Top 25 Geneva Attractions, Switzerland

If you believe the story that God once gave the land to different peoples and countries, then Swiss Geneva got one of the most picturesque places in Western Europe. The city stands on the banks of the incredible beauty of Lake Geneva. Its shores are surrounded by the mountain peaks of the Alps, and the coastal strip is an exemplary symbiosis of the harmonious life of people and nature.

Geneva is also known as the watchmaking capital of the world. Here are the manufactories for the production of the best chronometers in Switzerland, which have long become a symbol of status and prosperity. From Geneva, precious watches are delivered to the most expensive stores in the world.

Genevans were lucky to be born among magnificent nature and clean air, slopes with vineyards, alpine chalets and luxury yachts. Perhaps this is exactly what an exemplary human life should look like.

What to see and where to go in Geneva?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

lake geneva

The largest lake in Europe, located in the mountain system of the Alps. It is the border between Switzerland and France. Many figures of culture and art of the 20th century settled in this picturesque area, and now this tradition continues to exist. Around Lake Geneva there are national parks, vineyards, prestigious resorts with Michelin restaurants, archaeological sites of Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Jet d'Eau Fountain

Nowadays, the Jet d'Eau city fountain is considered a landmark and symbol of Geneva, but in the 18th century it was built for a purely practical purpose - as part of a factory hydraulic system. After such systems were no longer needed, the city authorities decided to turn the fountain into an ornament of Geneva. Now Je-Do is a jet of water escaping from Lake Geneva. The system is illuminated thanks to powerful illumination.

Broken chair

Wooden sculpture in the form of a chair with a damaged leg, installed in one of the squares of Geneva. It was created as an expression of protest against the use of anti-personnel mines, due to which people are left without limbs. The sculpture reaches a height of 12 meters. The chair was installed in 1997 at the initiative of the International Organization of the Disabled. From the very beginning, the idea received wide public resonance and support.

Place Bourg de Four

The square is located on the left bank of the Rhone River in the historic part of Geneva. In the center is a small fountain of the XVIII century. Since Antiquity, there has been a market on this site; during the Middle Ages, fugitive French Protestants gathered here. There are several cozy cafes on the square, historical districts and architectural monuments of different eras are located around.

Palace of Nations

Building 1928-1938 building, which was erected for the League of Nations - the predecessor organization of the modern UN. Until 1966, UNESCO was located on the territory of the Palais des Nations, then the building was transferred to the UN, despite the fact that Switzerland was not a member of the organization and entered there only in 2002. The palace was built in neoclassical style by a group of architects.

Geneva Museum of Art and History

The museum was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. It is the only collection in Geneva where an extensive encyclopedic collection of art objects from different eras and countries is presented. Paintings by Van Gogh and Monet are exhibited here along with ancient Egyptian artifacts. Also in the museum there are many exhibits of the Middle Ages: weapons, armor, church vestments, clothing, household items, ceramics and porcelain.

Patek Philippe Museum

Museum of one of the most elite brands of Swiss watches - "Patek Philippe S.A." Even the slogan of this company says that you cannot own their watches, but are simply the temporary custodian of such a “jewel”. A professional guide of the watch museum will lead a tour and tell you about the nuances of watchmaking, which originated in Geneva several hundred years ago, as well as show you unique pieces.

Museum of Natural History

One of the largest natural science museums in Europe, whose collection is located on four floors of an impressive building. Here you can see stuffed animals and birds, fossil skeletons, a collection of minerals, meteorite fragments and precious stones. A separate floor is allocated for an exposition telling about human evolution. The museum regularly hosts themed events.

Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

In the second half of the 19th century, A. Duran, a native of Geneva, founded the international charitable organization Red Cross. By the 100th anniversary of this event, it was decided to open a museum dedicated to the activities of the association. As a result, the museum opened only in 1988 due to long approvals. The exposition consists of documents, films, photographs, posters telling about the activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Museum of ceramics and glass "Ariana"

The collection grew out of the private collection of patron G. Revillo. It included sculptures, coins, paintings, pottery and antique stained glass windows. In 1890, the collection became the property of the city. Over time, the exhibits were moved to other museums, only glass and ceramics remained in the Ariana. Now the museum's funds contain more than 12 thousand items, the earliest of which date back to the 8th century.

Ethnographical museum

The museum was founded in 1901 with the participation of Professor E. Pittar. The exposition is divided into seven parts, which are dedicated to the cultures of America, Oceania, Europe, Africa and Asia. In terms of funds, the Ethnographic Museum is considered the second in Switzerland. The collection is housed in a modern building built in 2014, designed by T. Pulver and M. Graber. The distribution of light in the interior of the museum allows you to view all the exhibits from the most favorable side.

