Circular trail No. 2 leads to the geological formations known as “demoiselles coiffées.” Marin also offers winegrowing, sacred architectural history and other routes through the landscape as ways to explore the area. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether hiking, wine and terroir, or historic buildings will shape your stay.

Hiking Trails and Landscape

Circular trail No. 2, “Le bois des pins,” is 5.2 kilometres long; the stated walking time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. It leads to the “demoiselles coiffées.” Erosion formed these geological features above Marin’s municipal forest, on the banks of the Dranse. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

The Forêt de Marin combines varied deciduous woodland with Scots pine and spruce. It offers views of Lake Geneva and is also home to protected animal and plant species. The Tour des Vignes de Marin offers a different focus: it passes through forests, vineyards and meadows, with views of the Dranse Valley, Dent d’Oche and Lake Geneva. Visibility depends on the weather.

The trails also differ in their themes. While circular trail No. 2 leads to a geological feature, circular trail No. 3, “Les moulins du Maravant,” passes the remains of mills hidden in a valley along the Maravant. The Tour des Vignes, meanwhile, centres on the transitions between forest, vineyards and meadows, as well as the viewpoints mentioned above.

Winegrowing and Terroir

Domaine Delalex is a nine-hectare family-run winegrowing estate in Marin. It mainly produces a dry, fruity white wine from the Chasselas grape variety. Visitors can taste the wine and learn about the estate’s winegrowing methods. As visitor offerings may change, check the latest details before your visit.

In summer, the Guides du Patrimoine Savoie Mont-Blanc offer discovery tours exploring Marin’s landscape and terroir, including its winegrowing area. This makes it easy to distinguish between the two focuses: Domaine Delalex offers tastings and insights into winegrowing, while the seasonal tours focus on landscape and terroir. Check the dates of the summer tours before travelling.

Sacred Buildings and History

The Chapelle Saint-Etienne de Marin is located within the territory of Marin and was listed as a historic monument by decree on 5 June 1941. Its main construction phases date from the 12th and 13th centuries. The Église de Marin offers a different historical focus: it houses an elaborately carved baptismal font dating from the 14th century. Comparing the two buildings therefore reveals different periods in the local history of sacred architecture.

The pilgrimage to Sainte Anne is also associated with the Église de Marin. It takes place every year on 26 July; specific arrangements may vary. If you would like to plan your trip around the pilgrimage, check the details in advance.

Getting There and Planning Your Trip

If travelling by TGV, use Thonon-les-Bains railway station as your reference point and check the latest timetables before your trip. There are different ways to choose the focus of your visit: the stated walking time for circular trail No. 2, the seasonal terroir tours, the pilgrimage on 26 July, or the area’s architectural history and landscape. This lets you plan your trip around the aspects of Marin that interest you most.

Discover More Destinations

Bons-En-Chablais, Alby-Sur-Chéran, Montmin, Fillinges, Bonneville, Reignier-Esery, Viuz-En-Sallaz, Lathuile

For the main travel overview: Haute-Savoie.