Geneva - the second largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of the same name - traditionally attracts many tourists from Russia. In February, they will have a quiet educational rest - the New Year holidays have died down, the weather is mild enough for long walks (up to +10), numerous museums are waiting for visitors, and restaurants are waiting for hungry customers. For holiday ideas, you can always look to the Tourist Office of Geneva, located in a historic building of a former power plant, standing above the Rhone River, which flows out of Lake Geneva.
It may seem surprising, but even in winter in Geneva, flowers grow on the streets. The most striking flower display is, of course, the famous clock in the English Garden on the waterfront. They not only delight the eye all year round, but also amaze with their accuracy, because they contain a real Swiss clockwork.
After walking through the English Garden, go out onto the embankment - and the stunningly high Jet-d'O fountain, whose jet reaches 140 meters, is within easy reach.
You can feel the native spirit in Geneva by visiting the picturesque and very pretty Russian Orthodox Church, which has long become one of the iconic sights in the city. And not far away, at 16 Rue du Mont Blanc, there is a tall beautiful house in which Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky lived with his family for several years. Now there is a memorial plaque on the wall of the building.
Pass in Geneva and many organized cultural events. From the end of January until February 25, the Antigel Festival (www.antigel.ch) will be held in Geneva - a celebration of music and dance. As part of the festival, performances by musical groups, club parties, performances and many other interesting events are planned in the city. The cost of a ticket to the festival is from 70 Swiss francs, there is a discount system that allows you to attend the sixth and subsequent shows for free or at a price of up to 40 Swiss francs.
There are interesting museums in Geneva, and the most popular of them is the Museum of Natural History (www.ville-geneve.ch/plan-ville/musees/museum-histoire-naturelle/), with its collection of stuffed animals from all over the world, as well as plants and minerals found in Switzerland. The largest museum in Geneva is the Museum of Art and History (www.mah-geneve.ch), which houses over a million exhibits from three collections: archeology and fine and applied arts. The Museum of Information and Telecommunication Technologies (ICT Discovery, www.ictdiscovery.org) is the newest in the city. Its visitors can literally look into the future. Admission to these three museums is free.
Also of great interest is the Patek Philippe Museum (www.patekmuseum.com). The four-story building houses a huge collection of famous clocks dating back to the 16th century, as well as music boxes, pistols and various mechanical trinkets loved by the European aristocracy. Entrance - 10 francs (8 euros), visitors under 18 are free.
A little over a month ago, after a large-scale reconstruction in Geneva, the Ethnographic Museum (Musée d "ethnographie de Genève or MEG,) reopened, the collection of which represents the diversity of world cultures. Entrance fee is 15 Swiss francs (12.5 euros).
Children and adults alike will be delighted to visit the Puppet Museum, where you can see more than 200 puppets from 25 countries. It also hosts master classes on creating puppets, as well as performances for children in the museum's own theater. Performances are held in French, but the live performance of the actors allows young viewers to understand the meaning without translation. Entrance to the museum costs only 1.5 Swiss francs (1.2 euros).
Geneva is the gateway to a huge ski region. Each tourist can spend a day at a resort in the mountains, and in the evening return to Geneva and continue their vacation in a comfortable urban environment - go shopping, attend a cultural event or retire to one of the fine restaurants. No wonder the tourism "Oscar" - the World Travel Awards - named Geneva the best place in Europe for urban recreation in 2014.
Cafes and restaurants are a special and well-deserved pride of Geneva. There are more than 50 establishments in the city, marked by the best restaurant guides. You can find a cafe or restaurant for yourself on the website of the Geneva Tourist Office (www.geneve-tourisme.ch/en/eating-drinking/). In the most popular of them, tables are always recommended to be booked in advance. But in any "brasserie" you will find delicious traditional cheese and meat dishes, always the freshest salads and amazing Swiss wines, the best of which are produced just on the shores of Lake Geneva.
It is worth noting that the locals, if they are not celebrating some significant event, are very fond of having lunch and dinner on the terraces, and they do it with pleasure even in winter. Join them too!
