Crescent-shaped Lake Geneva has a surface area of 224 sq mi (580 sq km), making it the largest lake in Switzerland. The lake straddles the Swiss-French border, with ferries regularly carrying passengers between the two countries. The Swiss side had gentler hills full of vineyards, towns, and centuries-old castles, while the French side is more rugged and less populated.

From Lausanne, roughly mid-way along the lake, we traveled by ferry to Geneva at the southwest tip. The day was warm and sunny, and we spent the entire time out on deck enjoying the sights and stops along the way. We’d been getting glimpses to 15,773 ft (4,807 m) Mont Blanc en route, and it burst into full view as we neared Geneva. We dropped our bags off at our hotel and spent the rest of the afternoon exploring beautiful Geneva, particularly its old town.

Below are highlights from July 8th, 2022. Click any image for a larger view, or click the position to view the location on a map. And a map with our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.

Dawn Position: 46°30.50’N, 6°37.45’E Dawn looking across the pleasure craft marina in the Port Lausanne-Ouchy from our room at the Movenpick Hotel Lausanne.

Henry-Dunant Position: 46°30.31’N, 6°37.64’E Today we’ll be taking a cruise on Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Geneva aboard the Henry-Dunant.

Ouverture au Monde Position: 46°30.30’N, 6°37.62’E The shimmering sculpture Ouverture au Monde (Open to the World) by Angel Duarte at the end of the pier in the Port Lausanne-Ouchy. Duarte is a mathematician who creates works with rigorous geometry.

Eole Position: 46°30.28’N, 6°37.60’E The wind vane sculpture Eole, on a breakwater for the Port Lausanne-Ouchy. Four monoliths on the the quay nearby, representing the wind direction quadrants, complete the work. Each monolith has a notch that will line up to form a complete circle with the wind vane when the wind is in that direction.

Lausanne Position: 46°30.13’N, 6°37.27’E View back to Lausanne as the Henry-Dunant departs port, with the Cathedrale du Notre Dame prominent at center.

St Sulpice Abbey Church Position: 46°30.49’N, 6°33.76’E The St Sulpice Abbey Church on Lake Geneva dates from the 12th century. It is one of the oldest Romanesque (architectural style common in Europe from 900–1200) churches in Switzerland.

Chateau de Morges Position: 46°30.19’N, 6°31.54’E The Chateau de Morges was built near the end of the 13th century as a fortress. Over the centuries it served as a bailiff’s residence, an administrative center, a courthouse, an arsenal and a prison. It has been a military museum since 1925.

Lunch Position: 46°29.17’N, 6°28.70’E A Swiss lunch of shaved meat and fresh bread aboard the Henry-Dunant as we cruise towards Geneva.

Chateau de Rolle Position: 46°27.32’N, 6°20.88’E The medieval fortress Chateau de Rolle was built in the 13th century with an unusual design where each tower is unique from the rest.

Chateau d’Yvoire Position: 46°22.83’N, 6°20.07’E The 14th-century castle Chateau d’Yvoire in the French city of the same name. The Swiss-French border runs along the middle of Lake Geneva, and we’ve just crossed into France. A majority of the passengers on the Henry-Dunant disembarked at Yvoire for lunch or shopping at this popular destination.

Chateau de Nyon Position: 46°22.93’N, 6°15.68’E Lake Geneva has a lot of castles. Pictured is Chateau de Nyon, built as a fortified house in the 12th century and now a history museum.

Modern Home Position: 46°19.88’N, 6°12.79’E A distinctive and beautiful modern home along Lake Geneva at Founex.

Kitesurfers Position: 46°16.69’N, 6°10.25’E Many kitesurfers were taking advantage of the strong winds off the point at Versoix.

Surfing Position: 46°16.66’N, 6°10.66’E A kitesurfer skimming along the surface towards our ship.

Mont Blanc Position: 46°16.74’N, 6°10.33’E We’ve been getting glimpses to 15,773 ft (4,807 m) Mont Blanc as we sailed along Lake Geneva, and it burst into full view off Versoix. Mont Blanc is the tallest mountain in the Alps, and Western Europe.

Phare des Paquis Position: 46°12.58’N, 6°9.57’E The Phare des Paquis lighthouse in Geneva was erected in 1894, replacing the initial lighthouse built in 1857. We’ll be disembarking here in Geneva after a very enjoyable cruise along Lake Geneva from Lausanne.

Wind Break Position: 46°12.27’N, 6°9.07’E After dropping of our bags at our hotel, we set out for an afternoon walk around Geneva. This restaurant along Lake Geneva came up with a rather creative way to deal with the day’s strong winds.

Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons Position: 46°12.25’N, 6°9.11’E The Fontaine des Quatre-Saisons, by famous French sculptor Mathurin Moreau, was erected in the Geneva Jardin Anglais (English Garden) in 1862.

L’Horloge Fleurie Position: 46°12.24’N, 6°9.06’E The L’Horloge Fleurie (Flower Clock), created in 1955 in the Jardin Anglais, is made up of 6,500 living flowers and is the most photographed monument in Geneva.

Place du Molard Position: 46°12.20’N, 6°8.91’E Restaurant-filled Place du Molard is very popular on this warm and sunny Friday afternoon.

Rue des Barrieres Position: 46°12.14’N, 6°8.91’E Rue des Barrieres in Geneva’s old town, leading up to Cathedral St-Pierre.

Cathedral St-Pierre Position: 46°12.09’N, 6°8.96’E Cathedral St-Pierre in Geneva was built as a Roman Catholic church between 1160 and 1252 on the grounds of a 6th-century basilica. The church later became Reformed Protestant and was the adopted home church of John Calvin, a leader of the Protestant Reformation.

Chez ma Cousine Position: 46°12.04’N, 6°8.96’E A casual and tasty meal at Chez ma Cousine along Geneva’s historic Place du Bourg-de-Four. The square is the oldest in the city, dating from the 9th century as a marketplace.

K!Douro Wine & Tapas Position: 46°12.73’N, 6°8.76’E On our way home from dinner, we stopped off for a drink at an appealing street-side table at the K!Douro Portuguese Wine & Tapas Bar on Rue de Zurich.

Carerra RSR Position: 46°12.64’N, 6°8.71’E A rare 1970s-era Porsche Carerra RSR parked on the street near our Geneva hotel. A limited number of the vehicles were produced as race cars, and they command a price of well over one million USD, if you can find one for sale.

El Reudo Position: 46°12.66’N, 6°8.72’E A final stop for the evening for a glass of Spanish red at El Reudo below our hotel.

Dusk Position: 46°12.67’N, 6°8.74’E Mont Blanc colored pink in the setting sun, viewed from our room at the Hotel D in Geneva.

Click the travel log icon on the left to see these locations on a map. And a map of our most recent log entries always is available at mvdirona.com/maps.