What to see, where to eat and what to bring from one of the most famous cities in Switzerland.
Geneva attracts with its coziness and tranquility, luxury shops and excellent infrastructure, many parks and clean mountain air. This is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and today I will tell you what is worth seeing and doing in Geneva.
1. Get wet under the fountain Zhe-d "O
The main pride of the city and its business card is the Fountain Zhe-d "O. It throws out 500 liters of water per second to a height of 147 meters. meters).
The fountain is illuminated by 12 floodlights that turn off at night. The fountain itself is turned off only in case of strong wind, and when the temperature drops below 2 C.
Photo: Anastasia Fomchina
2. Walk along the embankment.
You can't imagine a better place to explore the city than the embankment along Lake Geneva! In good weather, you can see the peak of Mont Blanc from here.
Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Tyutchev, Karamzin, Herzen lived not far from the embankment at different times. There is an Orthodox church nearby.
3. Walk through the best boutiques in the world
On the main streets of the city (Rue du Rive, Rue du Rone) you can find shops of the best and most famous European brands. There are also bookstores with unique, sometimes facsimile editions.
Here you can find famous Swiss watches, jewelry and much more.
4. Walk around the entire historic center
The historic center of Geneva is compact. The main attraction of the city is St. Peter's Cathedral. This cathedral is to Protestants what St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome is to Catholics. Next to the cathedral is the City Hall (the Geneva Convention of the Red Cross was signed here) with rows of souvenir shops and galleries.
Photo: Anastasia Fomchina
Nearby there is a beautiful park of bastions, New Square, the Opera House, the Conservatory. A circus tent is often set up on Plenaple Square, and on Saturdays from 7 am to lunchtime there is a flea market.
Photo: Anastasia Fomchina
5. Go on an excursion to the UN or the Red Cross
Several international organizations are located on the right bank of the Rhone River: the UN, the Red Cross, the Human Rights Committee, the International Work Center and other organizations. Some of them offer guided tours. So, in the UN Palace you can see the Assembly Hall and the Hall of Lost Steps, see how the meeting is going.
Photo: Anastasia Fomchina
UN address: Ariana, Palais des Nations, Geneva. +41 22 917 12 34 http://www.unog.ch/
The Red Cross has an exhibition that tells about natural disasters and wars that have occurred in recent times, as well as the assistance provided through this organization.
Red Cross address: Av. de la Paix 17, Geneva. +41 22 748 95 11 http://www.redcrossmuseum.ch/en/
6. Try local cuisine.
One of the most famous dishes in Switzerland, traditionally served for breakfast, is Roesti. Resti is made from potatoes boiled in their skins, which are then grated and fried until golden brown. Bacon, tomatoes, paprika, Gruyere cheese are added to the potatoes. Previously, brides were chosen based on how she cooks the resti.
Another popular dish in Geneva is perch fillet in lemon-cream sauce with potatoes. Local wines go well with the dish. And, of course, fondue! There are cheese, chocolate, Chinese, Burgundy fondue ...
7. Sunbathe on the Geneva beach.
The city is surrounded by the famous Lake Geneva, so it is not surprising that there are several beaches within the city limits. The city's most important beach has been open to the public since the 1930s. The beach has been greatly improved. Now you can go water skiing or sign up for Zumba lessons - there are many entertainment options for every taste.
8. Synchronize watches.
Another popular attraction in Geneva, near which there is a line of people who want to take pictures, is a watch made of flowers with the largest second hand in the world. The boom is 2.5 meters long and has a total diameter of five.
The flower clock is located in the English park next to the Mont Blanc bridge.
9. Look at the Large Hadron Collider.
In Geneva, there is a place where the Internet appeared and the Large Hadron Collider is located. This is the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN), which is located near the city. CERN offers guided tours of the Rolex-sponsored exhibit, showing the operating laboratories and how experiments are carried out.
CERN is located at Route de Meyrin, Meyrin. Phone: +41 22 767 76 76. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10.30.
10. Go to neighboring cities.
Several pearls of the Swiss Riviera are located on the shores of Lake Geneva. One of them is the small town of Montreux. Every summer jazz festivals are held here, musicians and artists from all over the world come here.
