Yvoire () is a medieval town in France, in the department of Haute-Savoie, within the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. On the French side of Lake Geneva, it is roughly northeast, by road, of Geneva, Switzerland.
Geography Located at the northern tip of the Leman peninsula (presqu'île de Léman), Yvoire delimits the two main parts of Lake Geneva, the "petit lac" and the "grand lac".
History During the period of the Holy Roman Empire, the town was within the County of Savoy, a feudal state of the empire (elevated during the 15th century to the Duchy of Savoy, an Imperial Estate). In the 14th century, Count Amadeus V fortified the town, adding Château d'Yvoire and associated ramparts. It soon gained strategic military importance and the inhabitants were given tax privileges.
Features The town is known for its medieval buildings and summer floral displays, as well as the Jardin des Cinq Sens, a garden in the center of the town. It is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages of France) Association.
Population
See also Communes of the Haute-Savoie department
References
External links
Yvoire tourism website