The end of winter in Geneva is considered the low tourist season. The cost of living in hotels in Geneva in February starts from 80 euros per day. Guests of Geneva hotels receive a free Geneva Transport Card for the entire stay, which allows significant savings. And when booking a hotel in Geneva at www.travel.ru/hotel/switzerland/geneva/ for any dates from January 26 to March 31, you will additionally receive twice as many points on your bonus account as usual. Book hotels in Geneva and save up to 10% on accommodation in one of the most interesting cities in Switzerland!
The Geneva Pass tourist card will help travelers save money in Geneva. It entitles you to free admission to museums and sightseeing tours of the city. Also, the holders of the tourist card can use city public transport for free, ride a tourist mini-train and a sightseeing boat on Lake Geneva. In total, the map covers 50 attractions. Geneva Pass is issued in three types: for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The cost of the card starts from 25 Swiss francs (20.5 euros). You can buy it at tourist information centers or online.
Convenient flights daily connect Switzerland with Moscow and St. Petersburg, so you can go to Geneva even for the weekend or, for example, on Valentine's Day or February 23 - and make a great gift for yourself and your other half.
Ekaterina Romanova-Panina
You can see the main sights of Geneva within one walk along the route below, which includes all the highlights of the city. The route starts from Lake Geneva, from the famous fountain. From Gare Cornavin (Geneva central railway station) to this place - 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, really, with the 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) Jet d'Eau fountain
On the way to the city center, you will certainly see this famous fountain. The literal translation of the name from French is “jet of water”. This is one of the largest fountains in the world - 500 liters of water per second rise to a height of 140 m using 500 kV pumps. The water exits the pipe at a speed of over 200 km/h. At any moment, there are about 7,000 liters of water in the air.
The first version of the Jet d´Eau was installed in 1886 near the Usine de la Coulouvrenière, a little further downstream than the modern fountain. It was used as a safety valve for a hydraulic power network and reached a height of 30 m. In 1891, the aesthetics of the fountain were appreciated and moved to its current location in celebration of the Federal Gymnastics Festival and the 600th anniversary of the formation of the Swiss Confederation, on this occasion even the first use of lighting. 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, and not from city networks.
Since 2003, the fountain has been functioning during the day all year round, except for frost and especially windy days. The fountain also operates in the evenings from spring to autumn, illuminated by 12 spotlights.
2) Flower Clock at Jardin Anglais
After crossing the Pont du Mont-Blanc bridge separating the river and the lake, there will be a small “English Garden” (Jardin Anglais) on the left. In it you can find a clock, the dial of which is carefully made from fresh flowers growing in the ground. And like all Swiss watches, they show the exact time.
Several times a year, the flower arrangement is updated 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 that Rousseau liked to walk on is now home to ducks, swans and other water birds. Located in the middle of the river, the islet was once the 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 the place of execution of the counts of Savoy. Only the towers survived from the castle.
A plaque on the wall of the museum commemorates Caesar's visit in 58 at the start 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 - here is the Bel-Air stop, where many buses and trams stop (routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 19 and 20).
From here go 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 Grand Theatre, the Conservatory, as well as the city park with a monument in honor of the Reformation, and in the center of the square stands 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 the fight against the unification of the seven Catholic cantons - the Sonderbund. In 1857, it was Dufour who contributed to the abandonment of Neunburg by Prussia, which has since belonged to Switzerland.
The general presided over the First Geneva Convention when the Red Cross organization 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", on a scale of 1: 100,000.
The general also showed himself as an engineer: he participated in the construction of the first steamboat on Lake Geneva, as well as in the creation of gas street lamps. Dufour designed 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.
5) Musee Rath
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Today Geneva is a symbolic city of the UN, one of the leading centers of European science and just a calm and unhurried city. If you're looking for activity and lots of excitement, head to nearby Bern or cross the border into France. Here they love those who appreciate silence.
In addition to visiting the main attractions, you can swim in Lake Geneva, see the ancient churches, admire the Alps, go over the museums and, of course, see the Place des Nations with your own eyes - the very one from where reports are made about the important political events of the continent.
Sightseeing
- Of course, it should be first on the list - Lake Geneva (Leman), on one coast of which the city itself is located, and the other rests on the majestic Alps with their snowy peaks. It looks really impressive - it's not for nothing that these places are called the Swiss Nice.
