Geneva Sights

  1. Cathédrale de St Pierre

    Cathédrale St Pierre is where John Calvin preached from 1536 to 1564. The cathedral rests on a significant archaeological site. A visit reveals some fine 4th-century mosaics and a 5th-century baptismal font.

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  2. International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum

    The International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum is a compelling multimedia trawl through atrocities perpetuated by humanity in recent history. Against the long litany of war and nastiness, documented in films, photos, sculptures and soundtracks, are set the noble aims of the organisation.

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  3. Jardin Botanique

    In the north of the city is the impressive Jardin Botanique with exotic plants and an aviary.

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  4. Jet d'Eau

    Calling the Jet d'Eau a fountain is an understatement. The water shoots up with incredible force (200km/h, 1360HP), to create a 140m-high plume. At any one time there are seven tonnes of water in the air, and much of it falls on spectators who venture out on the pier.

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  5. Musée Barbier-Mueller

    A good place on a rainy day or just to re-enact your favorite scenes from Indiana Jones , this museum houses an impressive collection of objects from so-called primitive societies, ranging from South American pre-Columbian art treasures to Pacific island statues, shields and weapons from Africa and more.

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  7. Musée d'Art et d'Histoire

    Musée d'Art et d'Histoire has a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, weapons and archaeological displays.

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  8. Musée d'Histoire Naturelle

    Musée d'Histoire Naturelle is the place to check out every species of tiger known to man, stuffed for perpetuity. It's a good place to bring the kids.

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  9. Musée International de la Réforme

    Trace the life of protestant John Calvin in the Musée International de la Réforme (International Museum of Reformation). He preached at the nearby Cathédrale de St-Pierre between 1536 and 1564, which is also worth a visit.

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  10. Palais des Nations

    The Art Deco Palais des Nations is the European arm of the UN and the home of 3000 international civil servants. You can see where decisions about world affairs are made on the hour-long tour (bring your passport to get in). Afterwards check out the extensive gardens - don't miss the towering grey monument coated with heat-resistant titanium donated by the USSR to commemorate the conquest of space.

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  11. Patek Phillipe Museum

    Like to watch? This extensive collection shows off the precision art and elaborate decoration involved in the making of quality time-pieces. The watches on show date as far back as the 16th century and were mostly assembled in Geneva or elsewhere in Switzerland.

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  13. Promenade des Bastions

    Promenade des Bastions, containing a massive monument to the Reformation: the giant figures of Bèze, Calvin, Farel and Knox are flanked by smaller statues of other important figures and depictions of events instrumental in the spread of the movement.

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  14. Rousseau's Birthplace

    Walk south down the narrow, cobbled Rue de la Cité until it becomes Grand-Rue. Rousseau's birthplace is at No 40.

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  15. Tour de L'Île

    Along the southern side of the Rhône is the 13th-century Tour de L'Île, once part of the medieval city fortifications.

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