'Must see' in Geneva
As you leave our NH Geneva City hotel, turn left and work your way around and behind the building until you see the Parc Geisendorf. This open green space offers you a fabulous opportunity for a morning run, if the hotel gym hasn’t already used up all of your energy, but for the purposes of our short tour it provides the ideal starting point. Follow the path south through the middle of the park until you reach Rue de Lyon, and then continue along Rue Voltaire where you will be met by the shores of the Rhône.
Take in the energizing view as you step across the flowing water and as you arrive on the other side why not grab a little pick-me-up at the rather cool Boréal Coffee Shop Stand, the brand’s flagship store. Enjoy their excellent caffeine selection, either cozy inside or out on the terrace.
The spacious Place de Nueve is just a few meters from the coffee shop, sitting below the old city walls, and gives you a feel of the cultural significance of Geneva. A Swiss hero, General Dufour, stands proudly in the middle of the square surrounded by the Rath Museum, the Opera House and the Conservatory, which are all worthy of a visit if time permits.
From there wander into the Parc des Bastions where there are two mandatory things to do in Geneva. First is the Reformation Wall, built in honor of Jean Calvin, Guillaume Farel, Théodore de Bèze and John Knox, the men at the forefront of the creation of Protestantism. The other interesting aspect of the park is the giant chessboard with human-sized pieces. Maybe you could challenge your friends to a team game and have some fun together. Continue down the Treille Promenade, a wonderfully leafy stroll to clear the senses. There, you should be able to find some space to sit on what is the world’s longest bench. At 120 meters there is usually room for everyone!
Depending on your hunger levels, our next point of interest could be the ideal spot to grab an available table. The Place du Bourg-de-four offers you several restaurants and cafes within a delightful little square, complete with the relaxing splashing track of the nearby fountains.
You don’t have to venture inside to be impressed with the Museum of Art and History there, as its façade will do that on its own, and then you can wander through the famously 'secret' passageway known as the Degrés de Poules. This brings you to another of the mandatory things to do in Geneva, to visit the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.
This cathedral was originally erected for the Catholic Church, however, before the mid-16th century it was a Protestant place of worship, with a minimalist interior as per the teachings of Calvin. One area inside that exudes opulence with its decor is the chapel of Maccabees. You can also peruse the original foundations of the church’s structure in the basement, or enjoy an impressive view if brave enough to take on the 157 steps of the tower. For more insight into the Reformation check out the Maison Mallet next door.
Continuing north back towards the water, another place to go that is in the list of what to do in Geneva is stopping off at the Molard Tower at Place du Molard, another wonderful construction from the end of the 16th century. From here, follow the river eastwards for a glimpse of an iconic symbol of Geneva: the Jet d’Eau. Originally a safety valve solution for a local water facility, this water jet is now a major tourist attraction, firing more than 500 liters as high as 140 meters into the sky. A far cry from the 30 meters initially required!
Once you’ve had your fill of this spectacular sight, work your way back along the shore and through the Jardin Anglais. This 'English Garden' is another green lung of the city and boasts a wonderful floral tribute to the nation’s watchmaking tradition, L’Horloge fleurie. Leave the park and cross back over the Rhône via the Pont du Mont-Blanc and head north along the Rue de Servette, which will take you back to the hotel.