Famous artists, writers, composers also lived in Montreux: Vladimir Nabokov, Oscar Kokoschka, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, etc. And on the bank of Montreux, on a small island, there is another attraction of Switzerland - Chillon Castle.
How to save:
- in Geneva hotels, each guest can get a free pass for urban transport, including water transport.
- for 4 hours, you can take a bike for free and ride around the city, however, you will need to leave a deposit of 20 francs. Geneva Roule bike rentals are located throughout the city. http://www.geneveroule.ch
- you can get from Geneva airport to the city completely free of charge. In the baggage claim area, there are Free Tickets vending machines that issue free tickets for public transport to Geneva.
Where to eat:
- Cafe du Soleil- This old café in the UN Quarter serves the finest fondue. The cost of the dish is 24 francs. Cafe address: 6 Place du Petit-Saconnex, +412 2733 3417, http:// www. cafedusoleil. ch/ site/ fr/
- Cafe de Paris - there is a legendary cafe just a stone's throw from the station: it was there that the famous entrecote sauce was invented. The cost of the dish is 42.5 francs
Address: rue du Mont-Blanc 26 +4122 732 84 50 http://geneve.chezboubier.com/en/
- Relais de L "Entrecôte - there are always queues at this restaurant, and all because of the secret recipe for cooking incredibly delicious meat here. Entrecote, as in the previous place, is served with fries and salad. The dish costs 45 francs. ...
Address: 6 Rue Pierre Fatio, +412 2310 6004, http://relaisennr.cluster011.ovh.net/?page_id=392
What to bring:
- Viande des Grisons (or "Bunden meat") is the country's national culinary pride. The meat is preliminarily smeared with salt and spices from alpine herbs, and then dried in several stages, preserving all the useful substances. Meat can be bought sliced or whole. A kilogram costs from 50 francs.
- Swiss cheese or fondue set (can be found in any supermarket in the dairy section). Among Swiss cheeses, the following are popular: vashrain friborgois, gruyere, emmenthal, etc. You can buy cheese both in the supermarket (the cheapest COOP and Migros) and on the market.
- Chocolate. To appreciate the full flavor palette of chocolate, it is better to buy handmade products. The most delicious chocolate is sold at Du Rhône Chocolatier and for the best truffles you should go to Confiserie Ducret.
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Geneva and its attractions can hardly be called striking the imagination of the traveler. But, despite the fact that the city cannot boast of any particularly stunning architectural monuments and a huge number of interesting places, this is a very pleasant, Swiss respectable place.
The main city of the eponymous Canton of Geneva, which is often confused with the Swiss capital - Bern - because of its important political and economic status in the country, is located on Lake Leman, or Lake Geneva. Agglomeration "Greater Geneva" includes not only the population of Geneva, but also the adjacent territories - Swiss and French.
Geneva Airport Cointrin is located on the border of the two countries and has two exits, so on arrival you can go to both "France" and "Switzerland". Considering that the airport is located only four kilometers from the center, and in it, in a special machine, everyone is given a free ticket to get to the main train station in Geneva - this is a great chance to get to know the city, for example, during a connection, if you fly through it to where something else.
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The main attractions of Geneva:
The center of attraction in the city is, of course, Lake Geneva and the historic center (small Old Town), located around the embankment. The part of the lake that adjoins the Old Town is called "le petit lak", that is, a small lake. If you arrived by plane, then by train from the airport you will get to the Cornavin Main Station, which is located just five minutes from the embankment.
- 1. Fountain Same d'Eau (Geneva Fountain), gushing from the middle of the lake, is visible from many points of the city, it throws a stream of water 140 meters high (the speed of the water exit is 200 km / h) and is one of the symbols of Geneva. It is very beautiful in the evening with illumination, and also an impressive view of the fountain from the plane during takeoff and landing in Geneva. When it is turned off from time to time (for a short time), you can walk along the pier past this fountain and actually find yourself in the middle of that part of the lake, which is framed by the city embankment.
- The Geneva fountain appeared in 1886 and participated in the water supply of the city, and in 1891 it was moved closer to the embankment for the pleasure of the townspeople. The same d'O was for a long time one of the tallest in the world, but then competitors were bypassed - a 312-meter fountain in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and a 202-meter fountain in Seoul, built for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
In this photo, there are two whole attractions - the Geneva Fountain and Mont Blanc on the horizon.
