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Popular attractions in Geneva

Tourists are usually eager to visit the Jet d'Eau, the most famous landmark in Geneva. But Vienna’s residents know that the real treasures lie in Old Town (vielle ville) where visitors can get an idea of life in Geneva during the 18th century. From there, it’s a short uphill climb to the Cathédrale St-Pierre and its archaeological excavation and a brief walk to a host of other attractions.

Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Geneva.

The Jet d'Eau
Located at Lake Geneva, the Jet d'Eau is a water fountain that spews water 140 meters up into the sky. It was originally conceived to release pressure from the Rhône River and, in 1891, the city decided to make the fountain a permanent display. The best time to admire the Jet d'Eau is at night when the lights are on. Make sure to watch it from a distance unless you want to have an impromptu shower. Admission is free.

Cathédrale St-Pierre
Located at Place St. Pierre atop the old town, Cathédrale St-Pierre is now visited mostly for the old archaeological site dating back to the 3rd century BC and until the old cathedral was built in the 12th century. An underground passage connects the International Museum of the Reformation to the old cathedral. Another building, the Auditoire, houses the Espace Saint-Pierre, a museum devoted to both tradition and modernity.

International Museum of the Reformation
This museum traces the history of the Reformation movement in Geneva through rare books, old manuscripts, paintings and other relics of the Reformation. It now boasts of a state-of-the-art audio-visual presentation that sheds light on the Reformation’s spiritual and cultural elements.

Palais des Nations
Located at 14 Avenue de la Paix, the former headquarters of the League of Nations boasts of beautifully manicured grounds, a spectacular Assembly Hall and a formidable collection of art. You’ll need your passport to gain entry.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
This is one of the best museums in Europe and a tribute to the Red Cross, which was founded in Geneva. It is a testament to the organization’s service to people everywhere during times of war and natural disasters. The photos and display items found here are striking.

Musée ARIANA
Located at Avenue de la Paix 10, this museum contains over 16,000 ceramic items found in Asia and Europe. It’s located at the previous site of the United Nations building.

Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Located on the waterfront, the conservatory has over 16,000 international plant species.

CERN
Funded by 20 countries, CERN is a science and technology think tank that studies particle physics and occasionally introduces new inventions such as the World Wide Web. It has a popular Microcosm display that features the Big Bang and other phenomena. Guided tours are available.

Musée d'Art et d'Histoire
Located in Old Town, this museum was conceptualized as an encyclopedic museum devoted to the history of western culture. It has a huge collection of painting, sculptures and displays.

Musée d'Histoire Naturelle
Also located in Old Town, this museum is famous for featuring the stuffed bodies of every tiger species ever recorded. Children love it here.

Patek Phillipe Museum
Fans of Swiss watches or watches in general will be impressed by the extensive collection of quality timepieces on display here. The oldest watch dates back to the 13th century and is still ticking. Most of the watches were made in Geneva and other places in Switzerland.

Promenade des Bastions
It’s a huge monument to Reformation featuring statues of the forefathers of the movement. There are smaller statues that depict important moments in Reformation history.

Tour de L'Île
Located in Old Town, the ruins of the Tour de L'Île fortress are impressive. It was once a key fortification of the medieval city.