| What to do in Geneva ? To visit Geneva is to discover a cosmopolitan and international Swiss city. Here are 5 essentials to do at least once in your life! |
| Originally the water jet did not have a decorative purpose but rather a solution to a technical system.
The current version, which dates from the 1950s, is 140 m high. More than 500 liters of water are expelled every second at a speed of 200 km/h. At every moment, 7 tons of water form this majestic jet!
This magnificent jet, located on the Eaux Vives pier is a must-see during a stay in Geneva. |
| The old town is one of the largest historic centers in Switzerland, which concentrates some of the most emblematic places of interest to see during a visit to Geneva. It is a pedestrian place, always nicer to enjoy the area ansd its fresh air: no need to take a car. The best way to discover this city though is to take a guided tour.
Here are some of the places not to be missed:
• Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Geneva and the Chapel of Maccabees • The Calvin College, which dates from the 16th century and is the oldest in the city • Bastions Park • The Reformers Wall • Place du Bourg-de-Four, with its fountain and numerous cafés and restaurants. • The facade of the art and history museum is superb. • The Treille promenade • Maison Tavel, the oldest private house in Geneva, now transformed into a museum • The Molard tower
For the little anecdote: the names of the streets of the city are very surprising. For example: rue du Purgatoire (Purgatory street) and rue d’Enfer (Hell street) run alongside rue de la Croix d’Or (Golden Cross street) and rue de Tous Âmes! (All Souls street) |
| Close to Lake Geneva, the English Garden is a public garden popular with tourists and locals. It is a must in the city of Geneva. In this garden you can also find the famous Flower Clock.
Note: this is the most photographed place in Geneva. It commemorates the city’s watchmaking tradition in an original way. At the northwestern end of the park, you can cross the Mont-Blanc bridge, which crosses Lake Geneva. In the summer, concerts take place in the evening in the old bandstand, enough to liven up the garden. |
| An essential place in Geneva, the Bains des Pâquis is the ideal place to swim in the heart of the city. The atmosphere is friendly, joyful and we appreciate the place thus its intergenerational side.
It is also possible to spend the day on site. Places to eat are available. As well as nautical activities and massages. What about winter ? Not a problem… Saunas, hammams, Turkish baths are really common…
The Trip My France tip: having breakfast at the Pâquis baths on the shores of Lake Geneva or enjoying a crémant fondue in the evening may be an original idea. |
| There are many possibilities for cruises on Lake Geneva departing from town at the end of the lake.
Here are a few :
• Cruises around Geneva • Night cruises: meal and trip on Lake Geneva • Many cruises to visit the surroundings of Geneva, such as Nyon, Yvoire, Lausanne or even the vineyards on the edge of the lake • Cruises on the Rhône: Departing from Geneva, it is also possible to take a mini cruise on the Rhône, as far as Verbois.
It is also possible to rent private boats (motor boats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a licence, with or without a skipper) with a pilot for a getaway on Lake Geneva. This is the ideal walk for a fun day out during your stay in Geneva. |
Here is a small selection of the city’s must-sees. Other activities are possible such as visits in different museums, attending a concert at the Victoria Hall in Geneva, going to a car show, the Geneva botanical gardens, the Broken Chair sculpture, visiting the United Nations headquarters or even discovering the typical villages and vineyards of the country.
Geneva is a great idea for an urban day trip from Chamonix or Annecy when the weather is too bad to hike in the mountains of the French Alps.
Being an international airport, Geneva is a convenient location to start or end your trip if you think of exploring the French Alps.
