With its charming villages, idyllic towns and breathtaking views Switzerland’s beautiful alpine landscapes along with its crystal clear lakes and tidy cities continues to draw tourists from all corners of the globe. After all, Switzerland is known for its world class museums, lively art centers and fine dining. The picturesque city of Geneva surrounded by the Jura and Alp mountains is dripping with rich historical sites and landmarks that definitely warrant a visit, consider a few hidden gems that are worth discovering.
Explore La Treille Park
Geneva’s quaint cobblestone old town has a rich historical trove of historical artifacts, museums and a walking scenic route like no other. A short walk from the old town you will come across La Treille park, located on a hilltop it provides a tantalizing view of the city, enabling you to capture some of the tranquil scenes its known for. It is also home to arguably one of the world’s longest benches. Built in 1767 the bench is approximately 41 feet (125) meters long and is made up of 180 wooden boards. On a bright summer day, you can easily capture a glimpse of the Saleve and Jura mountains under the shade of the surrounding chestnut trees. It provides the perfect setting for couples to meet up and unwind. It is also surrounded by swings and a playground adding to the family friendly atmosphere Geneva is known for.
Urban History at Maison Tavel
Tucked around a quiet corner of the old town is Maison Tavel (Tavel House) considered the oldest private house in Geneva. It was converted into a museum showcasing Geneva’s rich historical heritage, with an insider’s look at the history of Geneva during the medieval times. The museum tells the story of Swiss urban life with exhibitions spreading over five floors. Built in the 12th century, it was reconstructed in 1334 after a devastating fire. The city of Geneva purchased the house in 1963 and converted it into a museum in 1986. The most interesting facet of the museum is an exhibit in its attic, a 3D map of Geneva as it stood in 1850.
Geneva’s Waterways
Another exciting way to explore the city is to stop by Pointe de la Jonction. Renowned as the meeting point for two major rivers the Rhone and the Arve. On a busy summer’s day, it’s a popular hotspot for kayaking. Deck chairs and a local bar complement the area, creating the perfect space for the crowds to witness this fascinating landmark. Locals flock during the summer to see the point where the rivers meet, both rivers have distinctive colors. The southern river Arve is more rapid, carrying with it more sand that’s why it’s almost milky white in color, while the Rhone is much slower and darker. You can see the two rivers meet from the junction bridge which is 40 meters after Jonction. Jumping from the bridge to swim in the river is forbidden, yet many take the plunge.
Indulge with a Cheese Fondue
One cannot visit Switzerland and particularly Geneva without sampling Swiss fondue. One of the most iconic spots to do so would be at La Buvette des Bains. Ideal for sampling the local’s way of life, this restaurant buzzes with excitement especially at summer it includes many traditional Swiss specialties. Located in Bains des Paquis, from September to April after 6 pm the restaurant attracts many visitors eager to sample its most famous specialty, Swiss fondue. La Buvette des Bains also provides exciting views of the shores of Lake Geneva, where it is customary to see many swimming and lounging around in the sun.
Sample Exquisite Swiss Chocolate
What do you do in Geneva on the weekends? There is a lot see and do, particularly of interest is the fun factor of getting out of the city to explore its sights. One of the best ways you can do this is by exploring Geneva’s rich heritage. Paying homage to the Swiss chocolate industry, stop by Maison Cailler Switzerland’s oldest chocolate factory. Located in Broc, it is minutes away from the medieval town of Gruyere. The Maison Cailler chocolate factory pays tribute to its founding father Francois Louis Cailler one of the pioneering Swiss chocolatiers, it was established by Cailler’s grandson Alexander Louise Cailler.
Producing chocolates since 1898, the factory is brimming with rich historical information on how sweet milk chocolate bars came into existence. A series of sound and visual effects complement the interactive tour available in several languages. The tour ends in the large sampling room where you can taste to your heart’s content a variety of chocolates to your sweet tooth’s delight, to satisfy the most dazzling taste buds. The factory also has an educational center where both children and adults can create their own chocolate recipes, and a shop selling Swiss chocolates and souvenirs.
Shop at Plainpalais Market
Another way to explore Geneva off the beaten path is to stop at its weekend market in Plainpalais. Ideal for bargain hunters, Plainpalais market is one sure way to find hidden treasures at an affordable price. The market sells everything from fresh produce, cheeses, jewelry, books, furniture, antiques and much more. The market takes place in the big square at the center of Plainpalais, you are guaranteed to find stalls every Saturday even on a snowy or rainy day.
Visit the Largest Physics Lab
One of the quirkiest ways to explore Geneva’s scientific side is to visit CERN. Located on the Swiss-French border near the Jura mountains, the European Organization for Nuclear Research is one of the world’s largest physics labs. It provides an exciting look into some of the world’s most remarkable scientific feats. The biggest of these is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) a hollow donut cylinder buried beneath the ground commonly used for scientific research. The LHC spins at the speed of light, scientists drop sub-atomic particles and spin them to discover new particles and gain insights into the makeup of stars.
Among the exhibits open to the public are the Globe of Science and Innovation and the Microcosm exhibits, individual and group tours are available in both English and French. Tours also include a stop by ATLAS where you can see first-hand scientists at work and check out the decommissioned Synchrocyclotron CERN’S first accelerator developed in 1957.
With all it has to offer, one can truly say that Geneva is an exciting city that’s worth visiting year-round. While it may seem serene and calm, the French speaking city nestled between the Alps has much more than historical, cultural and natural beauty, it has an exceptional quirky personality waiting to be discovered!
