Valleiry is a town in Haute-Savoie, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 20 km southwest of Geneva.
The border with Switzerland constitutes the "northern" limit of the territory, with an area of nearly 7 km², and which ranges from 355 to 560 m above sea level.
The locality is also located on the left bank of the Rhône, whose course is only a few kilometers away, to the north, while belonging to the country of Vuache, named after a massif which culminates in the south at just over 1100 m above sea level.
The village has long had an agricultural vocation, the income from the land being the property of the Geneva chapters.
During the 20th century, its proximity to the Geneva metropolitan area boosted its demography (its population has quadrupled in 40 years, now reaching nearly 4,500 inhabitants). Served by the A40 motorway, Valleiry has also for several years hosted a logistics and research center dedicated to Formula 1, dependent on the International Automobile Federation.
However, although it has become residential and active, the town has retained a green environment and has a wide variety of leisure activities.
A discovery of the locality can begin with its Saint-Etienne church, built in 1848 only when half of the population still belonged to the Reformed religion. The style of the church is neo-Gothic. Inside you can see the fresco that adorns the vault, the stained glass window representing Christ in glory, the high altar in white Carrara marble and the baptistery which dates from before the appearance of the Reformation (16th century). The building, already restored in 1921, is the subject of a new work campaign in 2021 (improvement of lighting, renovation of paintings).
In another genre, see the Franco-Swiss Memorial paying tribute to French resistance fighters and to the Swiss who granted them aid and refuge. Contemporary in style, we see a stone representing German oppression. A man tries to repel the enemy while a woman supports him.
On the cultural side, activities (readings, workshops, meetings) are regularly offered at the library (information on +33 4 50 04 20 79) and at the Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture, shows, concerts and exhibitions punctuate the rich programming (contact on +33 4 50 04 30 45).
For athletes, the potential for equipment and activities is wide. A fitness trail and a play area are located at the town's sports complex, as well as a bowling alley. Route de Chancy, a skate park has been set up, and in the same area, a tennis hall is accessible (reservation of courts with the club on +33 4 50 04 23 48).
Fans of hiking have remarkable potential at their disposal: the so-called customs officers' trail from Valleiry runs along the border with Switzerland in a bucolic setting and leads to the towns of Chancy and Pougny. This 15 km course presents some difficulties when the "stairs" of the terraces of the Rhône valley are taken. The price to pay to enjoy exceptional landscapes and panoramas!
Other loops allow you to reach the peaks of Vuache or even, for the most experienced walkers, the area around Geneva and Lake Geneva. Maps and information on +33 4 50 04 71 63 and +33 4 50 04 30 29.