- 2. English Garden and Flower Clock (Jardin Anglais). This small park (it would even be more correct to say - a park area) on the embankment and opposite the Old Town of Geneva. Since watches are the main pride and old brand of Switzerland, original watches made of flowers appeared here in 1955. A special staff monitors the work of the clock mechanism and the state of the plants; you can see flower flowers at any time of the year, even in winter (cold-resistant varieties are used). The diameter of the watch is 5 meters, the length of the hand is 2.5 meters.
Flower clock, Geneva
In winter ...
- ... And in the summer
- 3. On the embankment of Mont Blanc, between two old hotels (Beau-Rivage and Hotel de la Paix), there is an eye-catching pavilion - the mausoleum of the strange and unmerited Duke Charles II of Braunschweig ( Monument brunswick). But he bequeathed a huge fortune to Geneva with the condition to bury it in the best place, in a crypt on a dais. This was done, and now this building in the park, which does not fit well into the surrounding architectural landscape (a cross between a French pavilion and an Egyptian sarcophagus), evokes constant interest and sometimes bewilderment of tourists.
- 4. Geneva old town not very big and it won't take much time to walk along it. Among the interesting sights is an impressive Geneva Cathedral (or St. Peter's), which combines several architectural styles (Romanesque, Classicism, Gothic and some other elements) and looks monumental because of the Romanesque columns. Until the 16th century, St. Peter's Basilica was Catholic, but from 1535 it became one of the first Protestant churches in Europe. This was reflected in its ascetic decoration, in addition, pay attention to the chair of the famous John Calvin, church reformer and founder of Calvinism.
- Small and cozy Bourg-de-Four square with a fountain in the middle, the Old Town is filled with several very touristy restaurants.
- If you go from the square to street Hotel de Ville up, then you will get to the building of the city Arsenal, which today houses the Museum, the city archive and a solid exposition of weapons. The Tavel House (the oldest house in Geneva), with the City Museum inside, and the Town Hall are also located here.
- Having turned around in the Old Town, you can look at the Jet d'Eau fountain from the height of the Geneva Cathedral or from one of the sites, and then, if you have time, go through it right through to Bastion Park, where there are also several monuments, for example, the Wall of the Reformers. Here you can also see a long 126-meter bench and huge chess pieces used by the townspeople to play games.
- Although I would still recommend stopping by the European headquarters of the United Nations and looking at a very impressive monument - wooden 12 meter disabled chair located in the Place des Nations right in front of the UN building. A giant chair on three normal legs and one severed leg rises in the middle of an idyllic plaza with fountains and moms strolling peacefully with strollers. The "three-legged" chair symbolizes the victims of antipersonnel mines who are left without limbs around the world in places of mining and hostilities - past or ongoing. "Memento mori" - as if this monument speaks to you among the Swiss atmosphere of prosperity and comfort, and makes you think not only about the unfortunate victims of antipersonnel mines, but also about the powerlessness of the "united nations" in the fight against the universal evil - wars.
- How to get to the "three-legged chair": If the Old Town of Geneva is located next to the embankment, then you will have to walk a little to the Palais des Nations and the Place des Nations. If you walk along the Quai Mont-Blanc along the lake (the Old Town should be behind you), you will find yourself on the Quai Wilson. On the way, you will pass several old and beautiful Geneva hotels and come out to the Park Mon Repos. From the Wilson embankment, you need to turn left - onto Avenu de France. This street will lead you to the Place des Nations, the UN Palace and the aforementioned chair. You don't have to walk along Av.de France, but drive up a few stops on tram number 15.
- In the summertime, you can go to one of the city's beaches in Geneva and feel like a Swiss on vacation. The atmosphere of calmness and tranquility in this city, as, indeed, in other cities of Switzerland, delays with incredible force: you want to endlessly walk along the embankment, admire the fountain and feed the gullible Geneva swans.
- Swans ask for cleanliness and not poison the environment
- More photos of sights of Geneva
- View of the old town of Geneva from the lake
- Here you will not be allowed to forget for a minute what brands Switzerland is famous for.
The mixing of styles at different times during the construction and reconstruction of the Geneva Cathedral is especially evident in these photographs. It's rare even in Europe to find such an eclectic structure.