- The historic center of Geneva, which is called Vieille Ville. It itself is very small in size - cozy, as if fabulous, with narrow streets traditional for these places, paved with large cobblestones. Center - Place du Bourg-de-Four, formerly a gathering place for citizens. Of the iconic sights are the Old Arsenal, the building of the city hall and several atmospheric Catholic churches.
- United Nations European Headquarters. One of the main attractions of the city - not only because of the political significance for the continent, but also because of the amazing interior design. Anyone can get here - access to the Palais des Nations is from 14 Paix Street. True, you will have to go through a check and pay 11 euros for a ticket.
- CERN, which you have probably heard of, is the Hadron Collider. Or rather, the European Institute for Nuclear Research, which owns it. Tourists are attracted by both the shape of the building itself and its contents - it is definitely worth visiting inside. Moreover, the guided tours are free, and you can learn a lot of interesting things.
What else to see and do in Geneva
Watch the famous Jet d'Eau fountain, throwing out a jet of water to a height of 140 m. In the evening, there is a beautiful backlight.
From May to September, you can have a wonderful rest on the local beaches - the main city (paid - 6.5 euros for entry) and the sandy Baby Plage (free). Bains des Pâquis stands apart - a whole complex that includes places for swimming on the lake, a hammam and massage. Prices - from 2 euros.
Observation deck at St. Peter's Basilica. Only 157 steps - and you enjoy an amazing view of Lake Geneva and the Old Town.
Museum of Old Geneva. Predictably, it is located in the historical part of the city at Rue du Puits-St-Pierre, 6 and has a good exposition of everyday life of the townspeople from the early Middle Ages to the 19th century. Is free.
Geneva is the birthplace of Patek Philippe, famous for the quality and value of their watches. Visit the museum and get acquainted with the history of their creation: the exhibition covers the period from 1839, and you get the chance to see the most luxurious specimens encrusted with precious stones.
Geneva Botanical Garden. On the territory you can visit a small zoo and get acquainted with plants brought from different parts of the world - more than 12 thousand in total. A very pleasant place and completely free to visit.
If you want to add thrills to your acquaintance with the city, visit Bernskaya Street ((Rue de Berne). There are not only many tourists here, but also all kinds of bars and cafes, shops and salons - including intimate ones, which is somewhat uncharacteristic for a very conservative in this regard, Geneva.
Try traditional Genevan dishes - lake fish with Emmental cheese and lemon juice, small chestnut cakes, crayfish necks with tomatoes and much more. Points of interest are Bayview at 47 Quai Wilson and Le Chat-Botté at 13 Quai du Mont-Blanc.
Geneva - one of the most unique, located in the southwest of the picturesque Lake Leman. Often it is called the capital of the world: after all, the headquarters of the most important international organizations, such as the UN and the Red Cross, are concentrated here. Geneva, whose sights are quite diverse in historical and cultural terms, is a very small city. Therefore, even staying here for one day, you can see quite remarkable objects. And in order to make it easier for you to find the most interesting places to visit, we decided to make a special selection.
If you wish, before you start reading the article, you can study the map of Geneva with sights in Russian, presented at the bottom of the page. This will help you more easily navigate the location of the objects we describe.
Mount Saleve
With a height of more than 1100 meters, Mount Salève offers beautiful views of Geneva, the fountain and Lake Geneva. And if you go there in clear weather, you can admire the mountain ranges of Mont Blanc, Les Bauges and Les Bornes. Mount Salev is a kind of sports club for the Swiss: in the summer it is conquered by rock climbers and climbers, and extreme sportsmen rush from its slopes on a mountain bike or jump with a paraglider. The rest of the inhabitants prefer to climb the mountain on foot, armed with comfortable mountain boots. And if you happen to relax in Switzerland in Geneva, be sure to visit this attraction.
Mount Saleve is located 20 km from the center of Geneva, and to get here, you need to find bus number 8 at the central city station, which will take you to the final stop Veyrier Douane for ₣3. After getting off the bus, you will find yourself in a nice French village, from where, following the signs, you will reach the funicular that will take you to the top (14 ₣ both ways). If you want to join the hiking mountain tourism, then forget about the lift and follow the signs to the trail leading to Saleve. A leisurely climb to the mountain will take you about 3 hours, and as a reward for the journey to the top, you can enjoy a unique panorama, as well as taste a French pie in a cozy restaurant.
