historical sites in Geneva
Discover Geneva by day or night. There are lovely views, walks and things to do all year long.
Buy a Geneva Pass to receive discounts on tours, excursions, museums and more.
Walking Tours
Are a great way to discover a city. The Geneva Tourist Office lists Guided and Self-guided walking tours.
Promenade de la Treille is a lovely walk that leads from the gates of old town Geneva to Place Neuve. Stroll the lakefront on the Quai Wilson, Quai du Mont Blanc and the Quai du Général-Guisan. See more ideas below under Old Town Geneva and on our Activities page.
Buy a Geneva Pass to receive discounts on tours, excursions, museums and more.
Walking Tours
Are a great way to discover a city. The Geneva Tourist Office lists Guided and Self-guided walking tours.
Promenade de la Treille is a lovely walk that leads from the gates of old town Geneva to Place Neuve. Stroll the lakefront on the Quai Wilson, Quai du Mont Blanc and the Quai du Général-Guisan. See more ideas below under Old Town Geneva and on our Activities page.
Botanical Garden
Visit the 28 hectare Jardin Botanique, across the street from the World Trade Organization. In summer have lunch at the outdoor cafe, or at the buvet at nearby Chambesy Park. Chemin de l’Impératrice 1, Chambésy-Genève.
Clocks
See the Flower Clock on Quai du Général-Guisan in the Jardin Anglais (English Garden) and the Solar and Lazer Clock on Quai Wilson, near the Parc Perle du Lac.
Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)
Take the Savoie Steam Boat around the lake, visit beautiful villages along the way. Across the street from the boarding area is the Brunswick Monument on Quai du Mont Blanc. Rousseau Island (Île Rousseau) and Batiment Des Forces Motrices can be seen while walking across the bridge crossing the RhoneRiver - the Pont du Mont Blanc.
Monuments
The Swiss National Monument is located in the Jardin Anglais (English Garden). A monument to Charles Pictet de Rochemont - the man who invented the Canton of Geneva" is on the promenade area above Rue de Henry-Fazy, and the Brunswick Monument is on the Quai du Mont Blanc in a small park. The monument to the Reformation - Reformation Wall - is in the Parc des Bastions between Place Neuve and old town. In the center of the traffic circle is a statue of General Henri Dufour.
Plainpalais Cemetery
A peaceful oasis in the center of the city, the Plainpalais Cemetery is the final resting place of many of Geneva’s most prominent citizens including John Calvin, James Fazy, Augustin de Candolle, Henri Dufour, and Sergio Vieira de Mello, the late UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The cemetery is filled with interesting gravestones dating back to 1482.
Russian Church with golden onion domes can be found on Rue Toepffer.
Old Town Geneva
Stroll the cobblestone streets of old town on the Rue du Perron, Le Grand Rue, and on the Rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville for art galleries, antique shops and fine furniture. St. Peter's Cathedral (Cathedral St. Pierre) is at Place St. Pierre, and the Calvin Auditorium (Auditoire de Calvin) is around the corner at Place de la Taconnerie. Cannons from Geneva's ancient arsenal are located next to Les Armures Hotel/Restaurant on rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre. Maison Tavel at rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre 6 - is the oldest house in Geneva. Place du Bourg-de-Four - is the heart of old town Geneva. There you can find cafes, restaurants and shops, and the Palais du Justice (court and prison). The Reformation Monument is on the Promenade des Bastions, along the side of the Parc des Bastions.
Visit the 28 hectare Jardin Botanique, across the street from the World Trade Organization. In summer have lunch at the outdoor cafe, or at the buvet at nearby Chambesy Park. Chemin de l’Impératrice 1, Chambésy-Genève.
Clocks
See the Flower Clock on Quai du Général-Guisan in the Jardin Anglais (English Garden) and the Solar and Lazer Clock on Quai Wilson, near the Parc Perle du Lac.
Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)
Take the Savoie Steam Boat around the lake, visit beautiful villages along the way. Across the street from the boarding area is the Brunswick Monument on Quai du Mont Blanc. Rousseau Island (Île Rousseau) and Batiment Des Forces Motrices can be seen while walking across the bridge crossing the RhoneRiver - the Pont du Mont Blanc.
Monuments
The Swiss National Monument is located in the Jardin Anglais (English Garden). A monument to Charles Pictet de Rochemont - the man who invented the Canton of Geneva" is on the promenade area above Rue de Henry-Fazy, and the Brunswick Monument is on the Quai du Mont Blanc in a small park. The monument to the Reformation - Reformation Wall - is in the Parc des Bastions between Place Neuve and old town. In the center of the traffic circle is a statue of General Henri Dufour.
Plainpalais Cemetery
A peaceful oasis in the center of the city, the Plainpalais Cemetery is the final resting place of many of Geneva’s most prominent citizens including John Calvin, James Fazy, Augustin de Candolle, Henri Dufour, and Sergio Vieira de Mello, the late UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The cemetery is filled with interesting gravestones dating back to 1482.
Russian Church with golden onion domes can be found on Rue Toepffer.
Old Town Geneva
Stroll the cobblestone streets of old town on the Rue du Perron, Le Grand Rue, and on the Rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville for art galleries, antique shops and fine furniture. St. Peter's Cathedral (Cathedral St. Pierre) is at Place St. Pierre, and the Calvin Auditorium (Auditoire de Calvin) is around the corner at Place de la Taconnerie. Cannons from Geneva's ancient arsenal are located next to Les Armures Hotel/Restaurant on rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre. Maison Tavel at rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre 6 - is the oldest house in Geneva. Place du Bourg-de-Four - is the heart of old town Geneva. There you can find cafes, restaurants and shops, and the Palais du Justice (court and prison). The Reformation Monument is on the Promenade des Bastions, along the side of the Parc des Bastions.