These are not all the sights of the city, but the main ones, which are easy to get around in a couple of hours. If you are not a fan of administrative buildings and do not have much time for Geneva, then you can skip the right bank of the Rhone River, where the headquarters of the main international structures - the UN, the Red Cross, the WTO and others - are located.
If you believe the story that God once distributed land to different nations and countries, then Swiss Geneva got one of the most picturesque places in Western Europe. The city stands on the shores of the incredible beauty of Lake Geneva. Its shores are surrounded by 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 world capital of watchmaking. 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.
The citizens of Geneva were lucky to be born among magnificent nature and clean air, slopes with vineyards, alpine chalets and luxurious yachts. This is probably how exemplary human life should look like.
The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.
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What to see and where to go in Geneva?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
1. Lake Geneva
The largest lake in Europe, located in the mountain system of the Alps. The border of Switzerland and France runs along it. Many cultural and artistic figures of the 20th century settled in this picturesque area, now this tradition continues to exist. Around Lake Geneva there are national parks, vineyards, prestigious resorts with Michelin-starred restaurants, archaeological sites of Antiquity and the Middle Ages.
2. The Same-Do Fountain
Nowadays, the city fountain Je-Deau 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 the need for such systems disappeared, the city authorities decided to turn the fountain into a decoration of Geneva. Now Zhe-Do is a stream of water escaping from Lake Geneva. The system is illuminated thanks to powerful illumination.
3. 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, which leave people without limbs. The sculpture is 12 meters high. The chair was installed in 1997 at the initiative of the International Organization of Persons with Disabilities. From the very beginning, the idea received a wide public response and support.
4. Bourg-de-Fours square
The square is located on the left bank of the Rhone river in the historic part of Geneva. In the center there is a small fountain from the 18th century. Since the days of Antiquity, this place has been a market; 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.
5. Palais des Nations
Building 1928-1938 buildings that were 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 only joined in 2002. The palace was built in the neoclassical style according to the project of a group of architects.
6. Geneva Museum of Art and History
The museum was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. It is the only collection in Geneva that presents an extensive encyclopedic collection of art from different eras and countries. Here, paintings by Van Gogh and Monet are exhibited along with ancient Egyptian artifacts. Also in the museum there are many exhibits from the Middle Ages: weapons, armor, church vestments, clothing, household items, ceramics and porcelain.
7. 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 watch, but simply are the temporary custodian of such a "jewel". A professional watch museum guide will lead a tour and tell you about the nuances of watchmaking, which originated in Geneva several hundred years ago, and also show you unique pieces.
8. Natural History Museum
One of the largest natural science museums in Europe, whose collection is spread over four floors of an imposing 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 thematic events.
9. Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
In the second half of the 19th century, a native of Geneva, A. Durand 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 negotiations. The exposition consists of documents, films, photographs, posters describing the activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
10. Museum of ceramics and glass "Ariana"
The collection grew out of the private collection of the patron G. Revillau. 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 moved to other museums, and only glass and ceramics remained in Ariana. Now in the museum funds are stored more than 12 thousand items, the earliest of which date back to the 8th century.
11. Ethnographic 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 advantageous side.
12. House Tavel
The town 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 transferred to 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 Geneva aristocracy. The atmosphere was recreated here, typical for similar dwellings several centuries ago.
13. Arsenal
The Arsenal building was built in the 14th 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 Geneva 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 building houses a city fair.
14. Tower Molar
In the XIV century, the building was part of the system of city fortifications. Earlier in its place there 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 put on it. Since then, the building has been a symbol of fighters, revolutionaries and other dissidents who constantly took refuge in Geneva from the persecution of the authorities of their states.
15. Wall of the Reformation
A monument that perpetuated the events of the Reformation, as a result of which national currents began to split off 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 teaching - J. Calvin. The construction of the wall was completed by 1917. It depicts the figures of prominent figures of the Reformation.
16.Geneva's Bolshoi Theater
Opera House, built in 1879. For a long time, Geneva did not have a music scene, as the city was influenced by the ideas of the Reformation, which denied luxury and indolence. The theater opened with a production of the opera "William Tell" by G. Rossini. In the XX century, the building was completely destroyed by fire, it was restored by 1962. The last renovation was carried out in 1998.
