Gaillard is a small commune in the Haute-Savoie region of France. It is located on the south-western edge of the town of Annemasse and is part of the arrondissement of Saint-Julien-en-Genevois.
Geographical location
Gaillard is crossed by two rivers, the Arve and the Foron, and is 45 km from Annecy, 34 km from Thonon-les-Bains and 3 km from Geneva.
History and heritage
Before the French Revolution, Gaillard was part of the commune of Chêne-Thônex in Switzerland. In 1815, it remained the property of the King of Sardinia and took the name of the commune ofAmbilly-Gaillard. In 1843, by royal decision, it became Gaillard again. In 1860, following the plebiscite, Savoy became French and so did the Gaillards.
In 1896, the town had 1,239 inhabitants, and its population has continued to grow to 10,000 today. The town still has a market gardening activity which was predominant in the past. Its location on the border with Switzerland makes it even more attractive.
The best rated hotels
Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels in Gaillard that offer excellent value for money and have very good customer reviews:
Mercure Annemasse Porte de Genève
From € 90 per night.
The Originals Annemasse Sud – Porte de Genève
Geneva Residence
Prices start at € 63 per night.
Kyriad Direct Annemasse – Geneva
From 40 € per night.
Appart’City Genève – Gaillard
Cultural and sports facilities
Several cultural spaces and halls are available to residents.
The Genevois School of Fine Arts
Le P’tit théâtre de Gaillard
L’Antibrouillard
The Gaillard music school
This is an association that welcomes more than 200 students. Musical discovery workshops are offered to young children during extracurricular time.
The library of Gaillard
The library is located in the neighbouring commune of Ambilly, which has agreed to open its doors to the inhabitants of Gaillard.
The Louis Simon Sports Centre
Many other sports can be played at the sports school on Wednesdays. The town of Gaillard has set up a sport and culture voucher for children and teenagers to give them access to these activities.
The Green Way of Greater Geneva
At the end of the tour, you can take the opportunity to visit Geneva.
The Invierno Tango Festival
Every year at the beginning of February, the town of Gaillard organises a renowned tango festival. It takes place in the Espace Louis Simon over three days. Prestigious international guests and talented artists attract an audience of tango enthusiasts. Classes and shows complement the magnificent milongas. During this weekend, Gaillard becomes a great European tango dance floor where DJs and bands make the public dance.
The programme:
- 40 hours of classes are given
- 1 after party and 3 milongas
- 1 complete show with eight famous couples
Practical info: Espace Louis Simon, 10 rue du Châtelet, 74 240 Gaillard
The Salève cable car
Price: 8 € one way and 12 € return, reduced rates for children and groups.Address: Route du téléphérique, 74100 Etrembières.
Education
For the youngest, there is an early childhood centre, a nursery assistant relay and a parent-child reception centre.
Children have a nursery school and three elementary schools at their disposal. They can continue their education in the Jacques Prévert school in Gaillard.
Finally, there are three high schools depending on where they live.
Market in Gaillard
Public transport
The Annemasse agglomeration, which includes the commune of Gaillard, offers an urban bus network, called“TAC“, which serves numerous stops with lines 3 to 8 during the week and two lines on Sundays in the communes of Ambilly, Annemasse, Bonne, Cranves-Sales, Étrembières, Gaillard, Juvigny, Lucinges, Machilly, Saint-Cergues, Vétraz-Monthoux and Ville-la-Grand
This bus network provides connections with the Léman Express rail network, which links the border towns between France and Switzerland, and with the tramway lines.
The official TAC website allows you to define a route in real time.
Town Hall
The Gaillard Town Hall is located Cours de la République. It is open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 12pm and from 1.30pm to 5pm and closed on Thursday mornings. Official website of the Gaillard Town Hall.The Gaillard market is held every Saturday morning on the Place du Marché from 7.30am to 1pm.