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Lake Geneva, the largest freshwater lake in Western Europe, impresses as much by its crescent shape as by the richness of its surroundings. Bordered by breathtaking landscapes, vineyards, villages and lively towns, it offers a thousand ways to prolong the magic of a hot-air balloon flight.
Here are 5 simple and accessible ideas to turn your morning in the air into a full day around Lake Geneva.
1. Visit Chillon Castle – Montreux
Set directly on the shores of the lake, Chillon Castle is one of the most emblematic sites on Lake Geneva. After your hot-air balloon flight, it’s the ideal place to immerse yourself in history, stroll through the inner courtyards and enjoy spectacular views of the lake from the ancient fortified windows.
- 📍 About 45 minutes by car from the Cossonay region and the Lake Geneva region.
- 🏰 Don’t miss: the medieval halls, the underground passageways and the view of Lake Geneva from the ramparts.
- 🔗 chillon.ch
2. Relax at the Hermitage Gardens – Lausanne
After soaring above the clouds, treat yourself to a quiet interlude in the gardens of the Hermitage. Located high above Lausanne, this park offers superb views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, in a peaceful, verdant setting.
You can simply take a stroll, read in the shade of the trees or visit the Fondation de l’Hermitage, which offers high-quality temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
- 📍 About 25 minutes by car from the Cossonay area.
- 🧺 Bonus idea: picnic in the park overlooking the lake and mountains.
- 🔗 fondation-hermitage.ch
3. Climbing Dent de Jaman
If you already miss the sky, you can extend the experience in the mountains. From the Col de Jaman or the Jaman railway station, a pretty path leads to the Dent de Jaman, a popular summit for nature lovers. Up there, the view is panoramic: Lake Geneva, Rochers-de-Naye and the Alps in the background.
- 📍 About 1 hour’s drive from the Cossonay region.
- 🦌 Ibexes and beautiful alpine flora are often spotted here.
- 🔗 randofacile.ch . Jaman tooth
4. Take a CGN cruise on Lake Geneva
Not ready to come back down to earth yet? Extend your flight experience by boarding a CGN boat. From Lausanne, Montreux or Geneva, our cruises allow you to admire the lake, vineyards and villages from a new perspective, comfortably seated on board.
- 📍 Approximately 25 to 55 minutes by car depending on your starting point around the lake.
- ⚓ Tip: combine Flight in the morning with a cruise at the end of the day for a full day at the rhythm of Lake Geneva.
- 🔗 cgn.ch
5. Stroll along the Lavaux terraces – a UNESCO World Heritage site
The Lavaux terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offer one of the most beautiful combinations of vineyards, lake and mountains. After your Flight, take a walk among the rows of vines to extend your view of Lake Geneva, this time with your feet firmly on the ground.
You can follow a signposted trail, stop off at a winery to taste a local Chasselas and simply enjoy the unique light that bathes the region, especially at the end of the day.
- 📍 About 35 minutes by car from the Cossonay area.
- ☀️ Don’t forget your sun cream: between the sun and the lake’s reflections, it heats up quickly.
- 🔗 Lavaux on MySwitzerland.com
🎈 Extend the magic of your flight around Lake Geneva
Whether you’ve taken off from the Lake Geneva region or another location in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Lake Geneva is an ideal playground for extending your day. A cultural visit, a stroll through the vineyards, a cruise or a hike at altitude: it’s up to you to put together the program that suits you best.
Our teams are at your disposal to advise you on ideas for outings based on your flight location. To find out more about our different take-offs around Lake Geneva, you can also consult our flight regions, including Lake Geneva – Lausanne and Lake Geneva.
And if you haven’t booked your ballooning experience yet, take a look at our different balloon flight packages over Lake Geneva and French-speaking Switzerland.
After a hot-air balloon flight over Lake Geneva, you can extend your day with a wide range of activities. Visit Chillon Castle, stroll through the Hermitage gardens in Lausanne, hike to the Dent de Jaman, take a CGN boat cruise or stroll through the Lavaux terraces. These are just a few of the ideas you can use to put together a complete day amidst sky, lake, vineyards and mountains.
Yes, in fact it’s the ideal scenario. Most hot-air balloon flights take place early in the morning, leaving the rest of the day free for sightseeing around Lake Geneva. Chillon Castle, Lavaux, a CGN boat cruise or a stroll through town. All within easy reach by car or public transport from the main Flight sites.
Most of the activities on offer around Lake Geneva after a hot-air balloon flight are ideal for families. Visit Chillon Castle, take a CGN boat cruise, stroll through the vineyards of Lavaux or the parks of Lausanne. Some hikes, such as the Dent de Jaman, require a little more effort and can be reserved for children used to walking.
Lake Geneva can be explored all year round, but spring, summer and autumn are particularly good times to combine hot-air ballooning and sightseeing. In spring, nature awakens and temperatures remain mild. In summer, you can enjoy terraces, cruises and swimming. In autumn, the Lavaux vineyards offer spectacular colors over the lake.
For certain activities, it is advisable to book in advance, especially in high season. These include CGN cruises, guided tours and wine tastings in the Lavaux wine cellars. Other activities, such as park walks, city strolls or hikes, can be done freely without reservation, depending on your energy level after the hot-air balloon flight.