Geneva, Switzerland – The day I moved to Geneva, I was greeted at the airport by our very first visitors to Switzerland (long story!). Ever since then, we find ourselves asking the same question when we are expecting visitors; where to take out-of-town guests in Geneva? A question of particular importance when the visitor is only staying for a few hours, or has decided to stay for a day only.

If you find yourself in a similar situation here are some tips:

First of all search for Un Grand Weekend a Geneve, a pocket guide to Geneva. Found free at the library, or available for a few francs at any bookstore. The guide, published in French only, is a good, quick, what-to-do-in-town-with-out-of-town-guests kind of book.

Saint Peter's Cathedral in Geneva

With the help of the guide and by exploring the city I have come up with a few destinations of my own.

Here is the first one: Old Town and Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Geneva.

It is a 6-minute walk from the train station known in French as La Gare, (says the Geneva Tourism Bureau.)

Think of historical Geneva as two neighborhoods: Vielle-Ville or Old Town, and the  Rues Basses or Lower Streets.

At the heart of the Old Town is Saint Peter’s Cathedral.

If you have time, visit the archeological site at the cathedral. If you visit during La Fete de l’Escalade you may be lucky enough to take a tour of the tower where you will find unrestricted views of the city and the lake.

St. Peter's Chapel ceiling

A friend visiting from Houston found Saint Peter’s to be “too simple.” I disagree. I find that it is magnificent in its austerity and that the chapel is charming and intricately gorgeous.

Outside the cathedral follow the winding, cobblestone streets to find the Hotel de Ville, the Bourg de Four Plaza, the Madeleine Church and its famous  stained glass windows, Maison Tavel (the oldest house in Geneva and now a museum), Rousseau’s museum – the house were the philosopher was born is open to the public by appointment and to groups only, and don’t forget to visit the Geneva main library with its nice reading room on the 4th floor.

On the southeastern edge of Old Town, the Cabinet des Estampes and the Art and History Museum awaits you, two of seven museums that make up one of the largest museum groups in Switzerland.

The Old Town is full of restaurants, luxury shops and fun bars, and you can spend all day wandering the narrow streets,and enjoying the sights, if time allows.

Rues Basses

The Rues Basses surround the Old Town from the lake side. To my mind, one of the most interesting and picturesque areas to see here is the Jardin Anglais, or English Garden, and its view of Lake Geneva.

Find all the “hip stores and restaurants” in the Old Town and Rues Basses by visiting UrbanMap an Internet site that shows you the coolest shops along your tourist route. The hard copy of their guide is delightfully small, perfect for those wanting to keep their purses light for… some shopping.

Happy discovering!

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.