Vers combines religious tradition and signposted hiking trails with a visit to a soap-making workshop. Notre-Dame des Voyageurs, routes across the heights and the demonstration at Savons du LĂ©man each offer a different focus. For your stay, first decide whether pilgrimage and views, hiking or an insight into soap-making should take priority.
Church, pilgrimage and views
The church in Vers is dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Nativité. The church and bell tower are open daily year-round and admission is free; check these details again before your visit. Notre-Dame des Voyageurs is also still a pilgrimage site, and the pilgrimage takes place on the first Sunday in August each year. If you are travelling for it, check the date for the relevant year.
At Notre-Dame des Voyageurs stands a statue of the Virgin and Child, created in 1945 by Lyon sculptor Lucien Gratien. Together with the panoramic view across the Geneva Basin, it gives the site a different focus from the pilgrimage: the artwork and the view are part of the place, while the pilgrimage day has a fixed date. In summer, Notre-Dame des Voyageurs is a good spot for a shaded picnic break overlooking Genève, Lac Léman, the mountains and the plain.
Hiking trails and a turnoff
Vers offers several marked hiking trails signposted by the Syndicat Intercommunal du Vuache. The Way of St James passes over the heights of Vers. The Via Romana follows an old Roman road through the Genevois; at the hamlet of Sous le Plan, at an elevation of 730 metres, you can turn right from this route onto the GR Balcon du LĂ©man long-distance trail.
The routes offer different landmarks for navigation: the Way of St James is characterised by its route over the heights, while Sous le Plan is the specific point for joining the GR. If you plan to take the turnoff, check the current trail markers before setting out.
Soap-making at Savons du LĂ©man
At Savons du LĂ©man, the soap-making process itself is a visitor attraction. A demonstration shows how soap is made on site; visitors can also cut a freshly made bar of soap. During a workshop visit, you can learn about the production of natural, artisan-made soaps. Watching and taking part in a step of the process are different parts of the visit: you can experience soap-making both through the demonstration and by cutting the soap. Visiting times vary by date; check the specific time in advance.
Plan your journey
Lihsa bus line 13 runs from Vers in the direction of Saint-Julien. Check the current timetable before travelling if you plan to take the bus. If you are visiting for the pilgrimage on the first Sunday in August or for a workshop appointment that varies by date, you can plan your journey around the event.
Discover more destinations: Gaillard, Praz-Sur-Arly, Annemasse, Talloires, Alby-Sur-Chéran, Mégevette, Essert-Romand, Vétraz-Monthoux.
Back to the regional travel overview: Haute-Savoie.
