Veigy-Foncenex is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 15 km northeast of Geneva.
Its territory of 13 km² is partly surrounded by Switzerland, bordering to the north, west and south!
Also close to the shores of Lake Geneva, a few hectometres to the north, the locality falls within the western part of French Chablais. It has retained a green environment, covered with wooded areas (35% of its area) and agricultural land (42%).
However, due to the proximity of the Geneva conurbation, the various hamlets of the commune (Veigy-village, Foncenex, Crevy and Les Verrières) tend to come together.
Already occupied during Antiquity by a Roman domain, Veigy passed from the Frankish Empire to the Duchy of Savoy in the Middle Ages, a troubled period during which the feudal castle was ransacked during a raid by Bernese troops. Later, after the Revolution, Veigy was part of the department of Mont-Blanc for a time and then joined the province of Chablais. Since the end of the 20th century, the town has experienced a demographic boom and it now has nearly 4,000 inhabitants. Between Geneva and Thonon-les-Bains, between Lake Geneva and the Alpine peaks to the south, the local sports and cultural leisure offer should be taken into account during a stay in the region.
In terms of heritage, Veigy-Foncenex has a few sites of interest, starting with its Saint-Georges church, which became a parish when the two villages joined together after the Revolution. It had been built in 1717 on the foundations of a first medieval place of worship. With a cruciform plan, the church has a bell tower-porch and houses several works classified as objects: a Baroque-style high altar installed in 1729 when the interior decoration was remodeled, but also two paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries belonging to the Italian school, one representing the Resurrection and the second Saint-Joseph and the child Jesus.
As regards the civil heritage, one can observe in the village the Château de Veigy mentioned as early as the 12th century but which was rebuilt in a neo-classical style. Surrounded by an English-style park laid out in 1840, the estate houses guest rooms but can be admired from the outside.
Furthermore, in the hamlet of Crevy, the remains of an early 18th century castle with its outbuildings are still present, but a major renovation project to build a luxury hotel complex there has recently day.
In terms of cultural leisure, the Maison des Jeunes offers a number of activities, including for adults, from dance to circus arts, including table tennis. Information on +33 4 50 94 87 28. The media library, for its part, regularly hosts exhibitions, readings or meetings. Contact +33 4 50 94 15 82.
On the sports side, in the heart of the village, there is a synthetic football pitch, tennis courts (to be reserved with the local club on +33 7 82 24 04 33), a multi- sports and a "skate park". Information at the town hall on +33 4 50 94 90 11.
Located along the road to Geneva, the Veigy golf course is suitable for both beginners and experienced players. Nine holes make up the course ("par 25") designed in a wooded environment. A large putting green, two approach areas and a practice area with 25 posts are also available. Open all year. Visitor rate: from 20 to 26 euros. Information on +33 4 50 94 99 52.
On the sport side again, the Geneva Polo Club has been established in the northern part of the territory since 2008, which has an area of 30 hectares no less than two grass pitches. If membership and practice are only reserved for an elite, certain training sessions and competitions in this very special discipline are open to the public from May to October. Information at (+41) 223 177 820.
A stage at Veigy-Foncenex is also suitable for hiking. In addition to the paths via which you can enjoy the bucolic charms of the countryside surrounding the town, it is easy to reach the shores of Lake Geneva with its resorts and its potential for nautical activities or, on the contrary, to take some height by reaching the first slopes of Chablais. to benefit from unparalleled points of view. Walkers or cyclists can reach Geneva via secure routes. Maps and information on +33 4 50 72 80 21.
