Founex combines sailing, wine and village history. At Port de Founex, there are visitor berths; wineries offer tastings and, in some cases, tours; and St-Robert Church has three distinctive choir windows. If you are looking for accommodation in Founex, it is best to plan your travel dates around the activities you want to experience: sailing camps take place during the summer holidays, and the Régate des châteaux is held in August; for tastings and individual visits, it is worth checking in advance.
Sailing: holiday activities and an August event
Port de Founex is open to the public and has seven visitor berths. As access and availability may change, check before planning a visit to the harbour. During the summer school holidays, Club Nautique de Founex runs sailing camps for children and young people aged six to 18. Dates and availability may vary; check them before your trip.
The club also offers preparatory courses for sailing and/or motorboat licences. Enrolment requirements may also change. Another point to consider when planning your trip is the Régate des châteaux: it takes place every year in mid-August at Port de Founex, although event dates may vary. The holiday camp and regatta therefore fall in different periods for a sailing-focused stay.
Wine destinations and tastings
Domaine des Biolles, in the hamlet of Châtaigneriaz, continues the Debluë family's multi-generational winemaking tradition. Tastings take place in the Caveau or Carnotzet. Domaine Debluë also offers winery tours and tastings. In the centre of Founex, Domaine de la Treille et de la Doye has a tasting cellar dating from the 19th century.
At Domaine Les Fancous, the renovated chai and cosy Carnotzet provide space for wine tastings and conversation; visitor arrangements may change. Domaine du Petit-Truet offers on-site tastings, and its bottle labels can be customised. Check visitor arrangements in advance. Les Frères Dutruy also offers tastings and walks in Founex at the Founex stop on the “De Céligny à Coppet” walking route; no current schedule is provided. At Cave la Grappe d'Or, winemaking focuses on the distinctive features of Founex's terroir, but no visitor experience is offered.
Church and village history
St-Robert Church was built in 1898 as a replica of the church in Moudon. Its artistic details include three stained-glass choir windows created by the Parisian Maison Chabin. The Chapelet de la Miséricorde Divine, Ste Faustine is held in the church on the first Friday of each month at 3 p.m. Check the date before your trip.
Local history also links specific dates with places where people gathered: the first inn opened in Founex in 1739; a few years later, three fountains were built as places to meet and socialise. These fountains are not only part of the village's historical story, but also represent community life in the area.
Nature and trails
During the 2021–2026 legislative period, protecting, maintaining and enhancing Forêt de Gachet were among the municipality's priorities. The forest is considered a remarkable natural area and a rare biotope. The renovated section of the RC 1 between Mies and Founex has a continuous path for pedestrians and cyclists on both sides of the road. As trail conditions may change temporarily, check them before setting out.
Another explicitly historical reference to mobility is the railway stop established in Founex in 1853, which at the time improved the village's connections with the surrounding area. It is part of local history; for planning a trip today, the specific trail and visitor activities described here are more relevant points of reference.
Discover more destinations: Begnins, Nyon, Crassier, Coinsins, Saint-George, Vinzel, Bursinel, Tartegnin.
Return to the main travel overview: Nyon.
