Culture and history
The fountain in the centre of Bonneville’s square has been listed as a historic monument since 16 November 1942. The fountain on the Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville was built in 1786 and is designed in the Baroque style. The Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville in Bonneville is a large triangular square of medieval origin that was completely restored in 2013.
The 22-metre-high Colonne Charles-Félix commemorates the measures taken by the King of Sardinia to contain the Arve. The Maison des Têtes is a Baroque house rebuilt by Chauplannaz in 1738. Rue Brune is one of the oldest streets in Bonneville and leads from the arcades of the Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville to Rue du Pont.
The Château de Bonneville, also known as the Château des Sires de Faucigny, was built in the 13th century, around 1260, by Beatrice de Faucigny on a rocky hill at the foot of Le Môle, on the advice of her father, Peter II. Two corner towers remain, connected on the eastern side by an 18-metre-long curtain wall. It has been listed in the Inventaire des Monuments historiques since 1987. The Château de Bonneville is considered the only surviving example of medieval Savoyard military architecture in the Savoy region.
Those who choose Bonneville as a destination because of its historic squares and buildings may wish to rent a holiday apartment.
Nature
The Les Îles de la Barque circular hiking route is easy, 6.2 kilometres long and takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The ponds of Les Îles de la Barque mark the entrance to the Arve Valley Natura 2000 site. At the ponds of Les Îles de la Barque, visitors may walk from the open areas and observe the surroundings in peace.
Orientation
The map for Bonneville’s cultural route is available free of charge from the tourist office or as a download; the Bonneville cultural route can be followed independently and, with the help of this map, leads to 17 places of interest with brief historical descriptions.
The Faucigny Glières Tourisme tourist office provides information and tailored advice year-round on heritage, leisure activities, events and accommodation in the area and its surroundings.
Other destinations: Cons-Sainte-Colombe, Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Mûres, Saint-Pierre-En-Faucigny, La Forclaz, Châtillon-sur-Cluses, Thollon, Arâches-La-Frasse
