There’s more to Geneva than watches, chocolates and banks. As the European home of the UN and the headquarters of the Red Cross, it’s one of Europe’s most international cities, with Lake Geneva and the Alps beyond making for an impressive backdrop.
Beneath this flawless exterior, lies a fascinating rough-cut diamond, peopled by artists and activists educated in international schools, drifters and denizens. Geneva’s counterculture dwells in Les Grottes, the Quartier des Pâquis and along the post-industrial Rhône where neighbourhood bars hum with attitude and energy. This is the Geneva of the ‘real’ Genevois…or as close as you’ll get to it.
Things to see
The Jet d’Eau
-The Jet d’Eau is one of the city’s famous landmarks – a 140-metrehigh tower of water shooting up on the lake. At any one time, 7,000 litres of water are in the air – a change of wind direction can result in getting drenched.
Conservatory and Botanical Garden
-Geneva’s premier botanical park – renowned for its Botanical Conservatory – boasts over 12,000 species of plants from around the world, meticulously arranged in a series of beautiful themed gardens. Highlights include a spectacular collection of roses and the loved-by-everyone Animal Park protecting ancient species of indigenous and often endangered animals as well as everyday chickens, goats and sheep and more exotic peacocks, flamingos and deer.
Lake Geneva
-The largest lake in Central Europe brings the drama and awe-inspiring natural splendour of the Alps to the centre of the city.
Nobody could blame you for wanting to get out and experience it, and the easiest way to do that is to catch a boat from the quay at Genève-Mt-Blanc.
These shoot off to a host of places on the shores of the lake: You could keep it local on a “mouette”, shuttling to the other side of the city, or go long distance and cruise to Lausanne in three hours.
The lake’s beauty has affected the design of the city itself, as a promenade was built around the shore in the mid-19th century.
Things to eat and drink
-With a bright pink façade, Gilles Desplanches is a place for serious Swiss chocolate connoisseurs – exquisitely crafted cakes and chocolates star alongside imaginative salads and savoury tarts. It can get very busy at lunchtime
-On y mange du poulet’ (‘We eat chicken’) is the mantra at Chez MA Cousine, serving up generous portions of chicken, potatoes and salad in a lively green and yellow dining room.
These are among the best restaurants in Geneva, there is also a variety of cuisines from around the world like Chinese, Indian, Italian etc.
Do comment in the comments section what your favourite cuisine is and don’t forget to like and follow my blogs…
For all the Vegans out there-
Switzerland is not an easy place to be vegan, but Geneva is the best. There are a handful of excellent purely vegan places, and many more vegan-friendly places – but the offering is rarely to the same standard as the non-vegan options. For the most part the word “Vegan” sufficed – but as with most of the French Speaking word, learn how to try and ask in French before asking if they speak English even if there’s no chance you can finish the question they’ll appreciate the attempt and are likely to be more helpful.
Not only this there is much more to do in Geneva but I do not want to give any spoilers so that’s it for today’s blog…..
I hope that these tips were helpful to all those people planning their next trip…
Hope to meet you in Geneva..
Measure the Earth with your feet!! 