Geneva

Three important personalities who called Geneva home:

The legacies of Jean Calvin, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Henri Dunant contributed to Geneva becoming a symbol of dialogue, peace and democracy.

Jena Calvin

During the time of the Reformation, Geneva became a major refuge for persecuted Protestants from throughout the continent. Attracted by the teachings of John Calvin, John Knox and Theodore de Beze, Geneva’s refugee population exploded, garnering Geneva the title “Protestant Rome”.  

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Born 1712, Rousseau was a Swiss-born philosopher, writer, and political theorist whose writings inspired the leaders of the French Revolution and the Romantic generation.

Henry Dunant

A hundred years later, Henry Dunant laid the foundation stone for the International Committee of the Red Cross, which emerged from the Geneva Convention of 1864. This agreement was expanded in the 20th century, resulting in the four pillars of international humanitarian law today: the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols.

How I learnt about Geneva

My Information for Geneva was mostly found on the VisitGeneva website. They have a section for locals to chat about their favourite spots – some places are not so well-known to visitors. So, to make it easier to discover these particular hidden gems, I have researched the highlights, condensed the details on what they are, where they are and why to go below:

Some special places in Geneva Canton . . .

Map of all places mentioned on this page . . .

Parks in and around the city

La Grange Park and the sheep

The La Grange Park is part of Geneva’s 310 hectares of green areas that represent 20% of the city territory.

Since 2014 the city of Geneva has dispensed with lawn mowers for La Grange Park, instead, they have invited some sheep into the urban environment. This initiative is part of a program called Urbanature whose purpose to bring nature back into the city. The advantage of using sheep is that they clean the park as well. This is not the only environment-friendly initiative that you will find in the park; it also offers flower-filled meadows as well as beehives.

Jardin de la Paix & Eaux-Vives Park

Big and small parks: Eaux-Vives Park offers: huge old trees, manor house, a great view of the lake and Jura mountains, is a continuation of Park de la Grange. Jardin de la Paix offers: a pool with frogs, fish and heron and is known as a peaceful place to hangout. Dogs are not allowed in this park area.

Bois-De-La-Batie

The Bois-De-La-Batie, developed in 1874, is a peaceful park offering 12 hectares of natural forest. It is close to the junction of the Rhône and Arve rivers in the neighbourhood of La Jonction.

The whole park area has been renovated. This is due to finish Spring 2021. It is due to be upgraded as follows:

A new refreshment bar will open in 2021 at the end of the work on the site of the old chalet. (The La Tour restaurant is normally open during the works).

Around a hundred new LED street lights will be installed; fitted with presence detectors, the lighting will be kept on standby and will increase as users pass.

New picnic benches and tables (in FSC-certified larch) (summer 2020) at various locations in the park.

A natural treasure, the Bois-de-la-Bâtie forest is the subject of regular maintenance by the SEVE. The objective is to ensure the sustainability of the largest wooded area in the City of Geneva.

Botanical Gardens

Botanical gardens are considered a living museum. You can find 12,000 species here.

The first botanical garden was created in 1817. Today, the Botanical Gardens and Conservatory occupy roughly 28 hectares. The garden’s herbarium – one of the world’s largest – has six million samples. The gardens invite you on a journey into the botanical world.

Further informaton can be found on the geneva website.

Lake Geneva

Photo by Xavier von Erlach on Unsplash

Mouette Boat Shuttle

You can use the bridge to cross the lake but for something a bit more relaxing after a day shopping or sightseeing, the “Mouettes genevoises”. (Genevian Gulls) shuttle boat is a better way to get across. These little yellow shuttle boats are much loved by the locals.

