Bonneville is a town in Haute-Savoie with an area of 27.15 km² and a population of 12,600 inhabitants called Bonnevillois, Bonnevilloises. The municipality is part of the “Bonneville chef-lieu” district and the “Faucigny Glières” community of municipalities. The lowest point is at an altitude of 450 meters and the highest point at 1,877 meters. The town is located between Annemasse and Sallanches.
History and heritage
The town of Bonneville is twinned with Staufen im Breisgau in Germany, Racconigi in Italy, and Téra in Niger. The EMT 74 cutting and stamping company is located in Bonneville, as well as the distribution warehouses of SOMFY, BOSCH home appliances, and the SA Perrotton turning factory. The national competitiveness cluster Arve industries corresponds to an economic basin specialized in complex machining and precision mechanics.
You can discover the following heritage elements during your visit.
The fountain of the Town Hall Square
Built in 1786 and designed by Vagnat de Samoëns, it is in the baroque style.
The Town Hall
Built in 1853, this neoclassical building has a stone from the Bastille in Paris given in 1793.
Rue Brune
It is one of the oldest streets in the town, leading to the large arcades of the Town Hall Square.
Rue des Grandes Chambrettes
You pass from Rue Décret to the church. You can see an old well and the entrance to vaulted cellars which are remnants of the Château de la Rochette.
The Arve Bridge
Built in the 19th century, it is now called the Bridge of Europe. Previously, wooden walkways were used to cross the river.
The House of Heads
Built in 1401, this house allows for a double reading of its facade: on the first floor, one sees grimacing masks and on the second, pleasant angels smiling, opening the way to Heaven. It is the only baroque-style building in both Savoie regions. In the 19th century, it served as a town hall.
The Château des Sires de Faucigny
It was built in the 13th century by Pierre II de Savoie and represents the architecture of the time that was meant to withstand sieges. It later became a prison until 1934. It has just been restored and opened to the public.
The Charles-Félix Column
This tall column of 44 meters honors the King of Sardinia, whose statue is at the top.
The main curiosity is the presence of a cannonball in the north facade, which was fired by the Austrian army during the defeat of Napoleon I. You can also admire a beautiful sundial.
The Royal House
This building was the rest house of the King of Sardinia during his travels in the region. You can appreciate the beautiful quality of the wrought iron balcony.
The Cormand Stronghouse
It is a beautiful building originally surrounded by moats, with a beautiful square tower and two wings as its main features.
You can also visit, not far away, the pretty medieval town of La Roche-sur-Foron.
Guided tours of the capital of Faucigny
These tours are conducted by a heritage guide from the Pays de Savoie. You must register at the Bonneville tourist office. Five circuits are offered:
- Bonneville: from its origins to the present day. The visit allows you to discover the old buildings, the main dates, and the important events that have marked the history of the municipality. Duration: 1 H 30.
- The Sainte-Catherine Church. This building was constructed between 1838 and 1845 in a neoclassical style. Why is this church dedicated to this saint? Duration: 1 H 30.
- In the footsteps of travelers with Savoyard snack. Many famous visitors have passed through Bonneville, such as Théophile Gautier. What traces did they leave? Price: 17 € with the meal excluding drinks.
- Bonneville in the 21st century: The city has undergone significant changes during this period: construction of the bridge, the Palais de Justice, and the gendarmerie. The visit of Napoleon III is also explained. Duration: 1 H.
- The Arve and Bonneville: This river played a very important role in the development of the municipality, particularly in shaping its architecture.
For children, a treasure hunt with a booklet is offered at the tourist office.
The best-rated hotels
Depending on your budget, we have selected three hotels near Bonneville that offer excellent value for money and receive very good customer reviews:
Mont Blanc Hotel
A few kilometers from Bonneville, this beautiful establishment offers a restaurant with traditional French cuisine, an outdoor swimming pool, well-equipped rooms, and a large free parking lot. You can go hiking in the Aravis massif to spend the day in the Grand-Bornand resort.
From 90 € per night.
