Geneva

Eaux-Vives

While many of Geneva's buildings are similar in style to what you would find in French cities, the Mairie of Eaux-Vives is a great example of the typical Swiss architecture you would find in cities like Zürich. If you're interested in modern architecture, also visit Rue Saint-Laurent for "La Clarté", an avant-garde building designed by Le Corbusier in 1931/32. Another interesting attraction here is the Russian Orthodox Church built 1859-1866 with its golden cupolas.

Place Neuve
Place Neuve

See the impressive Grand Theatre 1879, renovated after a fire in 1951, the Conservatoire de musique, and the Musée Rath. Also visit the Parc des Bastions, which includes a large wall "Mur des Réformateurs" showing some of the famous people of the Reformation movement.

Jardin anglais
Quai du Général Guisan
Free

Small garden at the lake where people like to spend their lunch break. See the famous Flower Clock.

Carouge
Carouge

A suburb of Geneva that once belonged to the Kingdom of Sardinia and hence retains a distinct Italian flavour.

Jet d'Eau
the Rade
Free
daily 10AM-11PM
visible from most of the Lac Léman waterfront

One of the crowning symbols of Geneva is the monumental Jet d'Eau, a fountain of water pumped 140m into the air. The spectacular plume was once an occasional pressure release for hydro-power generation on the Rhône River, but people liked it so much that in 1891 the city created a permanent pumped fountain. It's beautifully lit at night. Best viewed from a distance — the surrounding half kilometer is soaked with water. However, the more adventurous might want to try the pathway leading right up to the Jet d'eau -- prepare to get enjoyably wet!

Cathédrale St-Pierre
Place St. Pierre
Adults 16CHF (Seniors, Disabled, Students aged 16-25, and groups of more than 15 qualify for a 10CHF pass, children aged 7-16 qualify for an 8CHF pass. Entry to the church itself is free, of course, but donations are welcome.)
Jun-Sep, M-Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 11AM-7PM; Oct-May, M-Sa 10AM-noon and 2PM-5PM, Su 11AM-12:30PM and 1:30PM-5PM
At the highest point in the Old Town

The new Espace Saint Pierre pass includes entrance to all three sites of Cour Saint-Pierre, a noteworthy space of unique spiritual and cultural importance. The Cathedral and its towers, originally Catholic, both embody the high point of the Reformed tradition and explore the origins of Christianity with an extensive archaeological site and they are now complemented by the International Museum of the Reformation on the ground floor of the Maison Mallet. An underground passage, reopened when the Museum was created, connects the two buildings. The archeological tour (http://www.geneve-tourism...) beneath the cathedral is excellent for those interested in such material and it explains the origins not only of the cathedral but the reason for Geneva's location back to pre-Roman times. Those willing to climb the steps of the Cathedral's towers will be rewarded with magnificent views of Geneva and the lake. Nearby, the Auditoire, where Calvin taught, completes a complex that is both representative of the past and open to current questions. The new Espace Saint-Pierre thus aims to contribute to our understanding of today’s world – between tradition and modernity, cultural experimentation and spiritual practice. These three buildings invite the visitor to explore the city’s history. Religious denominations aside, Espace Saint Pierre represents a spirit that continues to guide the city and citizens of Geneva today. For schedules and information about free live organ performances in the cathedral, go to the website (http://www.concerts-cathe...)

L'Ile
Quai des Moulins 12
Free

Worth visiting for the old Tour de L'Ile, the remains of a fortified castle erected in the 13th century. Very good.

Palais des Nations
14, Avenue de la Paix
+41-22-917 48 96
12CHF each for adults. (groups of 20 adults or more qualify for a 20% discount; private tour of 1-14 adults 127.50CHF; 10CHF each for students, senior citizens, and disabled persons; 4CHF for schoolchildren; free for children under six years old). Passports are required for entry
Open daily Apr-Oct 10AM-noon and 2PM-4PM; Jul-Aug 10AM-5PM; the rest of the year M-F 10AM-noon and 2PM-4PM (except over the Christmas period)
Number 8 bus, stop at Appia

Originally built to house the League of Nations, the Palais is worth visiting just to take in the magnificent Assembly Hall, in addition to the large collection of public art, the library, and the landscaped grounds.

