Do you want to do something unusual with your family, a group of friends, or guest visiting for the nth time? We have a great day out just at your doorstep.
If you like the idea of a hike without too much denivelation, then read on! Take the télépherique to 1,100m then walk 20 minutes to the restaurant de l’observatoire where you will be greeted with a 360° view of the Alps and Mont Blanc as well as the best spit-fired chicken around! The specialty of this restaurant comes with French fries and family-style salad (one bowl for the whole table). It is a real bargain for only €18.-! The restaurant is built on the site of an observatory that was destroyed in WWI. Open Saturday to Tuesday from 11h-18h. Vegetarian or fish menu with prior 24-hour notice.
On the way you will pass another restaurant, La Table d'Orientation, that is a more up-market restaurant serving quality food. They obviously have great views too, and you will know when you reach this place, as it shares its building with a Buddhist temple.
If you prefer to eat right at the cable car building there is a terrific restaurant, L'Horizon, that serves to individuals and groups (but make sure to book in advance as they are full on a regular basis). Closed winter.
Along the mostly shady walk you will find some wild flowers, incredibly twisted tree roots (not suitable for strollers), and dozens of paragliders ready to throw themselves off the cliff into oblivion! Make sure to take your camera and send us a photo!
HOW TO GET THERE
First, find your way to the télépherique cable car at the foot of the Salève just across the border of Veyrier, Geneva. Signs are posted as soon as you pass the border. Buy your tickets for the round-trip — unless you would like to walk down — and all aboard the 5 minute cable ride up Europe’s smallest mountain, Mont Salève, at 1,100m.
The télépherique is open during October from Tuesday to Sunday 9h30-18h, November on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until November 13. There is a cable car leaving every 12 minutes and the cost won’t break the bank at €10.80/adult for round-trip, €7.60/age 17-25, €6.-/age 3-16. Family pass available. If you have an annual or monthly bus pass with the TPG then you only page €5.40. TPG 8 bus stop at Veyrier.-douane, then cross the border, follow signs to the télépherique (cable car) or by car take the autoroute A1, exit Annemasse, then follow D1206 to Etrembières-téléphérique du Salève. 15 minutes by car from Geneva center.
SOME TECHNICAL INFORMATION
To define a mountain from a hill: anything over 600m in height is considered a mountain and the peak of the Grand Salève is 1,400m. The Salève is divided into 2 parts — le petit and le grand. From the photo you can really see the two sections. The Salève is part of the French pre-Alps.
HISTORY OF THE TELEPHERIQUE DU SALEVE
The cable car was built in 1932 and designed by architect Maurice Braillard and engineer André Rebuffel. August Fournier was the visionary behind the whole concept. During the war, the cable car service was interrupted but reopened in 1947. Traffic never picked up as before and in 1975 it was closed down.
Fortunately in 1984, after major reconstructive works by a joint French-Geneva effort, the télépherique was reopened under a private enterprise, La Société Rothchild, lasting 25 years. In 2008, an association by the name of GLCT handed the management over to Veolia Transport, which has made it the success it is today. In March 2009 a restaurant was opened at the cable car building at the top thus enticing people of all walks of life to the summit.
If you want more information about the history of the cable car there is an exposition in the top building hosted by the Museum of Natural History in Geneva.
Le Telepherique du Saleve
Le Pas de l’Echelle
74100 Etrembières
France
0033/450 39 86 86
www.telepherique-du-saleve.com
Le Restaurant du Telepherique du Saleve
Restaurant L'Horizon
74560 Monnetier-Mornex
France
0033/450 39 09 09
www.telepheriquedusaleve.com/restauration
Restaurant de l’Observatoire du Salève
8200, rte des 3 Lacs
74560 Monnetier Mornex France
0033/450 39 60 57
For lots more information on other great places to visit please go to pages 83-136 in Know-it-all passport® 2011/2012.