You will be interested! The symbol of Switzerland - the Matterhorn mountain - is the prototype of the famous Toblerone chocolate bar. Features of climbing the mountain and cognitive facts you will learn in.
Jet d'Eau Fountain
Located in the very center of Geneva, the Jet d'Eau Fountain has long been a hallmark of the city, which attracts tourists from all over the world. The uniqueness of the object lies in the fact that this natural fountain is located in and beats with a powerful jet at a height of 147 meters. Je-Do is especially beautiful in the evening, when the spotlights are turned on to illuminate it.
Interesting to know! Initially, the highest fountain in Europe was built not at all for beauty, but to ensure the smooth operation of the city's hydraulic system, but now not only local residents, but also travelers enjoy its view.
This landmark of Geneva is also good because it makes great photos against its background: after all, the fountain is surrounded by a natural reservoir and framed by mountain ranges. And the swans living here, which tourists love to feed so much, only serve as an additional decoration of the area. Je-Do operates in summer and winter, open from morning until late at night, so you can admire its beauty at any convenient time.
Location: quai Gustave Ador | Jetee des Eaux-Vives, Geneva 1207.
On a note! Just 66 km from Geneva on the shores of the same lake is the city of Lausanne, which is famous for its architecture, picturesque views and excellent conditions for recreation. Read more about about Lausanne in.
Cathedral of St. Peter and the Maccabees Chapel (Cathedrale de St-Pierre, Chapel of the Maccabees)
The main and oldest cathedral in Geneva, uniting Catholics and Protestants, began to be built in the 12th century. But in order to finally rebuild the temple, it took mankind about six centuries. That is why the style of construction is not one-sided and has collected the best traditions of classical, Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
You should definitely look at the main exhibit of the cathedral - Calvin's chair, on which the ideological and spiritual leader of the Protestants of the 16th century once sat. While visiting this attraction, be sure to climb the temple tower, which offers a panorama of the Old City.
The chapel of the Maccabees, built in the early 15th century, deserves special attention. Its decoration is fundamentally different from the main part of the temple. A riot of colors plays here in wall ornaments and skillful stained-glass windows.
- Opening hours Cathedral from 9:30 to 18:30 (Monday - Saturday), from 12:00 to 18:30 (Sunday).
- The entrance to the cathedral itself is free, but the climb to the tower is worth it 5 ₣ for adults and 2 ₣ for children.
- Address: place du Bourg-de-Four 24, Geneva 1204, .
The expositions of the Patek Philippe Gallery occupy four floors. The first tier is reserved for a small cinema, where visitors can watch a tape about the company, as well as get acquainted with various machines for making watch products. Here you can watch a real watchmaker demonstrating his skills. On the second floor there is a gallery with Patek Philippe watches from the period 1839-1989.
Climbing even higher, you will find yourself in the walls of the "Antique Gallery", which displays exhibits produced in the period from 1500 to 1800. Here you can get acquainted with watch machines, look at beautiful jewelry, as well as get acquainted with wooden watches made by the Russian master Bronnikov. The fourth floor is reserved for the company's archives and library, which displays portraits of its founders and the awards they won in various competitions.
It is forbidden to take pictures in the gallery, and you will also be asked to leave all bags in the storage room located in the basement (cell price 2 ₣).
The Patek Philippe Watch Museum is a 20-minute walk from the city centre.
- Open from 14:00 to 18:00 (Tuesday-Friday) and from 10:00 to 18:00 (Saturday). The gallery is closed on Mondays and Sundays and during national holidays
- Entrance ticket price 10 ₣.
- Address: rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 7, Geneva 1205, Switzerland.
Botanical Garden Villa le Chene
If you don’t know what to see in Geneva in 1 day, then feel free to go to the Villa le Chene botanical garden. This natural park is considered one of the best in Europe. Spread over an area of 28 hectares, the garden has gathered a collection of more than 16,000 plant species. The territory of the park is divided into several thematic sections, among which it is interesting to look at the greenhouse with orchids (more than 1500 species), the rock garden, the zoo and the area with protected plant species.
