Chateaus of the Chablais

So having a car is one thing - knowing where to go is another; there is such a great expanse of open countryside and choice of terrain to explore. This makes it difficult for those who don't know the region that well to find somewhere to spend a sunny spring morning or afternoon. However, thanks to a guidebook on the Geneva region with fifty 2-3 hour walks on all terrains, knowing where to go is no longer a problem.

So today we decided to test drive the new acquisitions (car an guide book) and took in a really pleasant walk in open countryside in the 'Chablais', taking in on its way some Chateaux and some typical French villages. The Chablais is the region of French territory between the lake and the Alps, as well as name for a nearby mountain range where you will find well known resorts such as Morzine and Avoriaz, as well as Abondance, known for its excellent cheese.



After a stop to buy some bread in the quaint town of Bons-en-Chablais, we started out at the Chateau D'Avully, near the village of Brenthonnes. The Chateau is used for grand receptions (weddings etc) however like everything else on a Sunday, was closed. We then walked into open countryside and into our first village stop of the day in Dugny, which was the highest point of the walk at 580m above sea level (where's the sea), and gave some nice views of the Voirons, our nearest range of mountains.



We then walked through some orchards and down to Fessy, typified by its Church tower and maybe not the most typical French village buildings, but quiet and quaint nonetheless. here we found an Atelier or workshop, where it was clear from what was on display outside that the speciality was metalwork.



After Fessy it was on through some more open countryside and past more cows to Lully, where Vero was not the only one having some rest and enjoying the views.



Then we descended further and reached the second Chateau on this walk, Chateau de Buffavens. This one was definitely private however I think it was split into several residences judging by the number of doorbells on the gate and the wheely bin outside. In the grounds there were some deer, with some stags rutting which was quite neat.



After that the route took us along the mainline between Evian and Annemasse, however we only saw one train, a TGV with about two passengers going quite slowly. The last village stop was in Puard before we returned to Brenthonnes where Vero decided to sit on a bench and make me walk up and get the car at the Chateau...

This was our second excursion into the Chablais, the first being an afternoon ride to the medievel lakeside village of Yvoire (no photos as we'll go back when its in full bloom). It's unknown territory however given the number and variety of destinations, we cannot wait to discover it some more.....