Monument Brunswick
Quai du Mont-Blanc
Free

An impressive monument, constructed in 1873 as a Mausoleum for the Duke of Brunswick, as a replica of the tomb of the Scaligeri family in Verona 14th century. Also worth visiting for the 5 star hotels and the cars in front of them.

Ile Rousseau
Pont des Bergues
Free

Small island named after the famous philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Quartier des Grottes
Place des Grottes
Free
north of Gare Cornavin

An area with interesting shops and most importantly, a series of residential buildings called "les Schtroumpfs" 1982-1984, where the architects tried to avoid all straight lines, leading to an unconventional Gaudi-like appearance.

Museums and galleries

museums and galleries
Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain
Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 10
+41 22 320 61 22
8CHF
Tu-F Noon-6PM. Sa-Su 11AM-6PM
Number 1 bus to Ecole des Medécins

Late modern, post-modern, and contemporary works by internationally known artists, as well as a special collection of Swiss conceptual work.

museums and galleries
Musée d'Art et d'Histoire
Rue Charles-Galland 2
022 418 26 00
Free, except special exhibits
Tu-Su 10AM-5PM

Extensive art and archaeological-historical collections. Painting gallery extends back to the early Renaissance, but is most extensive in Swiss-French and Impressionist works.

museums and galleries
Musée d'Histoire Naturelle
Route de Malagnou 1
+41 22 418 63 00
Free
Tu-Su 9:30AM-5PM
Bus 1-8 (arrêts Tranchées & Muséum) 20-27 (arrêt Muséum), trams 12-16 (arrêt Villereuse)

Geneva has a nice museum which is worth a visit, especially if you have youth and children.

museums and galleries
Musée ARIANA
Avenue de la Paix 10
+41 22 418 54 50
8CHF
Open daily (except Tuesdays) 11AM-5PM
About midway between Place des Nations and the entrances to the Palais and the I.C.R.C

Occupying a big chunk of what would otherwise be the UN campus, the Ariana Museum offers a huge collection 16,000 pieces of ceramics from around Europe and the far East.

museums and galleries
International Museum of the Reformation
4, rue du Cloître
+ 41 22 310 24 31
10CHF for Adults; Seniors, Disabled, Students from 16-25 years old qualify for a 7CHF admission fee; Children age 7-16 years old and groups of 15 or more qualify for a 5CHF admission fee; Children under 7 are free. For another 3CHF, you can explore the archaeological site beneath the cathedral and climb the tower inside the cathedral, which has some amazing views of the city
Open daily, except Monday, from 10AM-5PM. Closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and on 1 January. Open Easter, Pentecost, and Jeune Federal Mondays. Access for disabled visitors.
Bus n° 36 to Cathédrale/ Bus n° 2, 7, 20, stop Molard/ Tram 12, 16, stop Molard

Installed on the ground floor of the magnificent Maison Mallet next to Saint-Pierre Cathedral, this new Museum presents the main spiritual and cultural elements of the Reformation. Unique objects, manuscripts, rare books, engravings, and paintings illustrate the close ties between Geneva and the Reformation. State-of-the-art technology welcomes a modern audience: films, a music room, and demonstrations, including many for children, invite visitors to both rediscover the past and imagine the future.

museums and galleries
Museum of the International Committee of the Red Cross
17, Avenue de la Paix
+ 41 22 748 95 25
10CHF for Adults. Children, I.C.R.C. members, the elderly, and others qualify for a 5CHF admission fee
Open Daily, except Wednesday, from 10AM-5PM. Closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and on 1 January. Access for disabled visitors.
8, F, V, or Z bus to Appia 1.80CHF from the central station

The Museum of the I.C.R.C. is one of the best in Europe, providing detailed photographic and other physical evidence of the I.C.R.C.'s service to humanity during countless wars and natural disasters. The displays are striking and affecting, but somehow manage to avoid taking sides. Currently closed until 2013 for Renovation