French President Emmanuel Macron has chosen Evian-les-Bains, a scenic lakeside community tucked between the Alps and Lake Geneva, as the setting for this year’s gathering of leaders from the Group of Seven wealthy nations.
A Small Town With an Outsized Legacy
Situated in the Haute-Savoie region of eastern France along the southern bank of Lake Geneva — directly opposite Switzerland — Evian-les-Bains is home to fewer than 10,000 residents. Despite its small footprint, the town has long attracted visitors with its thermal springs, picturesque lakeside views, and Belle Epoque-style architecture.
The town also holds significant historical weight: it was in Evian-les-Bains that the “Evian Accords” were signed, the agreement that brought the Algerian War to a close and recognized Algeria as an independent nation.
The Birthplace of a World-Famous Water Brand
Most people around the globe know Evian-les-Bains through its namesake mineral water. The water originates as rainfall and snowmelt that filters through layers of glacial moraine and alpine rock before emerging from natural springs. A French nobleman first discovered the springs in 1789, and seven years later, the town’s first thermal spa opened its doors. Commercial bottling of the water got underway in 1826.
Today, the Evian brand is owned by French company Danone, which produces approximately 6 million bottles of the mineral water every single day.
The Town Has Hosted World Leaders Before
This won’t be Evian-les-Bains’ first time on the world stage. Back in 2003, the town served as the host for a G8 summit — a time when the group still included Russia as a member. Among the leaders who attended were French President Jacques Chirac, U.S. President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
The central focus of that summit was mending relationships among the allied nations following deep divisions sparked by the start of the Iraq War.
A Golfer’s Dream Destination
For U.S. President Donald Trump, who is well known for his passion for golf, the Evian-les-Bains area presents some world-class options on the course. The Evian Resort Golf Club, perched between the shores of Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alpine peaks, features the Champions Course — a venue that dates back to 1904 and annually hosts the Amundi Evian Championship.
