3 Places You must See When you Visit Geneva, Switzerland

Welcome to the city of the treaties, of the clocks, of the thousand parks, of the Reformation, welcome to the French Switzerland that smells like fondeau. A modern and pulsating city with an exciting history of Celts, dukes, and thinkers that continues to echo in every corner, and you will surely fall in love with the 12 places you can’t miss during your visit.

A good way to do it can be by taking a panoramic tour that includes a boat tour, a panoramic tour that includes a boat trip.

If you are looking for an adrenaline and adventure vacation, this may not be the destination. Rather it is a peaceful and cultural journey to get lost in its always peaceful and silent atmosphere, embraced by the Swiss Alps and bathed by the largest lake in Central Europe (that’s why the Celts called it “Leman”, which wants to say Big Water). Nothing wrong, no?

You must know that you are or will travel to the second city of Switzerland by size and importance. It has 200 thousand inhabitants, but it is perfect to walk it on foot.

The origin of its name is Celtic, and it always tops the lists of the cities with the highest quality of life. It is, was and will be the headquarters of more than 250 international organizations, so its population is the most cosmopolitan. And in spite of so much movement, it is “the capital of peace”. Here are few of the best things to do in Geneva.

1. Maison Tavel

We think it’s the perfect place to start. There the Museum of urban history works since 1986. It is an old bourgeois mansion, where all the exhibits illustrate the daily life of the Genevans from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.

Each piece of furniture, ornamentation, and detail tells a fascinating story. You can see belongings of the Counts (of Geneva and Savoy), silver and tin dishes, kitchen utensils, etc. In the basement, evocations of commerce are exhibited, like ancient systems of weights and coins.

2. Saint-Pierre Cathedral (Geneva Cathedral)

A few meters from the Maison Tavel and overlooking the city from the top of the historic center, you can visit the Cathedral of Geneva. Its origins go back to the XII, and in it, you can see different architectural styles, such as Gothic, Romanesque and Neoclassical, united in perfect harmony.

It is also full of history and will be the first of many places where they talk to you about Calvin, the leader of the Protestant Reformation, since this was his “mother church”, being able to see here a wooden chair that he used. Also, from here, if you dare to climb the 157 steps of the north tower, you will have one of the best views of Geneva.

3. Monument to the Reformation (Wall of the reformers)

Cross the Promenade de la Treille park to reach the Parc des Bastions. In its center, you will be surprised by one of the tourist icons of Geneva … and of history! If it is a question of famous walls, it is still on the list of those of Berlin and that of the Laments.

You will find a stone wall almost 100 meters long and nine meters high, decorated with the statues of the “guardians” of the Protestant Reformation.

It was built at the beginning of the 20th century to remember the fourth centenary of the birth of Calvin. Its construction was possible thanks to the contribution of faithful Protestants from different parts of the world.

Both the large statues of the front and side, and each of the details of the bas-reliefs, tell the events of the religious upheaval in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, pay tribute to its protagonists and leave anyone breathless to be captivated for the beauty and the story of this Monument, which transcends any cult or devotion.

Do not leave the park without visiting the Place Neuve, which is located at the exit and is considered the cultural epicenter of Geneva. If you are a friend of art, take some time to explore it. You will visit the Conservatory of Music (1858), the Rath Museum (1826) and the Grand Theater (1879).

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