17. St. Peter's Basilica
Geneva's main cathedral, built on the site of early Christian churches in the 13th century. The building was erected in the Romanesque style, but over time it was "overgrown" with Gothic elements. In the 18th century, as a result of another restructuring, a classic facade appeared at the cathedral. Since 1535, St. Peter's Basilica has been a Calvinist church. He became one of the first churches in Europe to adopt the ideas of the Reformation.
18. Basilica of Notre Dame
The main Catholic church in the city, built in the 19th century. Until that time, it was not possible to build a Catholic church in "reformist" Geneva. The Basilica is one of the places visited by pilgrims following the Way of St. James. The architecture of the cathedral is an imitation of the Gothic style to make it look like old Christian churches.
19. Holy Cross Cathedral
Orthodox church, erected in 1866. The history of its appearance is quite interesting - in 1862, the Geneva authorities presented a plot of land as a gift to the Russian Empire for the construction of an Orthodox church. A large sum of money for the construction of the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross was donated by Alexander II, the rest of the funds were collected in a fairly short time.
20. Monument to the Duke of Brunswick
Monument-mausoleum dedicated to the exiled German Duke Karl of Braunschweig. He fled from his possessions during the events of the Franco-Prussian War. The aristocrat had no heirs, so he decided to bequeath all his fortune to Geneva, if the authorities erect a worthy monument to him. The authorities agreed, since the duke's wealth was truly impressive. Thanks to the inherited 24 million francs, the city acquired a university building and an opera house.
21. Mont Blanc Bridge
A bridge over the Rhone River, from where you can see a beautiful view of the Jetau fountain, Mont Blanc - the highest point in Western Europe and the island of Rousseau. The structure was completed in 1862. The flags of all 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.
22. Botanical Garden of Geneva
The botanical garden is located near the UN office building. It contains a great 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, and several thousand plants grow in it.
23. Park La Grange
Country park located on the shores of Lake Geneva in the place where the very first settlements arose. The ruins of an antique villa have been preserved in the park. La Grange is famous for its rose garden, century-old trees and chestnut avenues. The park has many areas for children, as well as special areas for dog owners. Indigenous Geneva people love to spend time in La Grange.
24. Bastion Park
The park is located on the site of the former city fortifications. After the liberation from the Napoleonic occupation, potatoes were planted in this place, until in 1817 O. de Candol founded the Botanical Garden here. At the beginning of the 20th century, the garden moved to another location, and the Bastion Park acquired its modern look. One of the most significant monuments in the park is the monument to the statesman Ch.P. de Rochemond, at which Switzerland declared eternal neutrality.
25. Flower Clock
The clock is located in the English Park, which is located on the shores of Lake Geneva. The first watches were created in 1903 by the Swiss scientist C. Linnaeus, the second appeared in 1955 in honor of the recognition of Geneva as the world center of chronometer production. The diameter of the dial of the flower clock is 5 meters, the plants are chosen in such a way that the composition blooms throughout the summer.
In Geneva we were in transit, we had about 9 hours to get to know the city.
And during this time, we got to know the city from different sides, we liked something, something we didn't, something surprised, something disappointed ...
In general, see for yourself!
At the airport, you can get a free ticket at the terminal in the baggage claim area to Central Railway. Geneva. Travel time by train will take only 5-7 minutes.
We left our luggage in the luggage room at the airport. They charge for the number of bags, not the weight. I don't remember how much it cost in francs, we paid in euros, but for a bag and a backpack in terms of rubles, we got about 1,500 rubles.
1. Arriving at the central station, we headed towards Lake Geneva, and then walked around the city along the following route:
2. On the street you can see small tourist trams:
4.Point 1: Fountain Jet d "Eau- The literal translation of the name from French is "water jet". This is one of the largest fountains in the world - 500 liters of water per second are raised to a height of 140 m using 500 kV pumps. Water comes out of the pipe at a speed of over 200 km / h. At any given moment, there are about 7000 liters of water in the air.
The first version of the Jet d "Eau was installed in 1886 near Usine de la Coulouvrenière, a little further downstream than the modern fountain. It was used as a safety valve for the hydraulic power network and reached a height of 30 m. In 1891, the aesthetics of the fountain was appreciated and moved to its current location for the celebration of the Federal Gymnastics Festival and the 600th anniversary of the founding of the Swiss Confederation, for this reason, even for the first time, illumination was used.The height of the fountain at that time reached 90 m.
