Sightseeing
Recently one of the host cities of the Euro 2008 Football Championships, Geneva has much more to offer than a few sports stadiums and footballs! In fact its one of the most international destinations you can visit, with many of the star attractions being the headquarters of our world's diplomatic organizations. Museums, parks and beautiful architecture all feature throughout Geneva.
International Organizations
One of the most important features of Geneva is it's role as the home of some of the world's most important diplomatic organizations. Many of these groups welcome visitors into their establishments and some have even set up museums and displays.
The United Nations is one of these organizations that encourages public interaction. Based close to the shores of Lake Geneva in the beautiful Ariana Park, the United Nations Office is located in Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations), one of Geneva's most famous buildings. There is a daily guided tour through the Palais. The art gallery and Assembly hall are particular features. Located in a different building - the Palais Wilson - the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights also has a Visitor Centre, whilst the High Commissioner for Refugees has a Visitor Centre and a well-stocked library.
Another interesting organization which happily welcomes tourists is CERN - the European Organization for Nuclear Research. CERN are in the process of building a particle-accelerator under the ground beneath Switzerland and France, and their Microcosm Museum at their headquarters explains this process and many other interesting experiments.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which also has its headquarters in Geneva, runs one of the city's most popular musuems - the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. The Museum aims to educate visitors in the ways that the Red Cross helps those in need.
Museums
As one of the main cities involved in the Reformation and as the base of John Calvin, it should come as no surprise that Geneva has a number of monuments and a museum dedicated to the Reformation. The Reformation Wall and the International Monument to the Reformation are situated within the Calvin-founded University of Geneva. The International Museum of the Reformation, relatively newly opened, is located next door to St Pierre Cathedral.
Other museums of note within Geneva include the Natural History Museum, which has free entry, and the Musee d'Art Moderne et Contemporain, which showcases both Swiss and international artists.
Lake Geneva and Surrounds
Some of the most popular tourist spots in Geneva are situated around the beautiful lake that shares the city's name. The most recognizable of these sights is the Jet d'Eau, the symbol of Geneva and one that is visible both day and night (it is lit with beautiful colours at night time). The fountain has been known to spray unsuspecting tourists when the wind changes and is popular especially in the summer months.
Also on the lake front is the beautiful Jardin Anglais (English Garden), established in 1854 and home to the National Monument. The Brunswick Monument (the tomb of Charles II of Brunswick) is also nearby, as is the Paquis jetty, baths and light house.
The Old Town and inner-city area
Known for its beautiful architecture, the Old Town is home to a number of Geneva's key sights. the Place du Bourg-de-Four, the Place de la Madeleine (and the Temple de la Madeleine), the Molard Tower and the Old Arsenal are all within easy walking distance of one another within the Old Town district.
Also well worth checking out are the Town Hall, the Place Neuve (home to the Grand Theatre opera-house, the Rath Museum and the Victoria Hall) and the Plainpalais cemetery, the resting place of John Calvin himself.
Churches
As a centre of religious thought for many years it is not surprising that Geneva has a large number of significant churches, not least the home church of John Calvin, St Pierre Cathedral. The Cathedral - believed to have been built in the 12th century on a structure which had been there for much longer - now houses a wooden chair used by John Calvin as well as a tower open to tourists which gives a spectacular view across Geneva. The archaeological dig under-way under the Cathedral is also open to the public.
Other churches and religious buildings of note include the Basilica of Notre-Dame, the Russian Orthodox Church, the Fustiere Temple, the Saint Gervais Temple and the Saint German Church, the latter of which was built in the 13th century.
Natural Sights
Geneva is not just a city of urban delights, it is also a fantastic place to explore the great outdoors. Although it is located just across the French border, the Telepherique du Saleve peak (known just as Saleve by locals) provides a fantastic view over Lake Geneva and the city and is accessed by cable-car and walking tracks.
The Parc des Eaux Vives, meanwhile, provides a look-out over the Palais des Nations and the United Nations precinct, whilst the Parc des Bastions surrounds the University of Geneva. The Bois de la Batie, meanwhile, contains a small zoo and many hiking tracks.
