« Pass Découverte 2007 »: Visit the St-Julien canton wisely!

Saint-Julien-en-Genevois is a town bordering the Geneva canton, and where the Rhône meanders gently along the soft countryside. This « canton» is surrounded by the Salève and Vuache Mountains, and is a land that knows how to preserve its authenticity. Helping you discover this little paradise, the St. Julien Tourism Office offers a passport that both visitors and locals can benefit from. The « Pass Découverte 2007 » lists all the participating sites and partners, and offers little bonuses, such as appetizers and desserts in the restaurants, surprises and free entrance tickets. From July 9 to August 24, 2007, you can pick up a free « sesame » in lodges or at the St. Julien and Genevois Tourism Offices, Tel +33 (0)4 50 04 71 63. www.tourisme-genevois.fr

Don't miss this!

The « Tout en Bio » market in Minzier, Saturday, August 4, 2007 (also mentioned in the Pass)

After last year's success, the « Tout en Bio » market is once again setting up trestles in the Lac Vert's pastoral setting, offering us nature's best. Sample organic products, taste water and create herbal teas. There's lots of excitement, such as games for children where they can test their knowledge on a giant snakes and ladders board, participate in a millipede contest or squeeze into trout skin. This pure moment of happiness is brought to you by the Apollon74 Association, which set up the market.

Saturday, August 4, 2007, from 10:30am to 6pm, at the Lac Vert in Minzier. Lunch available on location. Apollon74, http://www.apollon74.org. Tel + 33 (0)450 60 02 74

L'Herberie du Salève: the secrets of a magician

On the Salève hillside, Françoise has been growing 100% organic aromatic and medicinal plants since 2004. She does everything in her power to preserve the plants' active properties, scents and colours. Mallow, marigold, verbena, rosemary, chamomile, chervil and lavender are all harvested and hand-picked, dried and stored in large Kraft paper bags. Françoise now prepares delicious dishes in her newly-opened tearoom, a job she carries out meticulously and with a lot of love. Enjoy one of her pretty home-made cakes on the terrace (why deprive oneself?)!

Françoise Beytrison Route du Salève Monnetier-Mornex. Sells dried plants, herbal teas and jams. Shop and tearoom. Open from November to March, Monday to Saturday, 2:30 to 6:30pm, from April to October, Friday and Saturday, 2:30 to 6:30pm. Tel + 33 (0)450 36 55 83

Farmers' Market in Mieussy and Viuz-en-Sallaz: Allow the region to come to you!

What's new this summer, 2007: Every second and last Friday of the month, local farmers bring their goods to sell directly to you: cheese, meat, cooked-meats, fruit juice, bread, wine and honey. Enjoy fresh food from the region, and share a moment of conviviality.

Every last Friday of the month at the Domaine du Vieux Chêne in the village of Saint-Denis (Mieussy) from 4 to 6pm. Coming dates: July 17, August 24, September 28, October 26, November 30 in Mieussy,

August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9, December 14 in Viuz
Information: Irène and Henri Garin-Davet +33 (0)450 43 05 64
Helixa, Sébastien Briand +33 (0)4 50 36 63 81

Photo: OT Mieussy