famous road
Route des Grandes Alpes
France's ultimate driving route: ~700 km from Lake Geneva to the Riviera over 16 great alpine cols including Iseran and Galibier. Pin marks the traditional start at Thonon-les-Bains.
21 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeFranceRhône-Alpes
Abondance
Rhône-Alpes, France · Europe
About Abondance
Abondance works well as a base: 15 minutes from Saint-Jean-d'Aulps, 21km from Route des Grandes Alpes.
Abondance is in Rhône-Alpes, France, with about 1,500 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Saint-Jean-d'Aulps, about 7 km away.
Abondance (French pronunciation: [abɔ̃dɑ̃s] ; Savoyard: L’Abâyie) is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.
It lies in the French Alps just south of Lake Geneva on the Swiss border. The people of this commune are referred to as Abondanciers.
Abondance hasRead more
given its name to a variety of cheese made in the region, the breed of cattle from whose milk the cheese is made and the valley in which it stands. Other villages in the Vallee D'Abondance are Chatel and La Chapelle D'Abondance. It is a small and quiet town with several bars, hotels, restaurants, a bank, some food and ski/outdoor shops and a lively Sunday morning Market serving the Vallee D'Abondance. One of its features is the 14th century Abbey. The commune was founded around the year 1040.
In the 2006–2007 ski season, a year of very poor snowfall, a decision was made to shut down the town's ski area after a long period of loss-making. The town's plea for government aid to support the resort was denied due to its unlikelihood to return to profit due to lack of snow. However, the resort reopened in 2009–10 and each winter since has remained open throughout the season. L'Essert is the name of the town's ski area and it has 7 lifts and 13 runs, including two nursery slopes, 6 blue runs, 3 red and 2 black and a mountain restaurant. Ecole du Ski Francais operates in Abondance. In addition to downhill skiing, the resort has 10 km of cross-country ski and snow shoe trails. Summer visitors go to Abondance for the walking, history and outdoor activities.
Abondance is home to the international boarding school Sainte Croix des Neiges.
Where to Stay in Abondance
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Abondance?
Within an hour or so of Abondance: Route des Grandes Alpes (21 km), Château de Chillon (22 km), Montreux (22 km), Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) (22 km).
Are there any good drives near Abondance?
The nearest famous roads are Route des Grandes Alpes, Col de la Forclaz (Valais) and Col du Pillon.
Where is Abondance?
Abondance is in Rhône-Alpes, France, about 7 km from Saint-Jean-d'Aulps.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 1,498
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- France
- Region
- Rhône-Alpes
- Timezone
- Europe/Paris
- Coordinates
- 46.2787, 6.7210
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in France
Carrying a warning triangle and hi-vis vest in your vehicle is mandatory. Motorway emergency phones connect to official breakdown services only.
Full driving guide for FranceTags
Worth the detour from Abondance
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
castle
Château de Chillon
A medieval island castle on the shores of Lake Geneva, the most visited historic monument in Switzerland.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Montreux
The 'Pearl of the Swiss Riviera' on Lake Geneva, home to the famous jazz festival, Freddie Mercury's statue, and nearby Château de Chillon.
22 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)
Western Europe's largest lake, shared with France, framed by the Alps and lined with vineyards, castles, and the famous Jet d'Eau fountain.
22 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Lavaux Vineyard Terraces
UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards cascading down to Lake Geneva, cultivated since the 11th century with spectacular views of the Alps.
23 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Cascade du Rouget
Known as the 'Queen of the Alps,' this dramatic 90-meter double waterfall cascades down a cliff face in Haute-Savoie.
28 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
Lac d'Emosson
A high dam lake reached by a steep dead-end road, facing directly across to the Mont Blanc massif. Dinosaur trackways lie on the slabs above it.
28 km · about 35 min drive
mountain pass
Col de la Forclaz (Valais)
The pass above Martigny on the road to Chamonix, kept open all year and a natural gateway to the Mont Blanc valleys.
33 km · about 40 min drive
Driving roads near Abondance
7 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- 21 kmRoute des Grandes AlpesFrance's ultimate driving route: ~700 km from Lake Geneva to the Riviera over 16 great alpine cols including Iseran and Galibier. Pin marks the traditional start at Thonon-les-Bains.
- 23 kmLavaux Vineyard TerracesUNESCO-listed terraced vineyards cascading down to Lake Geneva, cultivated since the 11th century with spectacular views of the Alps.
- 33 kmCol de la Forclaz (Valais)The pass above Martigny on the road to Chamonix, kept open all year and a natural gateway to the Mont Blanc valleys.
- 38 kmCol du PillonA 1,546 m pass in the Vaud Alps between Les Diablerets and Gstaad, the gateway to the Glacier 3000 cable car and a smooth, scenic link on any western Swiss Alps road trip.
- 44 kmSanetsch PassA spectacular dead-end climb from the Rhône vineyards above Sion past the Tsanfleuron glacier to 2,242 m; because no through road exists it stays near-empty, and only a cable car continues to Gsteig.
- 46 kmAiguille du MidiA vertiginous 3,842-meter granite needle reached by a spectacular cable car, offering face-to-face views of Mont Blanc.
Driving in France
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.85/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€10.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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