Get a free drink at the top with your meal at the L'Observatoire restaurant! (See below for conditions)
Now that the Spring weather has arrived, many of us are stepping out onto the hills to explore the countryside and, if we have time, enjoy a freshly cooked meal in a local auberge.
Given the proximity of the mountains to Geneva, you really don’t have to venture that far to experience that feeling of “getting away”. For those living in the centre of Geneva, the Salève mountain with its handy cable car is literally on your doorstep. Divided into 2 parts, le petit and le grand, the Salève measures 1400m at its highest point, so there is a real sense of achievement when you get to the summit!
If you’re feeling energetic, then there are numerous pathways, which wind their way up the mountain. You can either go it alone with your own map, or enlist the help of a local guide to direct you up the mountain. If you prefer the guide option, then we suggest you try out one of the free hikes arranged every Sunday by the organization AGAS (Association Genevoise des Amis du Salève). Click here for more information.
If you’re not feeling very active, then the cable car is your obvious choice. Situated at the foot of the Salève just across the border of Veyrier, Geneva, the cable car has recently undergone a major renovation. The service is scheduled to reopen on 5 April, subject to meeting various safety regulations. Assuming all is OK, the cable car will then operate throughout April from Tuesday to Sunday between 9h30 and 18h00, departing every 12 minutes. From 1 May it well then open every day from 9h30 to 19h00 except Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays when it will remain open until 23h00. You are strongly advised to check out the new website, www.telepherique-saleve.com, before heading out to make sure it is open!
Ticket prices remain very reasonable this year at just €11,30 for adults over 26 making a round trip, €8.30 for ages 17-25 and 65+, and €6.30 for children aged 3-16. The family pass represents great value for money at just €6.30 per person, for 1 or 2 parents (or grandparents) plus children aged 3-16, up to a maximum of 5 people). Click here for more information.
To get to the cable car, a new service called the Navette Proxi-Phérique will transport you free of charge from the following bus stations: "Croix de Rozon Douane", "Veyrier Douane", and "Etrembières Mairie". Click here to find out more information on how to book the service, and view operating hours.
Whatever way you decide to head up the mountain, you will be rewarded with the most stunning 360 degree views of Mont Blanc and the Alps once at the top. To savour the view, we strongly recommend you take a break at the L’Observatoire restaurant located just 20 minutes walk from the cable car station and recently reopened under the new direction of a young couple, Jean-Pierre and Marion. Between them, the two have a wealth of experience in the catering business, notably in Lyon, New York, Las Vegas and Geneva.
Jean-Pierre told knowitall.ch “I have been fortunate to work at some of the best hotels and restaurants around the world – indeed I met Marion whilst working at the Hilton in Evian. However, I started to tire of all the traveling, and soon realized that I wanted a more permanent home. The L’Observatoire restaurant came up for sale and it seemed like the perfect location for us! With its vintage décor, the restaurant needed very little refurbishment, so it was important for us that we created our own identity for the restaurant through our food. We cook fresh, home-made meals using local produce wherever possible. Each day between 12h00 and 15h00 we offer a selection of 3 main courses, most of which are traditional and seasonal dishes with a modern twist.”
After 15h00 it is possible for passers-by to order more simple fayre such as charcuterie dishes, croque monsieurs and the most amazing burgers you have ever seen! (Check out the photo below!). On a cold day both the house vin chaud and hot chocolate (made with slices of chocolate and accompanied with marshmallows as required) are not to be missed. On warmer days, don’t forget to ask for a glass of their delicious rosemary lemonade to cool yourself down. Click here to view the current menu.
Having already established an excellent reputation for its daytime service, Jean-Pierre would now like to attract more visitors in the evening. Jean-Pierre told us, “We are trying to create a more intimate atmosphere for our evening guests. We are currently working on a cocktail menu, which we hope will draw more diners to our restaurant after work and at the weekends. We have also organized a couple of themed evening events to attract clients with different tastes – for the wine connoisseurs, we have a Wine tasting evening coming up at the end of April, and for our more fun-loving clientèle we have organized a Beach party with tacos and cocktails at the end of May!"
Marion added, "We are also able to cater for large groups of people, so are very keen for clients to book their bus tours and weddings, indeed any special event, with us! We have a large space at our disposal where we can host up to 200 people, so are well equipped to hold seminars and team-building events for organizations that are looking for something a little bit different for their corporate functions."
To encourage knowitall.ch clients to visit their restaurant, Jean-Pierre and Marion would like to offer you a free drink with any 2-course meal ordered at the restaurant between now and the end of June. This offer is only valid on table reservations made by phone, quoting this article from the knowitall.ch website – and only one free drink may be claimed per customer throughout the duration of this promotion. So if you're looking for a new dining experience with unforgettable views, what better reason to give it a try than a free drink!
www.saleveautrement.ch/
www.telepherique-saleve.com
Restaurant L’Observatoire
8200 route des 3 lacs
74560 Monnetier-Mornex
+33 4 50 39 60 57
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.lobservatoire.fr
www.facebook.com/lobservatoire.saleve
Open every day except Tuesday and Sunday evening, between 11h00 à 22h00*
*Dinner by reservation only
Easter menu: 20 April
Terrine de foie gras de canard maison au cognac et à la crème de châtaigne
Gigot d'agneau en fines tranches et jus au thym
Fraisier maison
€33.-/person
Wine tasting evening
25 April from 19h00
Beach party
30 May from 19h00