The Mouettes commute between 5 stops around the lake. Timetable: from 7am to 9pm, weekends and public holidays from 10am. Winter season is slightly different. See this link for up-to-date details – Mouettes Boat. Prices: The ticket is included in your public transport ticket or pass for the area. The price without ticket is: 1 crossing for adults CHF2/child CHF 1.80; 60-min Tickets Adult CHF3/child CHF2

Swimming

• Bains des Pâquis (offers legendary fondue)
• Fontenette swimming pool in Carouge.
• Les Bain de Saugy is a lakeside bathing area, out of the city near Creux de Genthod. Access is via a passageway in the Parc de Saugy, a short bike ride or run from town.

favourite food spots of the locals

Photo of Old Town Cafe by Johan Mouchet on Unsplash

COVID Restrictions – keep up to date with current restriction around indoor seating by checking out BAG (Federal Office of Public Health) website.

• FRED by Fiskebar for a great cocktail in the winter
• Auer coffee shop and Chocolatier, rue de Rive 4, Geneva 1204, historical chocolatier, (also offering good coffee).
• Molokai Fusion Poke (Asia and the tropics food bowls) and La Reserve’s healthy brunch
• Wild Girls cafe and deli – Bright and Bold healthy eating, at Bongenie Grieder Dept. Store
• La Cantinella – pizza in the Old Town
• Nagomi for authentic Japanese food in Pâquis Temple district
• Decanteur if you like Gourmet dishes
• Café Babel, Cafe du Dully and Café du Raisin – typical dishes
• MU-Food, using fresh regional products

The eateries above have been recommended by locals on Geneva city’s official website. For an further details please see the links or the tourism website.

City Districts

Quartier des Bains

Once an industrial area, Quartier des Bains has become a cultural centre – with numerous contemporary art galleries. It is now a lively and chic area to visit. “Nuit des Bains” – is an event held by contemporary art galleries three times a year. See here for more details – www.quartierdesbains.ch.

 Carouge

Close to the city centre, Carouge has been described as “the Greenwich Village” of Geneva. There is a real bohemian atmosphere to be found here with its market square, leafy streets and charming Italian architecture. Carouge was designed by Italian architects over 200 years ago, influenced by its Sardinian past. Many cafés and restaurants as well as boutique craft shops and antique dealers can be found in the alleys and passageways. At night their are plenty of trendy bars to visit. They are known to have various events, activities and markets going on during the year. Markets are run as follows:

The Place du Marché hosts markets every Wednesday and Saturday morning throughout the year. Plus night Markets on Thursday evenings from March to December. There is a Flea Market every first Sunday of the month – March to December. Over 30 shops in Carouge are also open on these Sundays – from 11am – 5pm. See this PDF brochure for further details: www.carouge.ch

Flea markets of Plaine de Plainpalais

Culture

Musée international del la Réforme – Museum with a collection of items, paintings, book and manuscripts that recount the reformation movement – a large part of Geneva’s history.

Walking possibilities – villages & wine country

Dardagny vineyards

Geneva’s vineyards offer many walks away from the noise of the city centre, such as Stéphane Gros’s little corner of paradise or the Dugerdil Estate, with their organic selection of wine (both in the Dardagny region).

Hermance

Also, on the eastern side of the lake, just north of the city, you will find the Entre Arve et Lac wine route, starting at the charming town of Hermance. This wine route takes you through some lovely Geneva countryside and offers about twenty information terminals throughout the walk. The route passes through beautiful picturesque terraces which offer delicious local wines as well as many agricultural products. Dotted with small historic villages, the walk passes through several wine estates, allowing hikers to taste their products.

Entre Arve et Lac Wine Route Details: Length: 18km Ascent/Descent: 240m/190M Hiking Time: 4h 25 mins Grade/Fitness level: easy/medium. More information can be found at Switzerland Mobility: https://www.schweizmobil.ch/fr/suisse-a-pied/itineraires/route-0105.html

Parks and Gardens Lillypad photo by: daniela-turcanu-sgRmUYvPfGE-unsplash

Parks around the city, photo of chair by: daniela-turcanu-X5ZF_SyH8M0-unsplash.jpg