarded DVBeach usually opens from 1 July to 31 August, with pedal boats, canoes and paddleboards to rent.
- Late July
Paléo Festival in Nyon
Six days of concerts and around 230,000 festival-goers, 15 minutes by car (21 to 26 July in 2026). Getting to Paléo from Divonne.
- All year round
L’Esplanade du Lac
The lakeside arts centre stages around thirty shows a season: theatre, comedy and concerts.
- December to March
Skiing in the Monts Jura
Lélex-Crozet and Mijoux-La Faucille are about 25 minutes away. Skiing from Divonne.
All travel times from the hotel
Routes calculated from 315 rue Fontaine (OpenStreetMap). Driving times are without traffic: allow extra time at rush hour towards Geneva.
In Divonne-les-Bains
- 4 min Divonne Casino on foot, 330 m
- 5 min Place Perdtemps (markets) on foot, 350 m
- 9 min Divonne thermal baths (closed, reopening planned) on foot, 700 m
- 10 min Lake Divonne and Esplanade du Lac on foot, 770 m
- 5 min Domaine de Divonne golf course by car, 1.9 km
- 7 min Divonne racecourse by car, 2.1 km
- 9 min Château de Divonne by car, 3.1 km
Geneva and its organisations
- 20 min Geneva Airport by car, 17.1 km
- 20 min Palexpo (trade fairs and congresses) by car, 17.2 km
- 20 min Palais des Nations (UN) by car, 18 km
- 25 min Geneva city centre (Cornavin station) by car, 19.1 km
- 25 min CERN (Meyrin) by car, 22.6 km
- 25 min Voltaire’s Château (Ferney-Voltaire) by car, 18.5 km
Lake Geneva shore
- 15 min Coppet station and castle by car, 7.2 km
- 15 min Nyon (station, castle, lakeshore) by car, 9.6 km
- 15 min Paléo Festival (Nyon) by car, 9.7 km
- 45 min Lausanne by car, 49.9 km
- 60 min Yvoire (by road) by car, 45.9 km
Jura and mountains
- 15 min Gex by car, 8.4 km
- 25 min Monts Jura ski area, Lélex-Crozet by car, 15.9 km
- 25 min Col de la Faucille (Mijoux-La Faucille) by car, 19.2 km
- 40 min La Dôle (Vaud Jura) by car, 18.3 km
- 60 min Annecy by car, 65.3 km
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Divonne-les-Bains?
Walk around Lake Divonne (3.3 km), try your luck at the casino, browse the Sunday morning market, play the Domaine de Divonne golf course, catch a show at the Esplanade du Lac, then take day trips to the Jura, Nyon or Geneva.
Are the Divonne-les-Bains thermal baths open?
No. Thermal cures have been suspended since 1 January 2023. In 2025 the town selected a €34 million redevelopment project, but the baths are not expected to reopen for several years.
Is Divonne-les-Bains in France or Switzerland?
Divonne-les-Bains is in France, in the Ain department (Pays de Gex), right on the Swiss border. Nyon in Switzerland is 15 minutes away and Geneva about 20 minutes by car.
How do I get from Divonne-les-Bains to Geneva?
By car, allow about 20 minutes to the airport and 25 minutes to central Geneva outside rush hour. By public transport, bus 814 links Divonne to Coppet station, where trains run to Geneva.
Where can I swim in Divonne-les-Bains?
In Lake Divonne: the lifeguarded DVBeach usually opens from 1 July to 31 August. Lake Geneva is also 15 minutes away, at Coppet or Nyon.
You may also like
See you on rue Fontaine
A quiet room, French cooking with local produce and the whole town on foot: book online or give us a call.