Top 7 Things to Do in Geneva in One Day

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My Top 7 Things To Do in Geneva in OneDayDay 1

Hour Where Recommended Visit Time

1. 09:00 Palais des Nations 1 hour

2. 10:40 Jet d'Eau 30 mins

3. 11:15 Lake Geneva 2 hours

4. 13:25 The Flower Clock 15 mins

5. 13:45 The Old Town 2 hours

6. 15:50 St. Pierre Cathedral 1 hour

7. 17:05 Place Bourg du Four 1 hour

8. 18:20 The Reformation Wall 30 mins

9. 18:55 Musée d'Art et d'Histoire 2 hours

10. 21:10 Patek Philippe Museum 1 hour, 30 mins


Transportation: Bus - 5, 8, 11, 14, 18, F, V, or Z

Web: Palais des Nations Palais des Nations

Opening Hours: Jul-Aug 10:00am-5:00pm;

Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct 10:30am-noon and

2:30-4:00pm, Nov-Mar Mon-Fri 10:30am-noon and

2:30pm-4:00pm

Admission: 12F adults, 10F students, 7F children

6-17

Phone Number: 022 917-48-96

Address: Avenue de la Paix 14, 1211 Genève 10

09:00 Palais des Nations Rating: Landmark

Visit Time: 1 hour

The Palace of Nations was built specifically to be theheadquarters of the League of Nations, between 1929 and1936, but since 1946 it has been the headquarters of theUnited Nations. Switzerland only became a member of theUN in 2002. The building is located in Ariana Parkoverlooking Lake Geneva and is the 2 largest buildingnd

complex in Europe after Versailles. The designer of thebuilding was chosen by a competition, architects wereasked to design a building which would allow the diplomatsto meet, discuss and work in a "calm atmosphere whendealing with problems of international dimensions." From377 entries 5 architects were chosen to make a collaboratedeffort on the project. In the 1950s extensions and additionswere made to the building.

It is possible to take a tour of the building starting at theVisitors' Center. The tours are available in 15 languages andlast an hour. On the tour you will see the Human Rights andAlliance of Civilizations Room which was painted by MiquelBarcelo; the Salle des Pas Perdus; the Assembly Hall whichis the largest room in the building; the Council Chamber withwall paintings by Jose Maria Sert.; a short film about the UNand you will see a display of gifts given to the UN by variouscountries.

The walls of the building are adorned with art inherited fromthe League of Nations and gifts of art from many sources.There are sculptures, frescoes, stained glass, tapestries andpaintings. The collection is diverse and not focused on anyone theme, art genre or period of history. On the grounds ofthe UN are monuments and larger sculptures also donatedby different countries. Among the works of art on the UNgrounds are The Celestial Sphere (1939), a spherical metalframe adorned with the constellations; The Conquest ofSpace (1971); The Great Centaur (1997) by ErnstNeizvestny; Family (1979) by Edwina Sandys; TheSpreading of the Seeds and the Gathering of Ashes (1995);The Tower of Loneliness by Per Kirkeby; Montbovon Chalet(1668) which was acquired by the Revilliod Foundation andthe Cenotaph of Gustove Revilliod who bequeathed the parkand his art collection to the city.


Address: Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Geneva,

Switzerland

3.9 KM, 38 minutes by transit

10:40 Jet d'Eau Rating: Landmark

Visit Time: 30 mins

Perhaps the most recognizable landmark in Geneva and thesite which features on the city's tourist leaflets. The jet d'Eauis a large fountain which spurts up out of Lake Geneva atthe point where the lake empties into Rhone River. It is alsoone of the tallest fountains in the world. The fountain shootsup in a single jet of water 140 meters straight up into the airand is powered by two 500kW pumps from a submergedpumping station. The water leaves the base of the fountainat a speed of 200km an hour. There is constantly 7,000liters of water in the air when the fountain is functioning.

