Located at the bottom of the dent d’Oche, Bernex is a small and relaxing village-resort. It is home to only 850 residents and it has an altitude of 1000m. The wider municipality of the area is home to around 5,000 residents.
This is a very rural and scenic area, offering a peaceful and beautiful holiday location for any time of the year. Across Bernex, the landscape is covered with rolling fields and deep forests and orchards, providing the most magical setting.
In terms of location, the municipality is situated on the left bank of the Rhone River. It is made up of seven villages and the hamlets of Sezenove, Challoux, Cressy, Lully, Loex, and Chevres. You can expect the most stunning views at the peaks of Bernex, enabling you to see the Leman area and towards Mont-Blanc. You are also only 21 km away from Thonon-les-Bains and 13 km away from Evian-Les-Bains.
Living in Bernex and things to do
Living in Bernex means a peaceful and serene way of life, but it is by no means boring. There are still plenty of things to do in Bernex.
The ski season in Bernex begins fairly early, with The Downhill Ski Area Bernex Dent D’Oche opening in mid-December and closing at the end of March. This area features 20 slopes and an altitude of 1000 / 1960 m. There are nine drag lifts and three chairlifts here, with children under the age of five and seniors over the age of 70 benefitting from a free ski pass.
You also have the Nordic Ski Area Bernex Dent D’Oche, which opens a week later. It features 7.5 km of slopes, and there are lots of other things to do here too. There is a skating rink, fitness centre, bowling alley, bookshop, paragliding and much more.
In 2017, total snowfall amounted to 90 cm. The max base depth was 115 cm with the average falling at 17 cm. There were 12 days of snowfall in total, and the biggest snowfall was 15 cm. In terms of the average Bernex weather report, you can expect lows of -2 in the winter and highs of 11. For the summer, there are lows of 10 and highs of 26. Rainfall is pretty consistent throughout the year, with around 7 to 10 days of rain per month. Take a look at our Bernex resort guide for a detailed snow and weather report here.
Bernex and culture
There is a lot to love about this element of the village and the surrounding areas. There is a great emphasis placed on local produce, and you can enjoy the Bernex Market, as well as a number of vineyards and winemakers in the region.
There are also lots of cultural activities that take place, including the Recontres Musicales de Bernex, which is a meeting place for lovers of folk, pop, rock, country, blues, and jazz music. There is also the Mercredi du Conte, a festival set up by the Commune of Bernex to provide a supervised activity every Wednesday for the children of Bernex. This covers both educational and cultural activities indoor and outdoor.
Investment potential In Bernex
The investment potential in Bernex is huge, due to properties being available at excellent rates. You can expect to spend anything from 300,000 to 600,000 EUR for one of the lavish and modern ski chalets, with majestic views and exceptional locations close to the slopes and lifts.
The economy is also doing well in Bernex with the unemployment rate being under 3.6 per cent - which is well below the worldwide average. When you consider the area’s close proximity to other popular spots in France and Switzerland, it is not hard to see why buying a property in Bernex comes so highly recommended.
Transport to Bernex
The nearest airport to Bernex is Geneva, which is situated 44 km away. You then have Sion Airport, which is 54 km from Bernex. Once you arrive at the airport, you will be able to get to Bernex via hire car or by using one of the bus or shuttle services. The bus from Geneva to Bernex is typically the cheapest option and allows you to take in the scenery of the surrounding area as you make your way up to the resort.
With breath-taking views and year-round activities, as well as excellent ski opportunities, Bernex establishes itself as a peaceful, upcoming ski resort full of culture and a sense of community. Take a look at our ski properties in Bernex below, or contact us for any questions here.
Jan 02, 2024
