Plage naturiste de Ripaille

A beach apart on Lake Geneva

Ripaille beach, also known as Pinède beach, is the only naturist beach on Lake Geneva on the French side. It was officially recognized by municipal decree in 1997, and stretches over about 300 meters of pebbles, right next to the public Pinède beach.

It has been run by Club Alpes Léman since it opened. Its location, set slightly back along the Ripaille castle grounds, keeps it very discreet: you can't spot it from the neighboring beach.

How to get there

Access is on foot, along the lake, from the parking lot of Thonon-les-Bains' municipal leisure complex. Count on about 20 minutes of walking along the shore, passing in front of Ripaille castle.

Entry is free and open, with no set hours. That's a real plus for anyone looking for a moment of naked swimming without opening times or a ticket to worry about.

On site

The ground is made of pebbles, which makes water shoes nearly essential to reach the water without wincing. In exchange, the lake water is remarkably clear and surprisingly warm for an alpine body of water, pleasant for real swimming sessions.

The atmosphere is family-friendly, especially in July and August when attendance climbs. You'll find couples, families, retirees and singles there, in a rather peaceful setting outside of peak season.

• Price: free
• Size: about 300 meters, pebble ground
• Access: on foot from the municipal parking lot, about 20 minutes
• Since 1997, run by Club Alpes Léman

What regulars say

Visitors regularly praise the beauty of the setting, the quality of the water and the calm of the place, considered well hidden and preserved. The beach draws both French and Swiss naturists, who come to enjoy this rare stretch of shoreline on Lake Geneva.

Some regret that the space keeps shrinking over time: the shoreline is gradually eroding, which tightens the room available on the pebbles. In high season, the beach's small size becomes noticeable, with crowds that can fill it up fast.