Attractions and Places To See around Novel - Top 20

The region around Novel is characterized by its mountainous terrain and proximity to the Alps, offering diverse natural features. You can explore stunning summits like Dent d'Oche summit, which provides extensive panoramas over Lake Geneva and even Mont Blanc on clear days. Another notable peak is Grammont Summit (2,172 m), offering views over Lake Geneva from Lausanne to Chillon Castle. Additionally, the beautifully situated Lac de Taney is a fantastic lake to visit, serving as a starting point for ascents to peaks like Alamont and Grammont.

While many attractions around Novel are focused on challenging mountain hikes, The Vevey Fork offers a unique and family-friendly experience. This giant fork sculpture in Lake Geneva indicates the entrance to the Alimentarium, a food museum located in a neoclassical building that was once the Nestlé headquarters. The museum offers interactive exhibits, culinary classes, and workshops suitable for families, along with a beautiful garden overlooking the lake.

For breathtaking views, consider visiting The Vuargne Cross (Pic des Mémises Summit Cross). This highest point of the Mémises mountain range offers magnificent, extensive views on clear days, with an orientation sign and a large summit cross. Another excellent spot is Dent d'Oche summit, where the panorama over Lake Geneva is gigantic, and you can often see Mont Blanc.

The mountainous region around Novel is ideal for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous road cycling routes, running trails, and mountain biking trails. For road cycling, explore options like the 'Lakeside Kiosk – View of Lake Geneva loop' or the 'Grangettes Nature Reserve – View of Lake Geneva loop'. Runners can tackle challenging routes such as the 'Lac Darbon loop' or the 'Mémises Peak loop'. Mountain bikers have choices like the 'Lac de Taney – Lac de Taney loop' or the 'Chillon Castle – Lakeside Promenade on Lake Geneva loop'. You can find more details on these activities in the Road Cycling Routes around Novel, Running Trails around Novel, and MTB Trails around Novel guides.

Yes, the area around Novel offers several challenging trails. The ascent to Grammont Summit (2,172 m) from Lac de Taney is a mountain hiking trail (red-white-red) that requires familiarity with the terrain and a head for heights. Similarly, reaching Dent d'Oche summit involves some climbing and exposed passages equipped with cables, making it suitable for experienced hikers. The last 150 meters to the summit of Pic Boré, accessible from The Vuargne Cross (Pic des Mémises Summit Cross), are also very steep, requiring good hiking equipment.

Visitors frequently praise the magnificent views and the natural beauty of the area. Many highlight the extensive panoramas from summits like Dent d'Oche summit and The Vuargne Cross (Pic des Mémises Summit Cross). The fantastically located Lac de Taney is also a favorite, appreciated for its serene setting and as a starting point for further exploration. The presence of wildlife, such as ibexes on Grammont Summit (2,172 m), also adds to the memorable experience.

Yes, Lac de Taney is not only a beautiful lake but also features a restaurant, making it a convenient spot to enjoy a meal or refreshments after a hike or before starting an ascent to nearby peaks like Alamont and Grammont.

Given the mountainous terrain and varying elevations (780 to 2,180 meters), sturdy shoes and appropriate hiking equipment are essential. For challenging trails, hiking poles are recommended. If you plan to visit in cooler months or at higher altitudes, be prepared for cold and windy conditions; bringing dry clothes to change into is advisable.

While Novel itself is a small commune known more for its natural landscapes, the nearby The Vevey Fork is a unique man-made monument with cultural significance. This giant fork in Lake Geneva marks the location of the Alimentarium, a food museum housed in the historic former Nestlé headquarters. The museum delves into nutrition, health, and food history, offering a blend of cultural and educational experiences.

Yes, you can access the hiking trail leading to The Vuargne Cross (Pic des Mémises Summit Cross) via a cable car. This cable car operates in summer, typically until the beginning of September, making the initial ascent to the Mémises mountain range more accessible before continuing on foot to the summit.

The best time to visit largely depends on the activities you plan. For hiking and enjoying the mountain views, summer and early autumn (when the cable car to Mémises is open) offer pleasant weather. However, some challenging trails can be slippery in rainy conditions. If you're interested in winter sports, the area above the open high plateau of Mémises is known as a ski area.