The current Jet d "Eau was installed in 1951 with a separate pumping station that pumped water from the lake rather than from the city's networks.
Since 2003, the fountain has been operating throughout the day all year round, with the exception of frost and especially windy days. The fountain is also open in the evenings from spring to autumn, illuminated by 12 floodlights.
5. View of Lake Geneva.
6. The Alps are visible in the background.
7. Young people are resting.
For the middle of September, the weather was excellent, about 25 ° C, if not higher. The sun was shining and I wanted to plunge into the waters of the lake. We walked along the promenade to the city beach. Entrance 3 euros or 3 francs, accepted in both currencies. A divorce of tourists was observed on the embankment, there was a bunch of suspicious men who shouted something loudly and made bets, thereby attracting passers-by. And in the center of the pile there was a no less suspicious character who twisted 3 caps and offered to guess under which of the 3 caps the coin was. Onlookers came up, made bets, the first time they could win, even the second time they could win, and if they got into courage, they lost. Most interestingly, suspicious men shoved money into the hands of onlookers so that they could place a bet. Well, after winning, they already bet their money.
The locals passed by, not even paying attention to the crowd. On the way back, walking towards the city, we also did not pay any attention to them.
8. The city beach is well equipped. There is a restaurant, changing room, shower rooms, storage boxes. Benches and wooden flooring.
The audience does not think about anything, sunbathes and enjoys a sunny September day.
There is an atmosphere of pathos, wealth, beauty in the air. A striking contrast to Amsterdam, where everything was so sweet and pleasant, friendly and understandable, where a homely atmosphere reigned. And here, in Geneva, you feel a bit like a stranger. They look at you either with an indifferent glance, or "who are you with a backpack, move away, you are interfering with my view!" They smile a little, everyone is in motion, they are in a hurry somewhere.
During lunchtime, city residents, mostly young people, prefer to dine outside, sitting on the steps or curbs on the embankment of a river or lake.
10. Street Art.
11. View from the beach to the city.
14. Even ducks sunbathe here:
16. There were mirrors on the concrete wall, in which we decided to check in.
17. The swan is an important and arrogant bird here. She is not afraid, and if she sees that you are chewing something, then you simply have to share with her, otherwise she will chase you, and when she catches you, she will take away food and bite (pinch)!
The water, when they first entered it, seemed cold, but after that it was warm enough. And we, like the last time in The Hague, did not take our swimwear with us, and again bought in jeans. =)
Then, across the bridge, we headed to the city.
Point 2 on the map: Flower Clock in Jardin Anglais- after crossing the Pont du Mont-Blanc, which separates the river and the lake, there will be a small "English Garden" (Jardin Anglais) on the left. In it you can find a watch, the dial of which is neatly made of natural flowers growing in the ground. And like all Swiss watches, they show the exact time.
Point 3 on the boat: Ile Rousseau- to the right of the Pont du Mont-Blanc bridge there is another bridge - Pont des Bergues, next to which, on a tiny island, there is a statue of the famous philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, made by the sculptor Pradier in 1834. The islet, on which Rousseau loved to walk, is now home to ducks, swans and other water birds. Located in the center of the river, the islet was once a stronghold of the defense of Geneva.
Point 4: Tour-de-l "Ile- in 1219, a castle was built in the center of the Rhone River, although it has not survived to this day. The castle was used as a prison and place of execution for the Counts of Savoy. Only the towers survived from the castle.
A plaque on the wall of the museum is dedicated to Caesar's visit in 58 at the beginning of the Gallic Wars. Once the fortification center of the Old City, it resembles the Parisian island of Ile de la Cité.
19.From here we went up to the city center along the streets:
Point 5: Musée Rath- Art Museum of Geneva.
Point 6: Monument international de la Réformation- a monument to the Reformation.
23.Point 7: Hôtel-de-Ville- City Hall, next to the promenade des Bastions. The building was built in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Tour Baudet ("donkey" tower) was built in 1455. Instead of steps, the building has an inclined cobblestone road. The Hôtel-de-Ville has witnessed a number of important events, including the establishment of the Red Cross here in 1864.
