Port

Port Ripaille

Name: Port Ripaille
Address: FR
Telephone: +33450260991

4.1FranceLake Geneva, French shore

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Maximum draught: 9 ft

Marina on the French south shore of Lake Geneva, in Thonon-les-Bains, at the foot of the Domaine de Ripaille.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Open approach from the lake, no tides. Entrance between two breakwaters, exposed to the bise blowing from the north-east across the lake. Max draught 3 m. Berths are on lazy lines rather than visitor buoys, so pick up the mooring line at the pontoon. No VHF watch typical of inland marinas; contact by phone.

Practical

Berths on pontoons with water and electricity. Capitainerie seasonal. Fuel berth at the neighbouring Port des Pêcheurs in central Thonon. Payment can be made in Swiss francs. Commerces of Thonon-les-Bains at 1.5 km.

Ashore

Domaine de Ripaille adjoining the harbour, a 15th century château built for Amédée VIII of Savoy, with 53 hectares of vineyards and a forest arboretum. A beach, a bar and several restaurants sit beside the harbour. AOC Ripaille white wine from the Chasselas grape. Thonon funicular down to the lakeside at 2 km.

History

The Château de Ripaille was the residence of Duke Amédée VIII of Savoy, elected antipope under the name Felix V at the Council of Basel in 1439. The expression 'faire ripaille' in French, meaning to feast heartily, is popularly linked to the ducal banquets held here.