Geneva
Fly here
International city at the far end of Lake Geneva, with the Jet d'Eau, the UN and watchmaking.
From the basket
Where Lake Geneva narrows back into a river, Geneva sits in a basin ringed by mountains: the Jura to the north-west, the Salève to the south-east. From the balloon you can see the Rhône slip out of the lake and run through the city, then, a little further on, meet the greyer Arve, which comes down from the glaciers of Savoy. The two waters flow side by side for a while without mixing.
In the harbour, a white plume rises to a hundred and forty metres: the giant fountain, planted at the end of its pier. At first it was only a safety valve. The city’s hydraulic plant, commissioned in 1886, suffered pressure surges at the end of the day, when the workshops shut down their machines; the surplus water was simply allowed to shoot into the air. Since 1891 the jet has been the emblem of the city.
On the hill, the old town packs its streets around the cathedral. In the nineteenth century the fortifications were pulled down, and the city spilled out on both sides of the river. On the night of the Escalade, in 1602, the people of Geneva beat back a surprise attack by the Duke of Savoy, a memory they still celebrate every December.
Fly over the harbour from Pâquis to Eaux-Vives, then let the wind carry you above the Rhône, towards the meeting of the two rivers.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Genève” (in French).
All around
- Lake Geneva, close by, to the north-east
To discover around Geneva
Bastions Park
Parc des Bastions is a wonderful park in the heart of Geneva. Along its shady avenues, you can find some of the city’s most beautiful monuments, including the well-known Reformation Wall. The giant chessboards that are regularly used by the locals will immediately catch your eye.
Crest Castle
Ten years ago the region started to revive the old tradition of viticulture and has produced its own wine ever since.
Down by the riverside
A new, natural look for the city: a fascinating riverscape opens up by the Sous-Terre bridge, in the heart of Geneva.
Grand Théâtre
Geneva's Opera, a world renowned institution. A splendid opera house inspired by the architecture of the Parisian Palais Garnier, with top-notch programming for demanding music lovers.
Mouettes
The Mouettes (seagulls) are the small yellow water taxis that facilitate easy transport around Geneva. Throughout the year, four lines offer return trips linking both banks of Lake Geneva.
Old Town of Geneva
Discover Geneva's old town – the Vieille Ville. Walk through cobblestone alleys, climb the tower of the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre and explore the Place du Bourg-de-Four, the oldest square in the city.
Pont et Tour de l’Ile
Le Pont de l’Ile is what made Geneva a major crossroads for European trade. The history of this strategic site confirms that Geneva, often coveted by is neighbours over the centuries, was always set apart by its tenacity.
Rousseau
Formerly known as the Island of the Boats, Rousseau Island owes its current name to its imposing bronze statue, erected in honor of the famous philosopher of the Enlightenment in 1835
Source: Switzerland Tourism — myswitzerland.com, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.