Gaillard is a small municipality in Haute-Savoie located at the southwest limit of the city of Annemasse and is part of the Saint-Julien-en-Genevois district.
Geographical situation
This city spans over 400 hectares at an altitude of 400 meters and is located on the border between France and Switzerland. Its inhabitants, currently over 11,500, are called Gaillardins and Gaillardines. Many residents of the municipality are cross-border workers and work in Switzerland.
Gaillard is crossed by two rivers, the Arve and the Foron, and is located 45 km from Annecy, 34 km from Thonon-les-Bains, and 3 km from Geneva.
History and heritage
The town of Gaillard was created by the Counts of Geneva in the 13th century with the construction of the famous Château-Gaillard. The building, with its fortified town, was well protected during the Middle Ages with a garrison of 3,000 soldiers. However, the numerous religious wars took their toll on the stronghold.
Before the French Revolution, Gaillard was part of the municipality of Chêne-Thônex in Switzerland. In 1815, it remained the property of the King of Sardinia and took the name of the municipality of Ambilly-Gaillard. In 1843, by royal decree, it became Gaillard again. In 1860, following a plebiscite, Savoy became French, and the Gaillardins did too.
In 1896, the municipality had 1,239 inhabitants, and its population has continued to grow to 10,000 today. The town retains market gardening activity that was predominant in the past. Its border situation with Switzerland further enhances its attractiveness.
The best-rated hotels
Depending on your budget, we have selected five hotels in Gaillard that offer excellent value for money and receive very good customer reviews:
Mercure Annemasse Porte de Genève
Located just 15 minutes from Geneva, it allows you to visit the city or easily attend a business meeting. You can enjoy its outdoor pool and free parking. The Palexpo exhibition center and Geneva-Cointrin airport are only 14 km from the hotel.
From €90 per night.
The Originals Annemasse Sud – Porte de Genève
Located 1.5 km from the Swiss border, this hotel decorated in Savoyard style has beautiful air-conditioned rooms surrounded by an 11-hectare park. The restaurant “Le Bistrot des Alpes” offers local specialties such as tartiflette and fondue.
From €54 per night.
Geneva Residence
This establishment located at the Swiss border is 50 m from the Geneva tram. It offers studios and apartments with a fully equipped kitchen. Private underground parking is available for an additional fee.
From €63 per night.
Kyriad Direct Annemasse – Genève
A very clean hotel for a limited budget. It is located at the crossroads of the A 40 and A 411, ideal for a stop on the road or for a day visit to Geneva. The breakfast is hearty, and the staff is available and friendly. A good address at a low price.
From €40 per night.
Appart’City Genève – Gaillard
An ideally located establishment at the Swiss border, the studios and apartments offered have a fully equipped kitchen. A continental breakfast is served in a common room. The restaurant area is spacious and bright.
From €70 per night.
Cultural and sports facilities
Several cultural spaces and rooms are offered to residents.
The School of Fine Arts of Genevois
It is a facility of the agglomeration of Annemasse that offers quality artistic education to awaken the creative spirit, but also to prepare for entrance exams to higher art schools. Educational and extracurricular training are also part of the school’s program.
The P’tit Théâtre de Gaillard
It is a friendly place that offers a humorous show, a one-man show, or a comedy every week. With two performances, one at 6:30 PM and one at 8 PM. The intimate aspect of the 50-seat venue creates a bond with the artists. Catering is possible before the show, and children can participate in workshops.
L’Antibrouillard
This is an associative space for the creation and dissemination of contemporary art. Exhibitions and educational tours are offered throughout the year.
The Gaillard Music School
It is an association that welcomes over 200 students. Musical discovery workshops are offered to young children as part of extracurricular time.
The Gaillard Library
It is located in the neighboring municipality of Ambilly, which has agreed to open the library’s doors to the residents of Gaillard.
The Louis Simon Sports Area
This multipurpose space is named after a former mayor of Gaillard who managed to reserve large plots in 1966 for the future development of the municipality. A large hall of 1,100 m² can accommodate 500 spectators during international boxing or judo competitions. You can practice basketball, handball, volleyball, and gymnastics. Smaller adjacent rooms allow for the practice of boxing, karate, and table tennis. You can play football on the two fields next door. A closed annex is dedicated to the bowling alley.
Many other sports can be practiced at the sports school on Wednesdays. The city of Gaillard has set up a sports and culture voucher for children and teenagers to facilitate their access to these activities.
The Green Way of Grand Geneva
For those who enjoy beautiful family walks, the 12 kilometers of the Green Way of Grand Geneva are a must-see in the region. The path is secured from the Swiss border to Bonne. The route can be done by bike, on foot, rollerblading, or scootering. Along the way, you will find picnic areas, observation points for the panorama, as well as electric bike rental sites.
Upon arrival, you can take the opportunity to visit Geneva.
The Invierno Tango Festival
Every year in early February, the city of Gaillard organizes a renowned tango festival. It takes place in the Louis Simon Space over three days. Prestigious international guests and talented artists attract a tango-loving audience. Classes and shows complement beautiful milongas. During this weekend, Gaillard becomes a large European tango floor where DJs and orchestras make the audience dance.
The program :
- 40 hours of classes are offered
- 1 after-party and 3 milongas
- 1 complete show with eight renowned couples
Practical information : Louis Simon Space, 10 rue du Châtelet, 74 240 Gaillard.
The Salève cable car
In 5 minutes, thanks to the Salève cable car, you reach the top of the mountain. This equipment dating back to the 1930s is a true curiosity in terms of its architecture. You can enjoy the many trails to discover the Salève. An altitude restaurant allows you to admire the beautiful panorama over the Geneva basin and Lake Geneva.
Price: €8 for a one-way trip and €12 for a round trip, reduced rates for children and groups.
Address : Route du téléphérique, 74100 Etrembières.
Education
For the youngest, you have a early childhood center, a maternal assistant relay, and a parent-child welcome place.
Children have access to a nursery school and three elementary schools. They can continue their education at the Jacques Prévert college in Gaillard.
Finally, three high schools are offered depending on the place of residence.
Market in Gaillard
The Gaillard market takes place every Saturday morning at Moëllesulaz, Place du Marché from 7:30 AM to 1 PM. Food and manufactured products are offered, including quality local products from short supply chains depending on the season.
Public transport
The Annemasse agglomeration, which encompasses the territory of the municipality of Gaillard, offers an urban bus network called “TAC”, which serves many stops with lines 3 to 8 during the week and two lines on Sundays in the municipalities of Ambilly, Annemasse, Bonne, Cranves-Sales, Étrembières, Gaillard, Juvigny, Lucinges, Machilly, Saint-Cergues, Vétraz-Monthoux, and Ville-la-Grand.
This bus network allows for connections with the Léman Express rail network, which connects border towns between France and Switzerland, and with the tramway lines.
The official TAC website allows you to define a real-time itinerary.
Town Hall
The Town Hall of Gaillard is located on Cours de la République. It is open from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 12 PM and from 1:30 PM to 5 PM and closed on Thursday mornings.
Official site of the Town Hall of Gaillard.
The Gaillard market is held every Saturday morning at Place du Marché from 7:30 AM to 1 PM.
For skiing nearby
Praz de Lys-Sommand Ski Resort
