The charming villages on the edge of Lake Geneva
In Geneva, at the end of magnificent alleys lined by centuries-old trees, there are beautiful properties discreetly hidden (not because of their size) in small villages on the shores of Lake Geneva, in Collonge-Bellerive, Corsier, and Anières to be precise.
To discover them, take off and sail on the lake or simply call your BARNES consultant, who’ll be able to open the doors of beautiful houses for sale. It’s not a secret, these exceptional properties are highly desired yet very rare. Expert assistance is essential in order to secure a house with a panoramic view of the lake and mountains or a waterfront villa where you can dock your boat, canoe, paddle boards, or any other nautical toys.
Collonge-Bellerive
The pretty municipality of Collonge-Bellerive is tiny, only 6.12 km2 (or 2.36 mi2) in size, and made up of a collection of villages: Vésenaz (go back to the menu and click on our article “Along the shores of Lake Geneva'), La Capite, La Pallanterie., and Saint-Maurice.
In this part of Geneva, you'll be astounded by the sight of exceptional houses of varying architectural styles: Norman houses, arcachonnaise villas, Key West-style villas in the pastel colours of Florida, houses of modern designs worthy of Hollywood films, Provencal bastides, Savoyards chalets (the most famous being the Villa-Chalet du Prince Essling). Of course, we pride ourselves on discretion, but between us, there are some princes and princesses that live on the shores of Collonge-Bellerive in houses - excuse us - rather castles that are hidden in lush vegetation.
In the canton of Geneva, Collonge-Bellerive is known to be very chic, intimate, and familial. At its center is a delightful little country village with just a few shops, a Friday market, a flowery town hall and some gourmet eateries like Collonge Café, which offers flavorful Mediterranean cuisine in a modern setting: a nice terrace and a youthful team led by chef-duo Angelo Citiulo and Emanuele Cappellini. Residents have no need to go all the way to the city when Vésenaz has everything you can possibly desire (shops, luxury grocery, hairdresser, beauty salon, medical center, veterinarian, post office, etc.).
Collonge-Bellerive offers an upscale experience, like its neighbor Cologny, with all the advantages of a life in the countryside, at water's edge, just 10 minutes from the center of Geneva. This makes it one of the most in-demand areas for Geneva’s super-elite clientele.
A property in Collonge-Bellerive is necessary, if...
- You don’t believe in top-secret addresses
- Your idea of luxury is taking the boat to the office (or at least the option)
- A countryside by the lake is your ideal
Corsier and Anières
Originally, Corsier and Anières was a single commune, but for religious reasons in 1858, they went their separate ways. The tiny town of Corsier (2.74 km2, 1.06 mi2) is divided into Corsier-Village and Corsier-Port and renowned around the world for its very own UNESCO World Heritage Site: the prehistoric pile dwellings, or still houses, the pride and joy of villagers.
In Corsier-Port, it’s nice to walk on the shores of the lake, to dock your boat on the harbor and savor the famous fish filets of the restaurant Le Petit Lac, while seated on its airy terrace. Here, as well as from the villas or promenades, the panoramas of the lake, Jura, and the Alps are simply magical.
With the air of the countryside, Corsier-Village is a small village in the middle of fields and full of old houses. The landscape of pastures and vineyards is quite charming, and the vegetable crops that sell at the Friday market a refreshing delight.
This little village is very family-oriented and offers excellent schooling: primary schools, Montessori schools, and the famous Collège Saint-Louis.
The municipality of Anières is located right next door. You’ll find most of its residences on the shores or in the hills, facing the west side of the lake. The resulting panoramas are nothing short of sublime. Anières is known for its beach, a favorite of swimmers and picnic goers (in the warmer seasons, of course). Only 3.8 km2 (1.49 mi2) situated near the French border, Anières is the richest municipality in Switzerland. How? Once upon a time, one of the municipality’s wealthiest residents paid 120 million francs worth of taxes. Now, sitting on a comfortable cushion, the municipality’s leaders are constantly brainstorming new ways to improve residents’ quality of life - a very difficult task seeing as how life in Anières is already top of the line. Families from Geneva and the surrounding area love meeting in its small rustic restaurants lodged in the middle of vineyards. Our favorite is Le Cottage, where Nick Séchaud welcomes guests to enjoy his excellent menu. The atmosphere is so friendly that it’s bound to become your go-to spot.
Your house will be in Corsier or Anières, if...
- You always wanted to live in a mini village at the gates of a big city
- You like feasts of all kinds, but especially in Switzerland
- A life by the lake. End of story.
Photo Credit: Alain Rouiller