Point 8: Le Café-Restaurant Papon- one of the oldest and most respected cafes in Geneva, located near the Hôtel-de-Ville (walk along Rue de l "Hôtel-de-Ville to the left, if the bastion is behind, until the intersection with the next street) at 1, Rue Henri-Fazy. The restaurant has been operating since the 17th century.
Point 9: Maison Tavel- "House Tavel" with a gothic turret. It is the oldest surviving building in old Geneva. The house was built in 1303, in 1334 it had to be slightly rebuilt after a fire. It underwent several more transformations before opening as a museum in 1986. Now the building houses the Musee du Vieux Geneve - Museum of old Geneva. It features a historical collection of their Geneva from the Middle Ages to the mid-19th century. The museum displays a model of Geneva from 1850. The model was made at the end of the 19th century by A. Manen on a scale of 1: 250.
The front wall is typical of the 17th century, with gray paint and white seams and towering stone sculptures. Inside there is a courtyard, a 13th century cellar and a garden.
24.Point 10: Arsenal- Arsenal, located on the left along Rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre or directly opposite the Hôtel-de-Ville. This arcade dates back to 1634. Inside is a cannon, cast in 1683. The armory wall is decorated with three mosaics.
After walking along Rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre and turning right onto Rue de Soleil Levant, we found ourselves in front of Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.
25.
29.Point 11: Cathédrale Saint-Pierre- Cathedral of St. Peter, belonging to the Swiss Reform Church. It is located at the highest point of the city - 404 m above sea level. Presumably there was a Roman temple on this site earlier. The construction of the current building began in the 12th century, so it looks very eclectic. The cathedral itself is made in Romanesque style with Gothic elements, and the capitals are made in the style of late romance and early gothic. In the thirteenth century, towers were added to the cathedral. In 1749-56. the former facade of the cathedral was replaced by a portico with six Corinthian columns. The pointed metal tower, green with age, was built around 1895, replacing the old 15th-century bell tower.
The interior of the cathedral is fully consistent with Protestant ideas, so everything is very modest and no frills.
The church is known primarily as the place where John Calvin, one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation, preached. In the north side nave is the "chaise de Calvin", a triangular chair belonging to John Calvin.
On the right side of the cathedral, in the chapel, there is a tombstone to Duke Henri de Rohan (1579-1638), the leader of the French Protestants. The monument was erected in 1889.
Archaeological excavations began under the cathedral, finding many artifacts right up to Roman times. From the 8th to the 10th century, this place was one of the three churches of the city. Cathedral of st. Petra appeared on the site of a church dedicated to spiritual ministry and early Christian funeral cults.
Protestant Church of St. Petra was formed after an agreement signed by Napoleon in 1803 that granted freedom of religion.
33. Cathédrale Saint-Pierre. Outside view.
35.Point 12: Temple de l "Auditoire- this building is located next to the Cathedral of St. Peter. At one time, Calvin read his sermons here, so sometimes it is also called Calvin's Auditorium. The building was renovated in 1959 to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the birth of Calvin.
Point 13: Collège Calvin is the oldest public high school in Geneva and one of the oldest in the world. It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin.
36... Point 14: Musée d "Art et d" Histoire is the most significant of all Geneva museums, with prehistoric relics, Greek vases, medieval stained glass windows, 12th century weapons, Swiss chronometers, Flemish and Italian paintings, Etruscan pottery and medieval furniture, as well as Switzerland's largest collection of Egyptian art. The gallery also features works by such masters as Rodin, Renoir, Hodler, Picasso, Chagall, Corot, Monet and Pizarro.
39. Point 15: Place du Bourg-de-Four- originally on this place was the Roman Forum, in the Middle Ages it became one of the city squares. In 1707, the Palace of Justice was built here, but the courts were in it only until 1860. Passing the fountain, you will find many antique shops and art galleries.
It is worth noting that there are a lot of fountains in the city, almost every 5-7 meters you can see a new fountain.
40. And there are even more hours, almost every building has them, and they are always different. I liked these:
Then we went shopping, tried Swiss cheese, chocolate, beer. We looked into shop windows, admired the city.
Time passed very quickly and the moment came when it was necessary to return to the airport, Paris was waiting for us.
