Embedded between nearby Alpine peaks and the hilly terrain of the Jura, the French-speaking city of Geneva lies in the bay where the Rhone leaves Lake Geneva. With its humanitarian tradition and cosmopolitan flair, the European seat of the UNO and headquarters of the Red Cross is known as the "capital of peace".
The symbol of the «world’s smallest metropolis» is the "Jet d’eau" – a fountain with a 140-meter-high water jet at the periphery of Lake Geneva. Most of the large hotels and many restaurants are situated on the right-hand shore of the lake. The old town, the heart of Geneva with the shopping and business quarter, holds sway over the left-hand shore. It is dominated by St. Peter’s Cathedral, however the actual center of the old town is the Place du Bourg-de-Four, which is the oldest square in the city. Quays, lakeside promenades, countless parks, lively side streets in the old town and elegant shops invite guests to stroll. One of the best-maintained streets is the Grand-Rue, where Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born. The «mouettes», a type of water taxi, enable crossings to be made from one lakeshore to the other, while larger vessels invite visitors to enjoy cruises on Lake Geneva.
Geneva is Switzerland’s most international city, as it is where the European seat of the UNO is based. Even the International Red Cross directs its humanitarian campaigns from here. Besides being a congress city, Geneva is also a center for culture and history, for trade fairs and exhibitions. The «Horloge Fleuri», the large flower clock in the "Jardin Anglais" (English Garden), is a world-renowned symbol of the Geneva watch industry.
Culturally, this city on the westernmost fringe of Switzerland has much to offer. International artists perform in the Grand Théâtre and Geneva Opera House, and an extremely diverse range of museums such as the "Musée international de l'horlogerie", a watch museum with a collection of jewelry, watches and musical clocks, and the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which provides an insight into the work of these humanitarian organizations, invite city guests to visit them.
A rewarding excursion destination is Mont Salève, which is situated in neighboring France. The cableway lifts visitors to an altitude of 1100 meters in less than five minutes, giving rise to outstanding vistas across the city of Geneva, Lake Geneva, the chain of Alps, the Jura and Montblanc.
Sponsor of the MONDE DU CIRQUE, Geneva 2010
For the entire year of 2010, Geneva will become the first international capital of the Circus World. Thousands of artists and circuses from the entire world will come to Geneva in order to offer a never-before presented program.
MONDE DU CIRQUE www.worldcircus.org – created and established by Youri Messen-Jaschin in 1985 – set itself the goal to pay attention to environmental protection during the entire festival. All those involved with the world circus will, for example, travel around on Segways (personal transporters).
All profits will flow into the "Water for Life" project (EUWI), wherein Youri Messen-Jaschin personally, accompanied by his friends and local people, will tend to the building of fountains and the distribution of water filters to children.
Special Offers from Geneva
Information courtesy of Switzerland Tourism
www.myswitzerland.com