The original fountain located on the lake was installed in1886 at Usine de la Coulouvreniere which is a smalldistance from the present position. The purpose of theoriginal fountain was as a safety value for a nearbyhydraulic power network. The original fountain only reached30 meters but when the fountain gained popularity it wasdecided to move the fountain and make it a permanentfeature to celebrate the Federal Gymnastics Festival andSwiss Confederation in 1891.The height of the fountain wasextended to reach 90 meters. The fountain we see todaywas installed in 1951. It is possible to get up close to thefountain by taking the stone jetty from the left bank of thelake.

0.3 KM, 4 minutes by walking

11:15 Lake Geneva Rating: Lake


Address: Lake Geneva, Switzerland

Visit Time: 2 hours

The city of Geneva is located on the southwest shores ofLake Geneva (Lake Leman) at the point where the lakeflows into the Rhone River in the Rhone River Valley. Thecrescent-shaped lake is the largest natural body offreshwater in Switzerland with a northern shore of 95km anda southern shore of 72km. The lake is bordered by theChablais Alps on its southern shore and Bernese Alps onthe eastern side. The shore-side landscape varies along theedge of the lake; at the eastern end between Vevey andVilleneuve the Alpine scenery is picturesque; on thenorthern shore there are vineyards and undulating hillsspotted with rural villages and medieval castles and on thesouthern side the scenery is more mountainous anduninviting.

Switzerland shares Lake Geneva with France, 60% inSwitzerland and 40% in France. The lake is one of thelargest in Western Europe. The Ancient Romans knew thelake as , the medieval locals called theLemannus Limnelake ; the lake became Lac de Lausanne Lake Genevawhen the city of Geneva became powerful in the 18 th

century. The beauty of the lake has attracted many of therich and famous to visit and even make their homes alongthe water's edge including Charlie Chaplin, Vladimir Lenin,Freddy Mercury and David Bowie.

Geneva is the largest city along the lake's Swiss Riviera, butfor something a little quainter there is nearby Coppet, acharming medieval town. Nyon is a lake side town andVevey a small city along the shore, best known as theheadquarters of Nestle. Lausanne is also on the lake'sshores and many excursions and water activities can bedone there as well. Montreux is one of the historic cities onLake Geneva with the fairy-tale Chateau de Chillion and ariver side promenade.

Today the lake is a vacation destination for water sports,beaches and scenic hiking trails along the shore. It ispossible to take boat excursions from several points alongthe shore. Catamaran sailing is specifically popular and theannual Bol d'Or race runs from Geneva and back again.

Most of the towns along the lake are connected by boats runby the Compagnie Generale de Navigation. There are otherboats offering public transport and 5 heritage paddlesteamers. There are also private boat tours on the lake.


Transportation: Lines: 6, 8, 9, stop Place du Port

Address: Quai du Général-Guisan 1204 Genève


13:25 The Flower Clock Rating: Landmark

Visit Time: 15 mins

L'horloge Fleurie is a flower bed designed with the numbersand shapes of a clock, with the mechanical workings ofclock hands marking time. The clock mechanism is hiddenbeneath the ground under the clock face. The Genevaflower clock is 5 meters in diameter and the seconds hand is2.5 meters long (the world's longest second hand). For 45years Geneva's flower clock was the largest flower clock inthe world until a similar clock was planted in Tehran, Iranwith a 15 meter diameter. There are several other flowerclocks in the world including Europe's largest Flower Clockin the Ukraine and another flower clock with two clock facesin Mexico.

Geneva's flower clock is located in Jardin Anglais (Englishgarden) which is fitting as the first ever flower clock wasmade in Edinburgh Scotland. It was first created in 1955 andsince then every season the clock face is replanted with anew carpet of seasonal shrubs and flowers. The clock is ona grassy bank surrounded by greenery and other flowerbeds. It is composed on 6,500 flowers and plants and is oneof the city's most photographed sites.


