Divonne-les-Bains, a spa town to discover

Dernière mise à jour de cet article le 15 July 2025

On a beautiful weekend in May, we visited Divonne les Bains, a commune in the Ain department of France on the Swiss border.

Why this totally unknown destination? In fact, we wanted to go to the shores of Lake Geneva, but the price of accommodation in Switzerland was excessive. Divonne-les-Bains turned out to be an excellent alternative.

We didn’t really know what to expect when we arrived, but we were totally seduced by this little town, which is well worth a visit.

This article is part of the #EnFranceAussi interblogger rendez-vous, a great initiative by Sylvie of the blog Le coin des Voyageurs. This month, the theme chosen by Renée of the blog Cahier Nomade is “postcard”. So here’s my postcard from Divonne-les-Bains, an absolutely charming town with lots to do.

Read what Kiki has to say about his love of Divonne-les-Bains and working in Geneva.

Where is Divonne-les-Bains?

Divonne-les-Bains is located in the extreme northeast of the Ain department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The town is in the arrondissement of Gex and in the Pays de Gex. It lies at the foot of the Jura mountains. What’s more, Divonne-les-Bains is just a few kilometers from the Swiss border and Lake Geneva, one of Europe’s largest lakes. It is 20 kilometers from Geneva.

So what can you do on a weekend in Divonne les Bains?

Visit Divonne les Bains town center

During your visit to Divonne-les-Bains, you can explore the charming town center with its church, historic monuments and fountains.

The atmosphere is truly peaceful.

The Divonne river walk

The Promenade de la Divonne is an ideal place to stroll and relax. You’ll follow the Divonne, a river, while discovering portraits of local residents.

A wonderful idea for a stroll through the city center, and an opportunity to discover portraits of residents who are proud of their city!

Divonne-les-Bains springs

Divonne-les-Bains is particularly famous for its numerous springs, which play a central role in the town’s history and reputation as a spa resort. In fact, there are over 30 springs in the town.

The first known use of Divonne’s springs dates back to Roman times. Indeed, the Romans harnessed the waters of the springs to supply the thermal baths of their colony at Noviodunum, now Nyon. This ancient use bears witness to the quality and abundance of Divonne’s waters.

In 1849, Dr. Paul Vidart founded the Institut Hydrothérapique de Divonne, marking the beginning of the modern era of spa treatments in the town. This establishment helped make Divonne-les-Bains a popular destination for relaxation and health treatments during the Belle Époque.

To discover all the springs, you can take a walk called “Divonne au fil de l’eau”. Ask for a map of the springs at theDivonne les Bains tourist office.

We made our way to the Grande Source for a most pleasant walk.

Chancing upon a conversation with a local, we could have gone on for an hour’s hike to get a magnificent view of Divonne-les-Bains. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time, but next time we’ll take this wonderful-looking hike!

Around Lake Divonne

Lac de Divonne is an artificial lake located in the center of the town. It’s easily accessible on foot, which is a huge advantage.

So we took a trip around Lake Divonne. The atmosphere is really family-friendly and so pleasant. You’ll come across sports enthusiasts, families and couples.

You can even go for a drink and relax on the grass with a view of the lake.

For the more sporty, you can even go canoeing on the lake.

In short, we were totally seduced by our visit to Divonne les Bains. One thing’s for sure: we’ll be back!

Other things to do in Divonne les Bains

For those who love gambling and entertainment, there’s a Casino in Divonne. However, it is currently under renovation. As is the Thermes de Divonne, a renowned spa complex.

And if you’re a keen golfer, there’s an 18-hole golf course set in beautiful natural surroundings.

Finally, there’s a market on Friday and Sunday mornings, where you can find local produce and regional specialities.

At the time of our visit, there was a huge garage sale along the lake in a very family atmosphere.

We even saw a reconstruction of the Divonne-Nyon Roman aqueduct.

If you’re coming to visit Divonne les Bains, we really recommend you drop in at thetourist office. We had a really warm welcome and above all we were very well advised on what to do in Divonne les Bains.

How do I get to Divonne-les-Bains?

Divonne-les-Bains is easily accessible by various means of transport:

By road :

Divonne-les-Bains is located in :

• about 20 km from Geneva, which represents a car journey of about 20 to 30 minutes via the A1 freeway.
• about 60 km from Lausanne, about 45 minutes by car via the A1 freeway.
• about 130 km from Lyon, about 1h30 drive via the A42 and A40 motorways.

By train :

• The nearest train station is Coppet, in Switzerland, around 10 km from Divonne-les-Bains.
• The Geneva-Cornavin train station is around 20 km away, offering national and international rail connections.

By air :

Geneva’s international airport (Aéroport de Genève-Cointrin) is the nearest, just 15 km from Divonne-les-Bains. This airport serves numerous destinations throughout Europe and the world.

By bus :

Buses link Divonne-les-Bains to the Coppet train station in Switzerland, providing a convenient connection to the Swiss rail network.

Where to eat in Divonne-les-Bains

We dined at the Dolce Vita restaurant in the center of Divonne-les-Bains.

We had an excellent pizza.

Where to stay in Divonne-les-Bains?

We stayed at theTerrasse Fleurie hotel-restaurant in the center of Divonne les Bains. The room is small and old-fashioned, but it’s still very good value for money. The breakfast is very good and there’s free parking nearby.

We recommend this hotel if you want to visit Divonne les Bains.

What to do around Divonne-les-Bains?

Divonne les Bain is an excellent starting point if you want to go to Switzerland. You can also take a tour of Lake Geneva, starting in Coppet.

Kiki’s opinion of her visit to Divonne les Bains

Divonne-les-Bains, a charming little gem near the Swiss border, may seem insignificant at first glance, but for Kiki it’s a hidden gem. Despite some closed-down areas, such as the once-prestigious Casino, which has seen its best days, Divonne-les-Bains harbors a special charm. The many springs from which water gushes tirelessly give the place a touch of nostalgia. Unfortunately, unlike Vichy, fresh spring water is no longer available. It’s almost as if the village is dreaming of its glorious past.

But this impression is deceptive: the locals are incredibly friendly and helpful. That weekend, we were treated to a lively flea market that brought the little town to life. Kiki was amazed by people’s enthusiasm for old, often damaged, treasures. If it hadn’t been for Sophie, he’d probably have snapped up two completely overpriced paintings!

Divonne-les-Bains is indeed a place where you could imagine yourself living. Well served and close to an airport, it’s a safe place to be. What’s more, the picturesque lake invites relaxing strolls and lends the area a romantic atmosphere. Don’t hesitate to visit this charming little town – you won’t be disappointed.