The route was found
You can see the main sights of Geneva within one walk along the route presented below, which includes all the most interesting in the city. The route starts from Lake Geneva, from the famous fountain. From Gare Cornavin (Geneva central train station) to this place is about 15 minutes on foot, if you do not get stuck along the way.
The route itself takes about 1.5 hours in a smart way, or half a day, if with feeling, sensibly, with an arrangement. On average, if you read the description in advance, do not visit museums and climb the tower, then you can count on 2 - 2.5 hours.
1) Fountain Jet d'Eau
On the way to the city center, you will certainly see this famous fountain. The literal translation of the name from French is "water jet". It is one of the largest fountains in the world - 500 liters of water per second are raised to a height of 140 m using 500 kV pumps. Water comes out of the pipe at a speed of over 200 km / h. At any given moment, there are about 7000 liters of water in the air.
The first version of the Jet d'Eau was installed in 1886 near Usine de la Coulouvrenière, a little further downstream than the modern fountain. It was used as a safety valve for the hydraulic power network and reached a height of 30 m.In 1891, the aesthetics of the fountain was appreciated and moved to its current location for the celebration of the Federal Gymnastics Festival and the 600th anniversary of the founding of the Swiss Confederation, for this reason, even for the first time, lighting was used. The height of the fountain at that time reached 90 m.
The current Jet d'Eau was installed in 1951 already with a separate pumping station that pumped water from the lake, and not from city networks.
Since 2003, the fountain has been operating throughout the day all year round, with the exception of frost and especially windy days. The fountain is also open in the evenings from spring to autumn, illuminated by 12 floodlights.
2) Flower Clock at Jardin Anglais
After crossing the Pont du Mont-Blanc, which separates the river and the lake, there will be a small "English Garden" (Jardin Anglais) on the left. In it you can find a watch, the dial of which is neatly made of natural flowers growing in the ground. And like all Swiss watches, they show the exact time.
The flower arrangement is renewed several times a year according to the season.
3) Ile Rousseau
To the right of the Pont du Mont-Blanc bridge is another bridge - Pont des Bergues, next to which on a tiny island is a statue of the famous philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, made by the sculptor Pradier in 1834. The islet, on which Rousseau loved to walk, is now home to ducks, swans and other water birds. Located in the center of the river, the islet was once a stronghold of the defense of Geneva.
4) Tour-de-l´Ile
In 1219, a castle was built in the center of the Rhone River, although it has not survived to this day. The castle was used as a prison and place of execution for the Counts of Savoy. Only the towers survived from the castle.
A plaque on the wall of the museum is dedicated to Caesar's visit in 58 at the beginning of the Gallic Wars. Once the fortification center of the Old City, it resembles the Parisian island of Ile de la Cité.
The island can be reached by public transport - there is the Bel-Air stop, where many buses and trams stop (routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 19 and 20).
From here, head up to the city center along Rue de la Cité, when the street turns into Grand Rue, turn right onto Rue de la Tertasse. This is a small narrow street, behind which you can immediately see the roofs of the museum and the Bolshoi Theater. It will take you to Place Neuve:
Place neuve
"New Square". This is the cultural center of Geneva. The square is surrounded by the Geneva Art Museum, the Bolshoi Theater, the Conservatory, as well as the city park with a monument in honor of the Reformation, and in the center of the square there is a statue of General Dufour.
Equestrian statue of General Dufour
General Guillaume Henri Dufour (1787-1875) was an outstanding person. During the civil war of 1847, as commander-in-chief of the allied army, he won a victory in the struggle against the unification of the seven Catholic cantons - the Sonderbund. In 1857, it was Dufour who contributed to the abandonment of Prussia from Neunburg, since then owned by Switzerland.
The general presided over the First Geneva Convention when the Red Cross was established. In addition, Dufour was the founder and president of the Swiss Federal Office of Topography from 1838 to 1865. Under his leadership, in 1832-64, a topographic map of the country was created, called the "Dufour map", at a scale of 1: 100,000.
The general also showed himself as an engineer: he participated in the construction of the first steamer on Lake Geneva, as well as in the creation of gas street lamps. Dufour developed the design of the Geneva suspension bridge, thus creating the world's first permanent suspension bridge.
In honor of Dufour, the highest mountain in Switzerland is named - Dufourspitze, part of the Monte Rosa mountain range.