Black Swan This is a quiet place, breathing nature, where it is pleasant to walk along the alleys, along which centuries-old trees rise. Be sure to visit the zoo and meet local flamingos, peacocks and black swans. You can get here from the city center by tram number 14, which will take you to the UN building: after landing at the stop, turn left and after 2 minutes you will find yourself in the botanical garden.
- Visiting the object is free.
- From October to March, the garden is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00, from March to October - from 8:00 to 19:30.
- Address: Chemin de l'Imperatrice 1, Chambésy, Geneva 1292, Switzerland.
Baths of Paquis (Bains des Paquis)
You may not notice this attraction in a guide to Geneva, but it is worth a look. After all, the Baths of Paki are especially popular among all the baths of Lake Geneva. Located almost in the heart of the city, the baths are an artificial beach connected to the lake by a footbridge. Here, the tourist has the opportunity to swim, sunbathe on wooden decks or simply enjoy the surrounding views while taking a leisurely walk along the embankment.
On the beach there is a lighthouse, a swimming pool, a sauna, a massage room and a cafe. This is a great place to relax right in the center of Geneva. Many tourists note that in a local restaurant you can have a tasty meal and at the same time inexpensive. The beach is very cozy and clean.
- Entrance to the territory is paid and is 2 ₣ for adults and 1 ₣ for children from 6 to 16 years old.
- Address: quai du Mont-Blanc 30, Geneva 1201, Switzerland.
Park La Grange
Park La Grange is located on the left bank of Lake Geneva and covers an area of 12,000 square meters. meters. This is the sight of Geneva, a complete description of which cannot be done without a photo. Imagine a wide green area flowing down a hill to a reservoir, dotted with flower beds and a rose garden. The unique historical park has repeatedly won first places at various exhibitions thanks to its natural exhibits. Slowly strolling under the foliage of century-old cedars among ponds and flowering gardens, tourists enjoy original landscapes and deep tranquility.
At the entrance to this attraction you will be greeted by two huge statues of lions, and at the top of the gardens you will find the ruins of an ancient villa left by the Romans. The park also has a swimming pool, a children's playground, a restaurant and a theater with free performances during the summer months. La Grange Park has a special opening hours:
- November to March: 07:00 to 18:00
- April to May: 07:00 to 21:00
- From June to August: from 6:00 to 22:00
- September to October: 07:00 to 21:00
Entrance to the park is free. Address: Avenue William-Favre 1, Geneva 1207, Switzerland.
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Museum of Natural History (Museum d'Histoire naturelle)
The Museum of Natural History is a very informative excursion that will be of interest to both children and adults. The exhibits are located on four floors of the building, they have a beautiful design and original lighting. Here you can look at dioramas and stuffed animals, birds, reptiles, insects, as well as see the skeleton of a dinosaur. The museum has a collection of minerals and precious stones, and in a separate dark room you have the opportunity to watch the glow of luminescent stones.
Entrance to the museum is absolutely free, but there are not so many visitors here. The only drawback of the gallery, according to tourists, is the fact that all the inscriptions to the exhibits are presented only in French.
- The object is open from 10:00 to 17:00 every day except Monday.
- Address: route de Malagnou 1, Geneva 1208, Switzerland.
Palace of Nations (UNOG - Palais des Nations)
Another attraction in the city of Geneva, which any tourist traveling in Switzerland must visit is the UN Palace. It is a complex of buildings surrounded by a beautiful park, where each tree has its own sign and history. It also houses many sculptures that were donated to the UNPO by various states. Travelers who have visited the halls of the palace note a special atmosphere: visitors seem to join something global and very important.
Tourists are allowed to enter the UNN Palace only with a guide. It should be borne in mind that the tours are conducted only in two languages: in English and French. You can get here on your own from the Geneva station by tram number 15. Be sure to take your passport with you, otherwise you simply will not be allowed into the building. In total, the tour of the UNPO Palace takes about 2.5 hours.
