Thollon-Les-Memises, A Balcony Over the Lake

Here’s a richly detailed and fact-based portrait of Thollon‑les‑Mémises, A Balcony Over the Lake. Check our properties there.

• Location & Panorama
  Thollon‑les‑Mémises sits around 900 m above sea level on the southern slope of the Mémises mountain (1 674 m summit), offering sweeping vistas of Lake Geneva, the Jura, and the Swiss Alps.

• Etymology & First Mentions
  The name Thollon (from Latin tullum, meaning “hill”) first appears in church records of the 11th century as Tholonaei; Mémises was officially added in 1995.

🎿 Historical Lift & Restaurant Legacy

• Cable Car Timeline

  • 1934: Plans emerged for an “Evian cable car” to Mémises, inspired by the Salève lift.

  • 1949–52: After an accident during testing, the first Giovanola-style gondola opened on 4 January 1953.

  • 1965: A fire destroyed the lower station, prompting investment.

  • 1976: A modern Poma “egg” gondola replaced the old one.

  • 2013: Replaced again with a 28-cabin, 10-seat gondola which carries passengers up a 562 m vertical rise

• Grand‑Ferré to Eagle’s Nest
  The original summit restaurant Plein Ciel (later Belvédère) continues today as Le Repaire de l’Aigle, offering panoramic dining, while a new Les Balcons du Lac welcomes both summer hikers and winter sportspeople at the gondola’s top station.

Paragliding Over Sicily‑Blue Waters

• Take-off from ~1 600 m near the gondola with thrilling views of Lac Léman.

  • Discovery flights (Δ 700 m descent) last ~15 min;

  • Prestige flights (Δ 1 250 m) extend to ~30 min, even skimming village rooftops and lakeshore landings, occasionally reaching Lugrin.

• Packages start around €210 for 30-minute flights from Evian Resort—Thollon is celebrated as one of the most stunning paragliding sites over Lake Geneva.

Summer Trails & Alpine Discovery

• Hiking Network
  Over 80 km of trails crisscross mountain and lakeside terrain, including the “Balcon du Léman” circuit descending into Meillerie and beyond.

• Geo‑cultural Insights
  Part of the Chablais Geopark, informative nature and heritage panels trace alpine formation, pastoral traditions, and local flora—ideal for walkers keen on learning.

• Refuge Experience
  Advanced hikers trust the Dent d’Oche refuge (via Bernex), perfect for overnighting at height above the resort.

Boutique Lakeside Culture in Evian

Just 11 km downhill, Evian‑les‑Bains is famed for:

• Belle Époque elegance—the chic spa heritage era celebrated at the Evian Resort, complete with golf course, luxury hotels, casino and famed Evian waters.

• Golf with a View—Evian Resort Golf Club is world-class, set against a lakeside backdrop.

• Summer Lake Life—with nearly 120 beaches around Lac Léman, water quality is routinely rated good to excellent (lake water averages ~10.8 °C).

Summer Escapades on the Lake

• Beaches & Marinas
  Think meandering shore paths, sheltered sandy and pebble beaches, plus boat rentals from Evian, Meillerie, or Thonon.

• Cultural Discovery
  A train from Evian to Montreux allows scenic strolls through Swiss lakeside towns like Montreux and Vevey

• Water Sports & Wellness
  From stand-up paddleboarding to cruising, Evian Resort also delivers luxury spa access.

Practical Data & Seasonal Details

 In Brief

Thollon‑les‑Mémises isn’t just another mountain village. It’s steeped in local history from medieval priory holdings to pioneering cable-car installations and frontier restaurants. Today, its compact yet varied gondola-served summit supports genuine adventure—from paragliding above shimmering Lake Geneva to hiking heritage‑lined routes and dining al fresco with panoramic views. Pair any stay here with days in Evian, and you enjoy a seamless blend of mountain elegance and lakeside luxury—complete with pristine beaches, world-class golf, and Belle Époque charm.