Geneva Travel Guide
With a pleasant setting, green parks, colourful gardens and lakeside promenades, Geneva is considered one of the healthiest places to live in the world. The city sits astride the River Rhône, where it streams into Lake Geneva, and is set against a dramatic backdrop of mountains. At the lake’s south shore the Jet d’Eau shoots water 460ft (140m) into the sky from the end of a pier - the city’s landmark attraction and Europe’s most powerful fountain.
Undoubtedly Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan city, Geneva’s reputation for religious and political tolerance dates back more than five hundred years. In the 16th century the city spawned the religious teachings of John Calvin, and was where Lenin spent his ’years of recreation’. Little of their Puritanism is left today - stately homes line the banks of the lake, overlooking an armada of luxury yachts. Jewels and designer labels spill out of exclusive boutiques and into chauffer-driven limousines that slide down palatial avenues.
As well as a host of museums and fine galleries, Geneva has a lively cultural calendar. Most notable is the celebration of l’Escalade in December, which involves costumed and torch-lit processions through the town, and the consumption of sickly amounts of chocolate and marzipan.
Geneva is a gateway to Switzerland’s luxury ski resorts, an important banking centre and home to thousands of international delegates and diplomats. Among the many international organisations based in the city are the United Nations, the International Red Cross and the World Health Organisation.
Getting Around
Public transport consists of very dependable trams, buses and trolley buses that service the city quickly and efficiently, but if there is no hurry it is cheaper and more practical to walk or cycle; from May to October city bicycles can be borrowed from Genev’ Roule outside the main train station free of charge. The excellent bus and tram network operates from about 5am to midnight with a night bus service running on weekends. A basic fare costs Sfr2.20 and allows use of the network within Geneva’s central zone and unlimited transfers between buses and trams for an hour, or there are cheaper tickets limited to three stops and including a return journey within 30 minutes. Tickets must be pre-purchased and validated on boarding. One-day passes are also available. Taxis are plentiful but generally an expensive means of transport. Driving in the city is not recommended as parking is very difficult, but to tour around Lake Geneva hiring a car is the most practical way to get around. A national or international driver’s license is required, as well as a credit card, and drivers must be at least 21 years of age.
Attractions
Château de Chillon:
One of the best-maintained medieval castles in Europe, the 13th century Château de Chillon is the most visited historical building in Switzerland. With its stunning lakeside location near the chic town of Montreux, jutting out into the water and framed by mountains, it is one of the more frequently photographed castles in Europe. An important fortress in the Middle Ages, it was strategically positioned to control the narrow passage between mountains and lake protecting the major north-south route. It was also the favourite summer residence of the Counts of Savoy. Later it served as a state prison. Visitors can tour the dungeons where the castle’s most famous prisoner was chained for four years, the priest François Bonivard, a supporter of the Reformation. The fortress became famous when Lord Byron wrote about Bonivard’s fate in an inspired poem entitled Prisoner of Chillon. Besides the dungeons, visitors can wander round the towers and courtyards, discover narrow secret passages, and see the grand knight’s halls, frescoed chapel, luxurious bedchambers and rooms containing medieval weapons, furniture and paintings.
Address: Veytaux 1820, Vaud Telephone: (021) 966 8910 Email: chillon@worldcom.ch Website: www.chillon.ch Transport: Lake steamer from Lausanne to Montreux (one hour), or train to Montreux station (30 minutes) and then tram 1 to the castle Opening Time: Open daily from 9am to 6pm (April to September), 9.30am to 5pm (March and October), 10am to 4pm (January to February and November to December) Admission: Sfr10 (adults), Sfr5 (children up to 16). A guided tour costs Sfr6 extra for adults, no charge for children
Lake Geneva (Lac Leman):
The largest lake in central Europe and shared by both Switzerland and France, the romantic waters of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman to its French-speaking inhabitants) have for decades drawn visitors to its shores. Attracted by the alpine panorama, quaint wooden chalet villages, vineyard-covered slopes and sailboats skimming across the blue waters, many famous writers, musical composers, actors and poets came to settle on the shores and the area has become something of an inspiration to the arts. Situated in the westernmost district of Vaud, the region contains a diversity of attractions and activities, from wine-growing villages and mountain ski resorts, picturesque castles, and magnificent cathedrals, to low-key lakeside resorts, boat cruises, and cosy fireside pots of fondue. Sophisticated shopping and cultural life can be found in the cities of Geneva and Lausanne, with sweeping views across the sparkling lake to the Alps and the distinctive pinnacle of Mont Blanc. Among the vineyards and affluent villas clinging to the slopes lie the lakeside towns of Vevey and Montreux, the pearls of the Swiss Riviera. Scenic winding roads stretch along the shores, and train trips offers outstanding views, while below steamers crisscross the waters of Lake Geneva, offering a variety of ways to experience the splendour of its location.
Lausanne:
Picturesquely located on the shores of Lake Geneva, the youthful and energetic city of Lausanne is built above the lake on a sequence of tiers connected by a small metro. The upper or Old Town contains the grand Gothic cathedral, Notre-Dame; its turreted towers a well-known symbol of the city. The lower town on the lakeshore was once the small fishing village of Ouchy and is now the prime waterfront area with outdoor dining and cafes, promenades and sporting activities. The gardens around the Quay d’Ouchy are home to the city’s foremost attraction, the Olympic Museum, containing a wealth of sporting memories and a collection of unique objects pertaining to the Olympic Games from its beginning until the present. Lausanne relishes its importance as the Olympic World Capital and headquarters of the International Olympic Committee.
Website: www.lausanne-tourisme.ch Transport: Lausanne is a 40-minute train journey from Geneva
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