- Entry fee for adults 12 ₣, for students 10 ₣, for children 6-18 years old 7 ₣.
- The palace is open from Monday to Friday and offers the following visiting hours: in the morning from 10:00 to 12:00 and in the afternoon from 14:00 to 16:00.
- Address: 8 - 14 avenue de la Paix, Geneva 1211, Switzerland.
Sculpture Broken Chair Sculpture
What else to see in Geneva? Of course, the famous sculpture Broken Chair, located next to the UNPO Palace. This composition is not installed on the square for decoration, but has a deep meaning: it was created in order to abolish the use of anti-personnel mines, due to which many people lose their lower limbs. The sculpture serves as a symbolic reminder to all politicians visiting Geneva on business. Initially, the Broken Chair was supposed to stay on the square for only three months, but the composition has been here for more than 20 years.
You can get to the sculpture on foot from the station in 20 minutes, or take tram number 15 or bus number 8 and disembark at the stop at the UN Palace. In addition to the chair itself, on the square you can see a beautiful fountain and a cannon with a tied muzzle, as well as take a walk along the alley with flags near the UNPO building.
Address: Place des Nations, Geneva 1202, Switzerland.
Bastions Park and Reformation Wall (Parc Des Bastions, Mur de la Reformation)
If you have only 1 day left to review the sights of Geneva, then be sure to pay attention to such a place as Bastions Park in your guidebook. Once the city center was surrounded by bastions, a small part of which has been preserved in the form of a wall, where today a green park is laid out. This is a calm, quiet island near the Old Town, perfect for relaxing after exhausting excursions. It will be interesting to play big chess and checkers. The park is decorated with lush flower beds, small streams, gazebos and fountains.
The Reformation Wall with monuments to the founding fathers of Protestantism (Jean Calvin, Oliver Cromwell, etc.) deserves special attention. The wall stretches along the entire park, and the area in front of it is lined with an interesting mosaic. In winter, everyone has the opportunity to go ice skating in the park. If you get hungry, you can grab a bite to eat at the small food stalls located at the entrance to the park.
Address: Promenade Des Bastions 1204, Geneva, Switzerland.
In Geneva, we were in transit, we had about 9 hours to get acquainted with 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 hall to the Central Railway. Geneva. Travel time by train will take only 5-7 minutes.
We left our luggage at the airport in a luggage room. 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: Jet d "Eau Fountain- The literal translation of the name from French is "jet of water". This is one of the largest fountains in the world - 500 liters of water per second rise to a height of 140 m using 500 kV pumps. The water exits the pipe at a speed of over 200 km/h. At any moment, there are about 7,000 liters of water in the air.
The first version of 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 a hydraulic power network and reached a height of 30 m. In 1891, the aesthetics of the fountain were appreciated and moved to its current location to celebrate the Federal Gymnastics Festival and the 600th anniversary of the founding of the Swiss Confederation, on this occasion they even used lighting for the first time.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, and not from city networks.
Since 2003, the fountain has been functioning during the day all year round, except for frost and especially windy days. The fountain also operates in the evenings from spring to autumn, illuminated by 12 spotlights.
5. View of Lake Geneva.
6. The Alps are visible in the background.
7. Youth is resting.
For mid-September, the weather was excellent, about 25 degrees Celsius, 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. On the embankment, they watched the divorce of tourists, 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 type, who twisted 3 caps and offered to guess under which of the 3 caps the coin was. Onlookers approached, made bets, they could win the first time, they could even win the second time, and if they went into courage, they lost. What is most interesting, suspicious men shoved money into the hands of onlookers so that they placed a bet. Well, after winning, they already bet their money.
Locals passed by, not even paying attention to the crowd. On the way back, going towards the city, we also did not pay any attention to them.
8. The city beach is well equipped. There is a restaurant, locker room, shower rooms, storage boxes. Benches and wooden decks.
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 bright contrast to Amsterdam, where everything was so nice and pleasant, friendly and understandable, where there was a homely atmosphere. And here, in Geneva, you feel like a little stranger. They look at you either with an indifferent look, or “who are you with a backpack, move away, you interfere with my view!”, Or with a Muscovite’s look “come in large numbers!”. There are few smiles here, everyone is on the move, somewhere in a hurry.
