La Balme de Sillingy is a town in Haute-Savoie, in the Rhône Alpes region, located about 10 km northwest of Annecy. It is nestled at the foot of the Mandallaz mountain and borders the municipalities of Sillingy, Pringy, Cuvat, Épagny, and Choisy. The population of La Balme de Sillingy currently exceeds 5000 inhabitants, known as Balméens, and spans an area of 1,651 hectares.
Cultural Facilities
Library and Multimedia Space
The library is a place for meetings and exchanges. Activities are frequently organized: read-aloud sessions, storytelling, exhibitions, etc. You will find more than 10,000 books there. It is located on the 1st floor of Espace 2000, rue Colle Umberto. Opening hours:
- Tuesday: 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 12 PM and 3 PM – 6 PM.
- Friday: 3 PM – 6 PM.
- Saturday: 9:30 AM – 12 PM.
Youth Space and Leisure Center
The leisure center opens its doors at Espace 2000 during the winter, spring, July, and All Saints’ holidays for children aged 6 to 12. It is also open to children every Wednesday throughout the year. It is located in the same building as the library.
Major Cultural Events
Throughout the year, La Balme-de-Sillingy organizes festive and cultural gatherings.
The Performing Arts Festival
This popular event is organized for a week at the end of March. Various styles of theater, comedies, one-man shows, improvisation, and puppetry are offered. Espace 2000 is located on rue Colle Umberto.
The Mandallaz Festi-Nature
This festival is organized in mid-April by the Nature & Terroirs association around Lake Balme. It is an opportunity to discover stands of exhibitors related to nature and local producers.
The Balme Lake Festival
To conclude this festive day, a fireworks display is held every year on July 14 near the lake with a musical evening. You can also see the fireworks of July 14 around Lake Annecy.
The Bathie Fair
This is a popular and traditional festival that has existed in this municipality since the 14th century. It is an opportunity to discover the agricultural dynamism of the area with meals, a funfair, and a garage sale.
The Christmas Market
This traditional end-of-year event is organized on the first weekend of December with about thirty stands. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase handcrafted items and year-end gastronomic specialties.
The Best Rated Hotels
Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels near La Balme-de-Sillingy that offer excellent value for money and receive very good customer reviews:
Domaine de la Caille
This large estate offers room service, a restaurant, and an outdoor swimming pool. A large playground will delight children. You can visit Annecy, which is 15 km away, and discover its Old Town and its castle, which dates back to the Middle Ages. Private parking is free.
From €74 per night.
Les Rochers Blancs
A beautiful establishment made up of two buildings. The rooms are spacious and well-decorated. You can enjoy a large swimming pool in the summer. The cuisine served is traditional French. The chef will have you taste excellent refined dishes.
From €74 per night.
Première Classe Annecy Nord – Épagny
An economical hotel located near the A 41 motorway and the expressway that allows you to visit the city of Annecy and its lake. The proximity to the Épagny shopping center allows for shopping. The rooms are equipped with a private bathroom.
From €52 per night.
The Originals City, Hôtel Annecy Aéroport
A beautiful establishment located 5 km from La Balme-de-Sillingy and close to the city of Annecy. The rooms include a desk, a courtesy tray, and hot drinks to prepare. The Annecy castle-museum is a 15-minute drive away.
From €66 per night.
Hôtel F1 Annecy Argonay
An economical hotel with an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. The rooms are designed to accommodate families. You can reach the city of Annecy in 10 minutes to visit the monuments and stroll along the lake.
From €35 per night.
Monuments and Tourist Sites
The Mandallaz
The Mandallaz, respectfully nicknamed “THE MOUNTAIN“. It rises to 929 meters, and curiously this point is not located at the top of the mountain, above the village of Épagny, but at the level of Cuvat. Covered in woods, it is a true green lung for the neighboring municipalities and also for the Annecy agglomeration.
Lake La Balme
The Lake La Balme de Sillingy is located at the exit of the town towards Paris. Swimming is prohibited all year round. However, there are many activities: fishing, games, visiting a garden, and dining. The lake’s perimeter is illuminated at night for evening strolls.
Lesvaux Cave
With its 700 meters of galleries, Lesvaux Cave is the largest underground cavern in Salève. The exploration of the cave in 1979 uncovered 4 skeletons dating back to the Neolithic.
Curés Cave
This small cave, whose entrance is visible from the path, housed refractory priests during the Savoy revolution.
Maquis Cave
This cave, accessible by a hiking trail, served as a shelter for resistance fighters during the years 1940 – 1945.
Dalmaz Castle
Located north of La Balme de Sillingy, it was built in the 14th century and served for a long time as a fortified house under the reign of the Counts of Geneva. It supplemented the defense of La Bathie.
Services & Administrations
Town Hall
It is located at 13, Route de Chois – BP 44 – 74331 La Balme de Sillingy.
Official website: www.labalmedesillingy.fr
Tourist Office
Alter’Alpa Tourism, Point I – 165 route de Paris – 74330 La Balme de Sillingy.
Tel: 04.50.64.16.55
Municipal Canteens and Daycare
The schools of Avully, Marais, and Vincy have a canteen and daycare that have recently been renovated.
Balme-de-Sillingy Market
The market is held every Sunday from 8 AM to 1 PM in the town center. Food and clothing products are offered, including local produce of fruits and vegetables.
