Geneva–The World Garden City
Surrounded by majestic mountains, Geneva is a compact and cultivated metropolis hugging the shores of the bluest lake in Switzerland. Geneva, international meeting place, the smallest of the world’s metropolises, peace capital of the world, situated between the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) and Mount Salève, is a world for everyone, quiet apart from the rest of Switzerland.
Although the United Nations is now headquartered in New York, the organization still retains a large presence in Geneva at the Palais des Nations and many of its sister/child organizations, such as the World Health Organization and ILO. Geneva itself has only 188’000 citizens but 780’000 people live in the metropolitan region (Jan. 2009).
Geneva is still a very proud city. Some find it downright stuffy, although there is quite a bit more life to be found if you look under the surface, especially if you speak some French.
Geneva is officially a French-speaking city, and the vast majority of the population speak French. All advertisements, information, and signage are in French. With the large international presence, English takes a close second. Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and Arabic speakers abound, and of course you will also occasionally hear German and Italian.
The river Rhône bisects Geneva with the main train station in the North and the old part of the town in the South. The Île Rousseau is a good starting point for a scenic walk around the city. Pass by Rousseau’s birthplace on the Grand-Rue in the medieval city on your way to the Place de Bourg-de-Four, Geneva’s oldest square, once a Roman forum. Take the Rue de la Fontaine to the shores of the lake and marvel at the Jet d’Eau’s 140m plume. The St. Pierre Cathedral, composed of Gothic and Romanesque influences, is the cathedral where John Calvin preached in the Reformation. Climb the tower and take in the spectacular panorama of the entire city and lake. Relax in one of the many beautiful parks or gardens that skirt the lake shore.
Get Around
Geneva, like most cities in Switzerland, is a marvel of public transportation efficiency. Transports Publics Genevois provides frequent bus, tram, ‘mouette’ (boat), and suburban train service to within a block or two of most locations in the city and canton.
The law changed this year and anybody staying in a Geneva hotel/hostel is entitled to a free daily travel pass for the local Transport TPG. This is provided by the hotel.
As well as a host of museums and fine galleries, Geneva has a lively cultural calendar. Most notable is the celebration of l’Escalade in December, which involves costumed and torch-lit processions through the town, and the consumption of sickly amounts of chocolate and marzipan.
Geneva is a gateway to Switzerland’s luxury ski resorts, an important banking centre and home to thousands of international delegates and diplomats. Among the many international organisations based in the city are the United Nations and the International Red Cross.
Best time visit Geneva
The best weather for a holiday in Geneva is experienced during the height of summer, July and August, but this is also the time when the city attracts thousands of tourists. Spring and autumn are less crowded and a pleasant time to travel to Geneva, although rain can be expected all year round. During late winter many travel to Geneva to access nearby ski resorts, and in December the city sees many tourists for the annual l’Escalade Festival.