← Lausanne Marathon·3 nights

Nyon and Geneva: Down the Western Shore

One night in the Roman town of Nyon, then two in Geneva, working south-west along the lake by train with a flat waterfront at every stop.

Duration3 nights
TransitSBB train west along the lake, around 15 to 45 minutes between stops
DepartsLausanne station

After the Lausanne Marathon: Nyon and Geneva

The Route: Lausanne → Nyon → Geneva → Geneva Airport Logistics: SBB trains along the western shore of the lake. One change of hotel, then a short train to the airport. Marathon Month: October Duration: 3 nights

Lausanne ──(~25 mins train)──> Nyon ──(~20 mins train)──> Geneva Cornavin
                                                               │
Geneva Airport (GVA) ◄──(~7 mins train)────────────────────────┘

The Lausanne Marathon runs east along the lake, and this route heads the other way, towards the airport you will fly home from. The trains between Lausanne, Nyon and Geneva are frequent, and the rail line follows the shore closely enough that the lake is in view for much of the journey. Check times and fares at sbb.ch.

October in Nyon and Geneva: the western shore is milder and flatter than the eastern, and in late October the lakefront is quiet. The Jet d'Eau in Geneva normally runs through the autumn, but it is switched off in high wind or ice, so do not plan around it. Some seasonal ferry services slow down for the winter, so check the CGN timetable if you want to cross the water.

Night One: Nyon

Nyon was founded by Julius Caesar around 45 BC as a colony for veterans, the Colonia Iulia Equestris, and the Roman layout still shapes the old centre. A flat lakeside promenade runs along the water below the old town, paved and with benches. The Château de Nyon on the hill houses the town's history museum and a porcelain collection, and the Roman Museum shows what was left of the Roman forum. Check opening hours and prices on each museum's own site before you go.

The climb from the lake to the château is short but steep, so take it slowly. The Hôtel Beau-Rivage Nyon sits on the waterfront, and smaller hotels can be found around the old town. Compare rates and cancellation terms. For dinner, ask for lake perch or the local white wines of La Côte, the vineyard region that runs between Nyon and Lausanne.

Nights Two and Three: Geneva

Take the train the short hop to Geneva Cornavin. The recovery asset in Geneva is the lakefront, a flat promenade running past the Jardin Anglais, the flower clock and the Pâquis jetty. The Bains des Pâquis, a lakeside bathing complex with a long pier, is open to walkers in the cooler months, and the pier gives a clear view of the Jet d'Eau without a climb. The old town on the hill has cobbled streets and a cathedral, St Peter's, with a tower climb that is a poor idea after a marathon. Check opening times for any museum you plan to visit.

For a bed near Cornavin, the Hotel Royal and Hotel Kipling are worth comparing on current rates. The CERN Science Gateway in Meyrin is reachable by tram from Cornavin; check its current opening days and booking requirements at home.web.cern.ch before you plan it.

Getting to Geneva Airport (GVA)

The airport station sits beneath the terminal. Trains reach Cornavin in about seven minutes, and up to seven trains an hour run at peak times. Allow time for the walk and check-in.