Geneva

Geneva has long been Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan city. Located at the edge of Lake Geneva, it is a beautiful mostly French-speaking city. It is widely regarded as a global city, mainly due to the presence of numerous international organisations, including the European headquarters of the United Nations.

The old town lies adjacent to the Rhône River and is a characterised by quiet cobbled streets and tall, grey stone houses. The centre of the old town is dominated by St Pierre Cathedral, which is partially Romanesque and partially Gothic in style. In 1535, the people of Geneva embarked on a rampage of the church, destroying all of the altars, statues and icons. The organs were smashed and the painted decoration on the interior walls was whitewashed. Only the great pulpit and the stained glass of the chancel survived.

The old town is also home to the oldest house in Geneva, Maison Tavel. The house was maintained by various noble families until it was bought by the city in 1963 to display items tracing the history of life in Geneva. The nearby Place du Bourg-de-Four is the oldest square in Geneva and was once a Roman forum, but has today it has evolved into a bustling marketplace.

Geneva has many fine museums to choose from. The Museum of Art and History (Musee d'Art et d'Histoire) is home to a diverse collection of artefacts, from ancient Egypt through to modern times. The Natural History Museum (Museum d'Histoire Naturelle) is a fantastic experience for all of the family. Other museums include the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, The Horology Museum and the Voltaire Museum.

Geneva is situated among some of Europe’s most attractive scenery. Lake Geneva, the Jura and the Alps are all easily reachable in a day by car, and just a short drive will take you to the hills and meadows of Edelweiss. CERN is also a short drive from the city and makes a fascinating day out for science lovers, giving a behind the scenes look into what goes on at the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.

Geneva International Airport is an important hub for Europe, with flights to many major cities worldwide. Roads are safe and well-maintained in Switzerland, with an excellent motorway network. Trains run several times a day to Zurich via Bern, and also to several other major cities, while buses service many smaller destinations.