House Tavel

The city house of the noble Tavel family, built in the first half of the 14th century. Representatives of the family lived here until 1963, after which the building was taken over by the city authorities. After reconstruction, a museum was opened on the territory of the house. The exposition is a reconstruction of the old houses of the Genevan aristocracy. It recreates the atmosphere typical for such dwellings several centuries ago.

Arsenal

The building of the Arsenal was built in the XIV century and was first used as a city barn. During the turbulent times of the Reformation, it began to serve as an armory. In the 19th century, the Genevan authorities decided to organize an archive and a historical museum on the territory of the Arsenal, where it was planned to place valuable exhibits. In addition to the museum, the city fair is located on the territory of the building.

Molar Tower

In the XIV century, the building was part of the city fortifications. Previously, in its place was an old port with access to the sea. In the 16th century, the tower was restored and the coats of arms of famous supporters of the Reformation were applied to it. Since then, the building has been a symbol of fighters, revolutionaries and other dissenters who constantly took refuge in Geneva from the persecution of the authorities of their states.

Reformation Wall

A monument that immortalized the events of the Reformation, as a result of which national currents began to break away from a single branch of the Western Church. This happened in Germany, the Netherlands, England and other countries. The foundation of the monument was laid 400 years after the birth of one of the founders of the new doctrine - J. Calvin. The construction of the wall was completed by 1917. It depicts the figures of prominent figures of the Reformation.

Grand Theater of Geneva

Opera House built in 1879. For a long time, Geneva did not have a musical scene, as the city was influenced by the ideas of the Reformation, which denied luxury and idleness. The theater opened with a performance of G. Rossini's opera "William Tell". In the 20th century, the building was completely destroyed by fire, it was restored by 1962. The last renovation took place in 1998.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

The main city cathedral of Geneva, built on the site of early Christian churches in the 13th century. The building was erected in the Romanesque style, but over time "overgrown" with Gothic elements. In the 18th century, as a result of another restructuring, the cathedral received a classical facade. Since 1535 St. Peter's has been a Calvinist church. It became one of the first churches in Europe to adopt the ideas of the Reformation.

Notre Dame Basilica

The main Catholic church of the city, built in the XIX century. Until that time, it was not possible to build a Catholic church in the "reformist" Geneva. The Basilica is one of the places visited by pilgrims following the Way of Saint James. The architecture of the cathedral is an imitation of the Gothic style to give a resemblance to ancient Christian churches.

Holy Cross Cathedral

Orthodox church built in 1866. The history of its appearance is quite interesting - in 1862, the authorities of Geneva presented a piece of land as a gift to the Russian Empire specifically for the construction of an Orthodox church. Alexander II donated a large amount of money for the construction of the Holy Cross Cathedral, the rest of the funds were collected in a fairly short time.

Monument to the Duke of Brunswick

Monument-mausoleum dedicated to the exiled German Duke Karl of Brunswick. He fled his domain during the events of the Franco-Prussian War. The aristocrat had no heirs, so he decided to bequeath his entire fortune to Geneva if the authorities erected a worthy monument to him. The authorities agreed, since the Duke's wealth was indeed impressive. Thanks to the inherited 24 million francs, the city acquired a university building and an opera house.

Mont Blanc bridge

A bridge over the Rhone River, from where a beautiful view of the Jet d'Eau fountain, Mount Blanc - the highest point in Western Europe and Rousseau Island opens. The structure was built in 1862. The flags of all the Swiss cantons flutter along the edges of the parapets of the bridge. The place is very popular with tourists, as city attractions and famous shops are located nearby.

Botanical Garden of Geneva

The botanical garden is located near the administrative building of the UN. It contains a large variety of tropical and Mediterranean plant species. On the territory of the Botanical Garden there are several greenhouses, a small zoo with pink flamingos, a library, ponds, a playground and a cafe. The park covers an area of ​​12 hectares, several thousand plants grow in it.

Park La Grange

A country park located on the shores of Lake Geneva in the place where the very first settlements arose. The ruins of an ancient villa have been preserved on the territory of the park. La Grange is famous for its rose garden, ancient trees and chestnut alleys. The park has many areas for children, and there are also special areas for dog owners. Indigenous Genevans love to spend time in La Grange.

Bastion Park

The park is located on the site of the former city fortifications. After the liberation from the Napoleonic occupation, potatoes were planted on this site until, in 1817, O. de Candol founded the Botanical Garden here. At the beginning of the 20th century, the garden moved to another place, and the Bastion Park acquired its modern look. One of the most significant monuments of the park is the monument to the statesman Ch.P. de Rochemon, under which Switzerland declared perpetual neutrality.

flower clock

The clock is located on the territory of the English Park, which is located on the shores of Lake Geneva. The first watch was created in 1903 by the Swiss scientist C. Linnaeus, the second one appeared in 1955 in honor of the recognition of Geneva as the world center for the production of chronometers. The diameter of the dial of the flower clock is 5 meters, the plants are chosen so that the composition blooms throughout the summer.