Geneva City Guide
Geneva is set on the banks of Lake Geneva, and is Switzerland's second largest city. Geneva is an international city - home to multinational organisations such as the Red Cross and the United Nations, and world famous for watch and clock making. Visit the museums, wander around the cobbled streets in the old town, take a boat out on the Lake, or enjoy International cuisine
Geneva is just under 4 hours from Paris by train.
What to do and see in and around Geneva
Lake Geneva
You can't miss the enormous "Jet d’Eau" in Lake Geneva, between April and September the fountain shoots water nearly 500 feet in the air! Enjoy a peaceful walk along the banks, or take a boat out on the Lake.
Jardin Anglais & Flower Clock
The Flower Clock in Jardin Anglais was created in 1955, and over 6000 flowers are replanted every season. There are several fountains scattered throughout the gardens and walk up to the terraces for views over the harbour.
Musée d'Art et d'Histoire
The Musée d'Art et d'Histoire is one of the most important museums in Geneva. The museum contains works and objects from across Western Europe - under Archeology, Fine Arts and Applied Arts from Prehistoric to the 20th century. Look out for works by Monet, Cézanne, Renoir, and Van Gogh.
Le Musée de l'horlogerie (Watch Museum)
Geneva is famous for watch and clock making - the museum is set in an 1840 town house Villa "Bryn Bella". The museum traces the history of watch and clock making and contains a collection dating from the 17th century.
Please note this museum is currently closed.
MAMCO (Modern Art Museum)
Geneva's Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art was opened in 1994. The collection contains around 300 art works from the last 40 years, including installations, videos, paintings, photographs, and sculptures. The museum also hosts a series of exhibitions throughout the year.
Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge
(International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum)
The Red Cross was founded in Geneva by Henry Dunant. The museum traces the history of the organisation from the 19th century to its current works, through a permanent exhibition of photos, films, objects and documents displayed through audio-visual recordings, and on computer terminals. The museum also hosts a series of topical temporary exhibitions.
Palais des Nations
Opposite the Red Cross Museum is the Palais des Nations - home of the United Nations. The Palais des Nations was built between 1929 and 1936 and is set in the 25 hectare Ariana Park - look out for peacocks wandering freely in the park grounds. Guided tours of the buildings are available, and there is an art collection including works donated by Member States.
Maison Tavel
Maison Tavel was built in the 14th century, and houses a museum of the history and daily life of Geneva. The collection includes drawings, engravings and photographs, coins, furniture and silverware from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Plus a scale model of Geneva in 1850.
Vieux Vielle (Old Town) & Cathédrale de Saint-Pierre
Explore the Old Town area of Geneva on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) with its winding cobbled streets, art galleries, antiques and book shops, and charming cafés. Also in the Old Town area is Cathédrale de Saint-Pierre, take the stairs to the top of the North tower for views over Geneva.
Carouge District
The Carouge was founded by Duke of Savoy in the 18th century, and was originally a separate town - although it is now a suburb of Geneva. The Carouge was designed by Piedmont architects and features tree-lined squares, pastel buildings and charming streets.
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