Address: Old town Geneva, Swizerland


13:45 The Old Town Rating: Quarter

Visit Time: 2 hours

The history of La Vieille Ville, Geneva's Old Town, can betraced back 2,000 years. It is where you will find many ofGeneva's most interesting attractions and sites like theBarbier-Mueller Museum, the St. Pierre Cathedral, theInternational Museum of the Reformation, The Art andHistory Museum and the Tavel Mansion. It is one of thelargest Old Town's in Europe. The Old Town is built on a hillside south of the Rhone River. The area has picturesquenarrow meandering cobble stone streets lined with historicgrey-stone buildings which now hold boutiques, sidewalkcafes and restaurants. Antique enthusiasts will enjoy themany antique stores along the Old Town's historic streets.The heart of the Old Town is the Place du-Bourg-de-Fourwhich comes alive at night with trendy bars and restaurants.

Place du-Bourg-de-Four was probably built on top of the oldRoman Forum and later was a medieval market place. ThePalais de Justice was constructed at the square in 1707 andwas used as a court of law since 1860. In the centre of thesquare is a decorative fountain, one of several in the OldTown.


Phone Number: +41 22 311 75 75

Address: Place Bourg-Saint-Pierre, 1204 Geneva,

Switzerland


15:50 St. Pierre Cathedral Rating: Religious Sites

Visit Time: 1 hour

The Prince-Bishop of Geneva established the St. PierreCathedral in the 12 century. Archaeological findingsth

beneath the church show evidence of a previous structuredating back to the 4 century, Roman Empire mosaics, anth

11 century crypt and three earlier churches. From the 8 th th

to 10 century there were three cathedrals which sharedth

this location. The present structure was once used by anearly Christian funerary cult and the other two buildingswhich once stood here were used for public sacraments andfor religious instruction. However these two have notsurvived.

The church we see today took 100 years to complete andwas begun in 1160.The church has a neo-classical façadewhich was added in 1750, two square towers and a greenspire added in the 1800s. Primarily the design isRomanesque with a few Gothic elements. Within the churchare the remains of historic murals on the walls andRomanesque capitals on the columns. The wooden seats inthe church have misericord (or mercy seat, a small shelfunder a folding seat) carvings of lions. The church altarpiece, , was painted by Konrad Witz inSt. Peter Altarpiece1444 but it is now kept in the Musee d'Art et d'Histoire,Geneva.

The church was Catholic up until 1536 when it becameProtestant. When the church became Protestant most of thechurch art was destroyed or painted over. The church isbest known as the church attended by John Calvin(1509-1564) the founder of Calvinism. The church holds achair said to have been used by the Protestant Reformistwho delivered his stirring sermons here between 1536 and1564. The French Protestant leader Duc Henri de Rohan isburied in the church. The 14 century Chapel of theth

Maccabees is one of the few ornate areas of the church as itwas reconstructed and redecorated in 1878. The northtower has 157 steps which will bring you to a greatobservation point looking out over the city.


Address: pl. du Bourg-de-Four 13, 1204 Geneva,

Switzerland


17:05 Place Bourg du Four Rating: Square

Visit Time: 1 hour

This square is at the heart of Geneva's Old Town near to St.Peter's Cathedral, above the modern city, it is Geneva'soldest square. The square is surrounded by cafes, bars andrestaurants, some with outside seating areas. The squareseems to have been constructed originally at the location ofthe ancient Roman forum. The remains of Roman roadsleading south to Annecy and Lyon and east to Italy werefound beneath the square. Then in the 9 century itth

became a medieval market place. In the 16 centuryth

Protestant refugees who poured into the tolerant city fromacross Europe came to the square which prompted thesurrounding houses to build upwards to accommodate thenew residents. In 1707 the Palais de Justice was built on theedge of the square but was used as a shelter for nuns andas a hospital up until 1860 when it took on its true purposeand became a court of law. There is a mishmash ofarchitectural styles on the square including 16 , 17 andth th

18 century buildings. The square features a decorative 18 th

century fountain.th

When the sun goes down the square comes alive withrestaurants, cafes and bars. One of the well knownestablishments on the square is the bistro La Clemencewhich has terraces overlooking the square.