Les Afforêts
This hotel is located in the neighboring town of La Roche-sur-Foron where you can visit the medieval city. Breakfast is served in the dining room in buffet form. The winter sports resorts of La Clusaz and Grand Bornand are 30 km away by car.
From 89 € per night.
Hôtel Le Foron
This establishment is located in the town of La Roche-sur-Foron a few kilometers from Bonneville. It has a beautiful outdoor swimming pool and a garden. You can have your meals in the partner restaurant near the hotel. The proximity to Switzerland allows you to discover Geneva.
From 76 € per night.
Cultural and sports facilities
The Bonneville market takes place on Tuesday and Friday mornings in front of the town hall. On the 3rd Saturday of March and September, a large flea market and garage sale are organized. The great Saint-Martin fair takes place on November 11 each year.
Sports complexes
The town has a sports complex named Pierre Faillon as well as an athletics track. Three gymnasiums and three stadiums are available for athletes and clubs. The natural cliff at Pontchy allows climbers to practice. A shooting range, covered tennis courts, a dojo, a skate park, and a water sports base complete this offer of quality facilities.
The Bonneville Téléski-Watergames
This leisure area allows you to enjoy a water area and practice water activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, and kneeboarding. You are pulled by a cable to glide on the water on skis or a surfboard. The TNA measures 1,925 m². An inflatable water games course delights both adults and children. The park is accessible to children from 6 years old.
Address: 23 rue Pertuiset, 74130 Bonneville.
Hours: Monday from 2 PM to 6:30 PM, Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 2 PM to 6:30 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 12 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.
Sailing course
On the Lac de la Motte-Longue in Bonneville, the itinerant departmental sailing school organizes sailing courses, equipment rental, and class hours. On Monday afternoons, free sailing baptisms are organized.
Address: Lac de la Motte-Longue, rue des Colverts, 74130 Bonneville.
Cultural facilities
The Agora is a performance hall inaugurated in 2005. It offers spectators 407 seats. Its acoustics are particularly appreciated during concerts by artists and the public. Bonneville thus has a quality cultural program throughout the year. This versatile space also allows for the organization of meetings, conferences, and exhibitions.
The Sc’Art à B. is a facility dedicated to leisure and well-being. It hosts the municipal harmony, the Office of Culture and Animation. Its performance hall allows for the organization of events and meetings for local associations. Musical performances are organized and meet with great success.
Pleins Feux Festival
Every year, this festival delights fans of soul, funk, jazz, and blues. It takes place on the third weekend of July in the city center on a large open-air stage. It guarantees good evenings in a festive atmosphere, especially since the concerts are free.
In 2020, the 23rd edition of the Pleins Feux Festival was canceled due to the health crisis. Renowned artists have already performed at this musical event: Sinclair, Maceo Parker, Michel Jonasz, Didier Lockwood, Earth Wind and Fire, and Ben l’oncle soul. Over three evenings, Bonneville hosts more than 10,000 spectators.
Education
The town of Bonneville has many school facilities:
- A nursery: La maison de l’Enfant
- Three kindergartens: Le Bouchet, Le Bois Joliver, and Maria Salin.
- Seven primary schools: Dessy Pontchy, Les Champey, Bois Jolivet, Le Bouchet, Centre, Thuet, and the Îles.
- A middle school: Le Collège Samivel
- Two high schools: Le lycée Guillaume Fichet and the François Bise Hotel Management Vocational High School.
Bonneville Market
The market takes place every Tuesday and Friday in the streets of the city center from 8:30 AM to 1 PM. You will find local producers to promote short circuits, home decor, and a diverse clothing offer. You can park in the town hall parking lot and benefit from one hour of free parking. Two garage sales are organized each year on the 3rd Saturday of March and September.
The great Saint-Martin fair takes place every year on November 11 for the past 740 years. Nearly 100,000 visitors are welcomed on this occasion.
Town Hall
The Town Hall of Bonneville: located at 148 place de l’Hôtel de Ville.
Website of the Town Hall of Bonneville
The Faucigny-Glières tourist office.
