Exploring Lac Léman: An Ecolint Alumna’s Journey

Lindsey Williamson née Allan (LGB 1982) embodies the quintessential Ecolint graduate—someone for whom the question “Where are you from?” rarely has a straightforward answer. With Irish and Brazilian roots, her family's journey took them through Sweden, the UK and the USA before settling in Switzerland with Dupont. After graduating from Ecolint in 1982, she pursued higher education in the United States but was drawn back to Switzerland, where she married her high school sweetheart and fellow Ecolint alumnus, Duncan Williamson. Together, they built a life in the little village of Gingins, with their two children attending La Châtaigneraie.

In 2020, when the world slowed down due to COVID-19, Lindsey found solace in walking. A longtime walking enthusiast, she took the opportunity to explore the Lake Geneva region on foot. As her walks became more ambitious, she began to wonder: Is it possible to walk around the entire lake? Finding little in the way of detailed guides, she set out to discover the answer for herself.

Lac Léman—also known as Lac de Genève, depending on where you are—is one of Western Europe’s largest lakes, stretching 73 kilometres in length., shared between Switzerland and France, with 60% of its waters belonging to Switzerland. Any Ecolint alumni will tell you that its breathtaking scenery is among the most beautiful in the world.

Focusing on the Swiss side of the lake, Lindsey meticulously mapped out 18 accessible walking routes, spanning from Hermance to Saint-Gingolph. Her newly published hiking guide provides clear and concise instructions, making it easy for both casual walkers and avid explorers to follow in her footsteps. Designed to be accessible to all, each walk is approximately two hours long, mostly flat, and without difficulty. All 18 walks are linked so those wanting to walk for longer can just keep going! Every route begins and ends in a town with public transport connections.

Lightweight, compact and available in English and French, this self-published guide is the perfect companion for anyone eager to explore the stunning landscapes surrounding Lac Léman, and is available in both French and English. Whether you take on a single route or combine several for a longer adventure, it’s an ideal way to welcome the arrival of spring and get moving!

Order your copy here and start exploring!

For inquiries, you can contact Lindsey at [email protected].