Geneva Attractions

The "best things to do list" is actually very long for such compact medieval city such as Geneva situated on the largest lake in Europe with the Swiss and French Alps in the backdrop (one of which is Mont Blanc, the highest Mountain is Western Europe). On the border of France, sharing the Jura Mountains, every direction you look is breathtaking.

One way to see our top 10 picks is to embark on one of the many tourist boats including some 19th c. paddle wheelers and go out on Lake Geneva for a relaxing cruise and an overall view of the city. Near the boat quays stop at The Flower Clock, with a diameter of 5 meters in the Jardin Anglais and intricately decorated with 1'000s of plants and flowers.

Then walk across the busy streets, including the rue du Rhone luxury shopping paradise, going uphill into the Vielle Ville (Old City) and into another moment of time with ancient buildings, delightful squares, antique shops, galleries and more. Dominating the Vielle Ville, is the 12th c. St. Pierre Cathedral that was stripped of its décor by the austere 15th c. Reformists whose statues are at the bottom of the city wall below and the Promenade de la Treille.

The United Nations is worth a visit and is just across from another top pick which is the Museum of the International Red Cross. A lesser known spot is the Ile Rousseau named after Genevois Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 18th c. philosopher. Escape the rushing people going across the bridge and stop for a moment in or near the 18th c. pavilion.

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