Key facts
- Evian-les-Bains, France, will host the upcoming G7 summit.
- The town is located on the southern shore of Lake Geneva.
- Evian-les-Bains has a population of just under 10,000.
- The town is famous for its mineral water brand, owned by Danone.
- Evian-les-Bains previously hosted a G8 summit in 2003.
Evian-les-Bains, a small spa town in eastern France's Haute-Savoie region, has been selected to host the upcoming G7 summit. Located on the southern shore of Lake Geneva, directly across from Switzerland, the town has a population of just under 10,000.
Despite its modest size, Evian-les-Bains boasts a significant international reputation, largely due to its mineral water springs and its history of hosting major global events. The town is renowned for its thermal springs, lakeside setting, and Belle Epoque architecture. It was also the site where the "Evian Accords," which ended the Algerian War, were signed.
The town is perhaps best known globally as the source of the "Evian" mineral water brand. The water is sourced from springs filtered through glacial moraine and alpine rock layers. A French nobleman first discovered the springs in 1789, leading to the opening of the first thermal spa in 1826. The Evian brand is currently owned by the French company Danone, which produces approximately six million bottles daily.
Evian-les-Bains has a history of hosting high-profile international meetings. In 2003, it hosted a G8 summit, which included Russia at the time. Leaders such as France's President Jacques Chirac, U.S. President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Russia's President Vladimir Putin, and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder were in attendance. The primary focus of the 2003 summit was reconciliation among leaders in the aftermath of the Iraq War.
For golf enthusiasts, the area surrounding Evian-les-Bains offers notable courses. The Evian Resort Golf Club features the Champions Course, which hosts the annual Amundi Evian Championship and dates back to 1904.