Explore Geneva

About Geneva

Geneva is the international Switzerland — the French-speaking city wrapped around the southwestern tip of Lake Geneva (Léman, Switzerland's largest lake), home to the European headquarters of the United Nations, the Red Cross, the World Trade Organization, CERN, and around 200 other international organisations, making it the world capital of diplomacy. The most photographed sight is the Jet d'Eau — the spectacular 140m-high water jet shooting from Lake Geneva, originally created in 1886 to relieve pressure from a city hydraulic plant and now the city's iconic symbol. The compact medieval Old Town (Vieille Ville) on the south bank, dominated by the dramatic St Peter's Cathedral (with the Calvin's chair preserved inside — the great Protestant reformer preached here for 25 years until his death in 1564), is the most rewarding walking area, with cobbled lanes leading to the picturesque Place du Bourg-de-Four (the oldest square in the city). The new International District north of the lake holds the brilliant United Nations Geneva (the Palais des Nations, with the dramatic Allee des Drapeaux and the moving Broken Chair anti-landmine sculpture), the powerful International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum (one of the most affecting museums anywhere on humanitarian work), and the imposing Reformation Wall in Parc des Bastions. Don't miss CERN (20km from the centre, free tours of the world's largest particle physics laboratory), a lake boat trip to Lausanne, and a fondue dinner in the Old Town.