Transportation: Lines: 3, 12, stop Place de Neuve

Phone Number: +41 22 909 70 00

Address: Promenade des Bastions 1, 1204

Geneva, Switzerland


18:20 The Reformation Wall Rating: Landmark

Visit Time: 30 mins

The Reformation Wall commemorates the significant eventsand personalities who were pivotal in the reformistmovement. The wall is also called the ReformationMonument and the Mur de la Reformation. Geneva has astrong connection with Protestantism and was the hub ofCalvinism in the 16 century.th

The wall was built from 1909 to 1917 in Parc des Bastions,located on the campus of the University of Geneva whichJohn Calvin founded in 1559. The wall stretches for 99.06meters and is 9.14 meters high and it was built into theremains of the Geneva city walls. This represents the city'sconnection with reformation. Along the wall are a group offour 4.57 meter high statues of important figures in thereformist movement who just happen to be Genevans aswell – William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza and JohnKnox. Together with the four main protagonists there areother smaller statues, bas-reliefs and inscriptions. Along thewall the reformist motto "After Darkness, Light" is written inLatin.

Among the wall's artistic representations are a bas-relief ofthe pilgrims praying on the Mayflower and the Bill of Rightsbeing presented to King William of Orange by the BritishParliament in 1689. The symbol on the pedestal below thecentral statues is a Christogram, a monogram for JesusChrist.


Transportation: Bus: 1, 3, 5, 8, or 17

Web: Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Musée d'Art et

d'Histoire

Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00am-6:00pm

Admission: Free admission. 5F temporary

exhibitions adults, 2F for children


Address: Rue Charles-Galland 2, 1206

Geneve-Genf


18:55 Musée d'Art et d'Histoire Rating: Museums

Visit Time: 2 hours

The Museum of Art and History is the city's largest and oneof its most important institutions. The museum is housedwithin a building designed by Marc Camoletti andconstructed from 1903 to 1910; the building's exhibitionspace covers four floors and 7,000m². the building itself is atreasure with an inner courtyard, and a façade featuringsculptures by Paul Amlehn and a triangular gable with anallegorical depiction of the arts. In a frieze on the uppersection of the façade there are the names of Genevanartists.

The collections are divided into thematic categories focusingon Applied Arts, Fine Art and archaeology. There is an artsection in the museum with paintings from the middle agesto the 20 century including works by Konrad Witz,th

Rembrandt, Modigliani and Rodin. An Applied Arts sectionhas Byzantine art, medieval weapons, silverware andhistoric musical instruments among the collection. Part ofthe museum has been turned into the 17 century interiorth

of the Lower Castle Zizers complete with wood paneling andfurniture. In the archaeology section are pieces fromprehistoric Europe, ancient Egypt, African, Greek andRoman cultures. Other interesting pieces in the collectionare medieval stained glass, 12 century armor, Swissth

watches and Greek vases.


Admission: 10F adults, 7F students and seniors,

free for children 17 and under


Address: Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 7, 1205

Geneva


21:10 Patek Philippe Museum Rating: Museums

Visit Time: 1 hour, 30 mins

This museum highlights the history and culture of watchmaking in Switzerland. The evolution of the art of watch andclock making and in particular those in Geneva are thefocus of the museum. On display are timepieces whichcomprise one of the world's best collections of its kind.There are two permanent collections – the ArchiveCollection of antique timepieces and the Patek PhilippeCollection of pieces produced by this illustrious watchcompany.

The Antique Collection includes pieces from the 16 to 19 th

century from Europe, Switzerland and specificallyth

Geneva. One of the prized pieces on display was worn bymuch loved Austrian Princess Sissi.

In the Patek Philippe Collection are pieces produced by thecompany in the 175 years that they have been in business.The company rose to fame when Queen Victoria of Englandtook a fancy to their keyless watches. This brought theminto the public eye and had them in demand from the rich,famous and powerful. The Geneva-based company wasfounded in 1839. The collection now includes more than justtheir basic timepieces, also musical automata, 16 centuryth

portrait miniatures, pocket watches and jewelry.

The museum has an audiovisual presentation about thecollection. On the site is a library of Horology and relatedsubjects. If you would rather not see the collection byyourself there is a free guided tour of the museum in Englishon Saturdays at 2:30pm.

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Top 7 Things to Do in Geneva in One Day