A BIKE RIDE THROUGH GENEVA’S FARMLAND
by Alexandra Osváth
As we haven’t been able to travel as much lately, we’ve taken the time to get to know Geneva better – by bike.
On this cycling route through quaint villages and farms around Geneva, we felt as if we’d stepped into another world. We spotted a sign advertising a 24-hour dispenser of farm produce, and we were intrigued! We left our planned route to check this out for ourselves and discovered the postcard-perfect village of Lullier, which is barely on the map – read on for more details.
We hope you’ll enjoy this cycling route and the chance to buy farm-fresh produce along the way!
For more bike route recommendations read our previous article called Cycle through Geneva’s Picture Perfect Vineyards.
THE ROUTE
Click here to get the bike route on your phone, so you can follow it on Google maps: ROUTE
From central Geneva, head out through Eaux-Vives and Champel, eventually joining up with the Voie Verte, a cycling and pedestrian path that connects Geneva with neighbouring France. It’s a great way to get further out of the city – safely away from cars.
You’ll pass through Chêne-Bourg and the town of Puplinge – and then the real cycling adventure begins.
We headed off through amber-coloured wheat fields on a narrow path, only passing one other cyclist. We admired the grand, solitary trees casting the only shade in the sun-drenched fields.
We biked through a farm advertising free-range eggs, and we saw the very hens in question! Given that our bikes aren’t as smooth a ride as a car, we decided against buying fresh eggs – safer another day.
LOCAL SECRET
When we saw a small sign off the main road advertising a 24-hour dispenser of farm produce, we just had to turn off and have a look. The road wound through vineyards and an orchard, and soon we arrived in the tiny, quaint village of Lullier. At the entrance to a huge farm building we saw the sign for the produce dispenser – which was unbelievably clever. We entered a naturally cooled room with glass lockers, filled with a variety of fresh goodies right from the farm. A pretty hand-written sign explained what produce was on offer, and the price of each option. We were amazed to see there was even a credit card reader for purchases.
While we were there, several cars pulled up with customers – this is definitely a well-kept local secret!
THROUGH FIELDS AND FOREST
We continued on our way, passing through gorgeous sunflower fields and stopping for a few pictures. Fields gave way to a forest, past a rustic wood gate. We enjoyed the shade and the rustle of the wind in the trees.
The narrow path joined up with a road, which led us past another quaint village. We spied a water fountain just off the path and refilled our water bottles with the fresh water from a well dated 1900.
As we continued downhill, we passed beautiful fields dotted with hay bales and the Mount Salève in the distance, making for the perfect photograph.
We soon arrived at the village of Presinge, but as it was a Sunday, the local café was just closing. Its shaded terrace looked very inviting!
Bonne route!
MORE INFO
BIKE RENTAL
Genèveroule
Reserve a bike here.
Place de Montbrillant 17, 1201 Genève
WHERE
AUBERGE COMMUNALE DE PRESINGE
chezlaperonnette.ch
Route de La-Louvière 9
1243, Presinge
WHEN
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday and Thursday: 8 am – 9:30 pm
Friday and Saturday: 8 am – 11 pm
Sunday: 8 am – 6:30 pm
This bike route is inspired by a route from the book Autour de Genève by Philippe Deroussen.