At 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. Mirrors hung on the concrete wall, in which we decided to check in.
17. The swan here is an important and impudent bird. She is not afraid, and if she sees that you are chewing something, then you simply have to share it with her, otherwise, she will pursue you, and when she catches it, she will take away the food and bite (pinch)!
The water seemed cold when we entered it, but after that it was warm enough. And we, like last time in The Hague, did not take swimsuits with us, and again bought in jeans. =)
Then, across the bridge, we headed to the city.
Point 2 on the map: Flower Clock at Jardin Anglais- after crossing the Pont du Mont-Blanc bridge separating the river and the lake, on the left there will be a small "English Garden" (Jardin Anglais). In it you can find a clock, the dial of which is carefully made from fresh flowers growing in the ground. And like all Swiss watches, they show the exact time.
Point 3 on the cut: 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 that Rousseau liked to walk on is now home to ducks, swans and other water birds. Located in the middle of the river, the islet was once the 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 the place of execution of the counts of Savoy. Only the towers survived from the castle.
A plaque on the wall of the museum commemorates Caesar's visit in 58 at the start 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 climbed up to the city center along the streets:
Point 5: Musee Rath- Art Museum of Geneva.
Point 6: Monument international de la Reformation- 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-17th centuries. The tower of the town hall Tour Baudet ("donkey" tower) was built in 1455. Instead of stairs, the building has a sloping cobblestone road. The Hôtel-de-Ville has witnessed a number of important events, including the founding of the Red Cross in 1864.
Point 8: Le Café-Restaurant Papon- one of the oldest and most respected cafes in Geneva, located near the Hôtel-de-Ville (go along Rue de l "Hôtel-de-Ville to the left, if there is a bastion behind, until the intersection with the next street) on 1, Rue Henri-Fazy. The restaurant has been operating since the 17th century.
Point 9: Maison Tavel- "House Tavel" with a Gothic turret. This is the oldest surviving building of old Geneva. The house was built in 1303, in 1334 it had to be slightly rebuilt after a fire. It underwent a number of transformations before opening in 1986 as a museum. Now the building houses the Musee du Vieux Geneve - Museum of Old Geneva. It presents the historical collection of their Geneva from the Middle Ages to the middle of the 19th century. The museum displays a model of Geneva in 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 paintwork and white seams and towering stone sculptures. Inside there is a patio, 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 from 1634. Inside is a cannon cast in 1683. The wall of the arsenal is decorated with three mosaics.
After passing Rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre and turning right onto Rue de Soleil Levant, we found ourselves in front of Cathedral Saint-Pierre.
25.
29.Point 11: Cathedral Saint-Pierre- Cathedral of St. Peter, belonging to the Swiss Reformed Church. It is located at the highest point of the city - 404 m above sea level. Presumably, a Roman temple used to stand on this site. The construction of the current building was started in the 12th century, so it looks very eclectic. The cathedral itself is made in the Romanesque style with Gothic elements, and the capitals are made in the style of late Romantic and early Gothic. Towers were added to the cathedral in the thirteenth century. In 1749-56. the former facade of the cathedral was replaced with 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 best known 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 owned by John Calvin.
On the right side of the cathedral in the chapel is the tombstone of Duke Henri de Rohan (1579-1638), the leader of the French Protestants. The monument was erected in 1889.
Under the cathedral began to conduct archaeological excavations, finding many artifacts 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 burial cults.
Protestant Church of St. Petra was formed after an agreement signed by Napoleon in 1803 that granted religious freedom.
33. Cathedral Saint-Pierre. View outside.
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 the Calvin Auditorium. The building was restored in 1959 on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of Calvin's birth.
Point 13: College 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 important of all the museums in Geneva, containing 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 there was a Roman forum on this place, in the Middle Ages it became one of the city squares. In 1707, the Palace of Justice was built here, but the courts were located in it only until 1860. Passing by the fountain, you will find many antique shops and art galleries.
It should be noted that there are a lot of fountains in the city, almost every 5-7 meters you can observe a new fountain.
40. And there are even more clocks, 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 we had to return to the airport, Paris was waiting for us.
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