Cathédrale St. Pierre
6, cour Saint-Pierre, Geneva, Switzerland CH-1204 · 22-311-75-75
With Romanesque and Gothic architectural influences, this stunning cathedral is where John Calvin established the Reformed Church during the 16th century. Originally built by Catholics in 1160, it became a Protestant church in 1536. The interior features Calvin's seat near the transept crossing, and the tomb of Duke de Rohan, who headed the Reform Church during the reigns of Henri IV and Louis XIII. The cathedral's exterior includes a 157-step North Tower that visitors climb to get a spectacular panoramic view of the city. An added bonus is the hourly bell tower recital, which has been conducted since the mid-1700's.
Flower Clock
quai du Général-Guisan, Jardin Anglais, Geneva, Switzerland CH-1201
A popular local landmark, the Flower Clock sits at the edge of the Jardin Anglais. The clock face is made of roughly 6500 flowering perennials and annuals that are replanted, rebedded, and relandscaped twice a year. The clock sits on an incline, measures five meters in diameter and dates back to 1955. Originally commissioned by the Office of Tourism, this technological and gardening marvel was financed by the Vaud and Geneva's Union of Watchmakers.
Ile Rousseau
Geneva, Switzerland
Best known for his 18th century works on education, politics and liberalism, Jean-Jacque Rousseau was considered by some to be a visionary. As a native of Geneva, however, he was mostly shunned because of the city's strict conservatism. Ile Rousseau, an island where the writer spent time and which once served as a city bastion, sits in the center of the Rhône River, is now home to a variety of wildlife and a statue honoring Rousseau.
Jet d'Eau
Lake Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland CH
With a water stream that shoots 460 feet into the air, this fountain originally served as a water supply safety valve. Probably one of Geneva's most recognizable landmarks, the Jet d'Eau dates back to 1891 when it was designed to release the additional water produced by the Rhône River's turbine house. Both practical and scenic, the jet stream releases 132 gallons of water per second between March and October, and is located in Lake Geneva.
La Tour-de-I'lle
Located across from the Place Bel Air, this quaint island was once a geographically strategic military stronghold. In 58 BC, Julius Caesar destroyed the bridge that connected the Tour-de-I'lle to the city of Geneva. During the 1200s the Bishop Aymon de Grandson constructed a chateau which eventually served as a prison during the Reformation. In time the island evolved into a prosperous commercial market . Now visitors can see the remnants of various forms of architecture including a clock tower, the chateau and a bronze statue by Regazzonni.
Maison Tavel
6, rue du Puits-St-Pierre, Geneva, Switzerland CH-1204 · 22-310-29-00
Located in Old Town and known as Geneva's oldest dwelling, the Maison Tavel is an architectural tribute to everyday medieval life. The house was destroyed by fire in 1334 and rebuilt by a noble family, the Tavels, as a fortified palace. The Maison Tavel showcases cellars where traders bartered their wares, as well as kitchen and apartment areas where the average Geneva denizen lived and worked. The Maison Tavel is also a prime example of the time period's civilian architecture.
Monument de La Réformation
Geneva, Switzerland
As a tribute to the city's Reformation founders – John Calvin, John Knox, Guillaume Farel and Théodore de Bèze – this impressive monument stands over 30 feet tall and over 300 feet long. Made of quartz and granite, the Monument de La Réformation sits on the ramparts at the promenade des Bastions. The statue is simplistic but its size is what attracts visitors. The monument features statues of additional Reformation leaders such as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli and Oliver Cromwell.
Palais des Nations
14, parc de l'Ariana, Av.de La Paix, Geneva, Switzerland CH- · 22-907-45-60
Built during the 1930s, the Palais des Nations was originally the home of the League of Nations until the organization went defunct after World War II. In the late 1940s the building became home to the European arm of the United Nations and now hosts thousands of conferences and delegate meetings yearly. The Palais des Nations has 34 meeting rooms and includes an Assembly Hall and a Council Chamber. The palais also has a variety of screenings and museum exhibits that showcase both the United Nations' and League of Nations' diplomatic contributions.
Place de Bourg-de-Four
rue Verdaine at rue des Chaudronniers, Geneva, Switzerland
The Place du Bourg-de-Four was originally a Roman cattle market, now it is the spot where bohemia meets high finance. The town square has a long history and people congregate around the square's 18th century flowered fountain. The Place du Bourg-de-Four is where locals gather to sit and sip coffee, leisurely stroll, or soak up the ambiance. The square displays a variety of architectural styles ranging from old medieval inns to convent façades.
Place Neuve
Geneva, Switzerland
One of the city's most popular meeting places, this town square is home to various cultural landmarks. There is a statue commemorating General Dufour, who helped found the Red Cross, as well as monuments to the Conservatory of Music and the local opera house, The Grand Theatre. Both monuments date back to the mid-1800s. Place Neuve is located near the rue de la Cerraterie and also leads in the tree-lined beauty of the Promenade des Bastions.
