Back to the Balcony
Returning to Thollon les Memises above Lake Geneva, I’m reopening Tales from the Balcony with mountain stories, village life, favourite places, and the enduring spirit of the Auld Alliance
Welcome to Lake Geneva
Welcome to the beautiful shores of Lake Geneva. Everyone’s heard of Geneva. Famous for its iconic fountain, home of the Red Cross and countless other…
A Tale from my Thollon Balcony
A glimpse of life in Thollon, a quiet French Alpine village above Lake Geneva, told from a balcony with sweeping mountain views and changing seasons.
Lake Geneva and The Birth of Submarine Tourism
Discover the story of the world’s first tourist submarine, the Auguste Piccard,, and the brief moment when visitors could explore beneath Lake Geneva.
Spring in Thollon: The Quiet Season Above Lake Geneva
Spring in Thollon doesn’t arrive all at once, it slips in quietly – in the sound of melting snow, empty terraces, and the gentle return of life along Lake Geneva.
Take the High Road: A sensational Alpine route to the South of France
Some roads are just a way to get from A to B The Route des Grandes Alpes is different: here, the road itself is the…
Tour de France 2026 in Evian
The Tour de France 2026 is coming to the Haute Savoie. Discover the jerseys, caravan excitement and why Evian and Lake Geneva will be buzzing this July
Getting to the bottom of it – a deep dive into Lake Geneva
I’d love to be able to describe to you how I plunged into the lake, dressed in a squeaky rubber suit, and snorkeled my way to the bottom
How Not to Shop in a French Market
I love a good French market. For the congenitally curious like me, it’s paradise on earth. Here’s a cautionary tale, however, on how not to…
Menton Lemon Festival: Sunlight, Citrus and Winter on the Côte d’Azur
Love lemons? Discover the Menton Lemon Festival on the Côte d’Azur – where winter light, citrus and colour transform this seaside town into something unforgettable.