Bienvenue à Genève

Situated along the banks of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps, Geneva sparkles as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Today, the second most populous city in Switzerland is a cultural centre second to none when it comes to featuring world class entertainment, top rated restaurants and unlimited opportunities for recreation. This week, Lara Nuchowicz takes you to the 10 places you must visit in Geneva...

Some street shopping
Rue du Marché, the commercial street without cars, is where everybody meets in Geneva to shop, eat and have fun! Do not miss the Swatch shop for its Swiss-made watches, the chocolate at Auer and the famous cigars at Davidoff! Right in the center of Geneva you will find—coffee shops and tearooms such as Starbucks or Martel; fashion clothing including Maje, Butterfly, Zadig et Voltaire and Hot box; theatres at Confederation Centre; department stores like Bongenie and Globus where you will find everything from food stores to women/mens clothing and accessories. Parallel to the commercial street of Geneva, take a walk on one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world — Rue du Rhone. Gawk at the fashion and jewellery stores lining Geneva’s most extravagant streets, but try not to look at the price tags! Repose at one of the cafés at Place du Molard or Place de la Fusterie for some first class people watching.

Ready for a little walk?
Carouge is where Geneva goes to unwind. Outside the city walls, with its Italian architecture, Carouge was in the mid-18th century a parcel of land belonging to the King of Sardinia, who hoped it would provide refuge for Catholics from a puritanical Protestant Geneva.

Listed as one of the most charming districts in Geneva, it has developed over the years into something of a bohemian centre, with all sorts of artistic activities that will keep you going during the day and a wide selection of bars and restaurants to occupy you through the night. The Place du Marché forms the heart of the district, with its quirky Italianate church at one end and a regular produce market which has been in operation for over 300 years on the other. Stop for a cafe a la creme at Café  des Negociants.

Let’s go to the lake
Don’t miss the beautiful and blissful sight of the Lac Leman, the largest lake in central Europe. Set against the backdrop of the Alps with Mont Blanc dominating the skyline, the lake is a little piece of heaven in the mountains. No trip to Geneva would be complete without visiting the Jet d’Eau, the tallest water fountain in the world. Water is projected 140metres into the air at a speed of over 125mph, creating a breathtaking spectacle! Enjoy the show from the Pont du Mont Blanc, just after passing by the universally known Flower Clock, made up of 6,500 flowers, which symbolises the Swiss clock and watch industry.

Visit the place of peace
The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) is the second largest United Nations centre after the headquarters in New York. Erected sometime between 1929 and 1936 on land donated by the city of Geneva, UNOG is housed in the Palais des Nations, an outstanding testimony to 20th century architecture, situated in a beautiful park overlooking Lake Geneva. It contains the largest conference room in the world with 2,000 seats.

Each year, over 25,000 delegates from around the world gather here to negotiate peace in the world. Follow it up by a visit to one of the most popular museums in Geneva—the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The museum traces the history of the world’s first humanitarian organization from its humble beginnings through modern day. The museum features a multi-media extravaganza that overwhelms the senses and provides access to the latest news and film footage taken straight from today’s headlines.

The best meats
Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, for the last 20 years, is the one place to eat meat at its the best and the set menu is particularly famous. The French restaurant is now internationally known especially for the rib steak served with the best chips and sauce. Do not miss the crème brûlée or the tartelette au framboise or the cheese plater for your dessert.

Discover old Geneva
You obviously have to do a promenade tour in the Old Town. Geneva’s old town offers hours of exploration, with its narrow alleyways, concealed courtyards, charming squares and art shops. It is also the perfect place if you want to dawdle in front of elegant windows full of beautiful antiquities, old books and invaluable works of art.

You can visit the St Pierre Cathedral and climb the North tower’s 157 steps for breathtaking views of the city and the lake. Stop at the Bourg du Four, an historic town square in the heart of old Geneva. With its famous fountain of the 18th century, you will also find some charming coffee places and terraces like La Clemence, the hottest and trendiest meeting point for the young generation today.

Feeling peckish?
Since its opening, Luigia is always crowded! The Italian restaurant, where everybody meets, is the place to get a quick and tasty meal with friends, family or even a business meeting. Simple, authentic and at Italian prices, Luigia is above all an homage to the ‘cuisine of the Italian mamma’ prepared with passion and love. The place is not only about the food though. Its friendly atmosphere is a part of its fame too. There’s no need to make reservations here. Just head to the restaurant and be ready to be served like royalty!

Time travel
Housed in a 20th-century building, the Patek Philippe Museum introduces you to 500 years of watchmaking history. This museum invites you to discover the origins of this accessory, since its founding in 1839, through its magnificent collections of Swiss, Genevan and European watchmaking and enamels from the 16-20th century. Discover how a passion for timepieces has brought together an extraordinary display of watches, musical automata and portrait miniatures from the 16th to the 19th century, in addition to a library dedicated entirely to horology and its related subjects.

Put on your hiking boots
Often called the balcony of Geneva, Salève is the place to go on a sunny Sunday. Ride the gondola to Geneva’s mountains and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding Alps and the city below. Of course if you’re feeling fit, you can hike up along one of Salève’s many marked trails. In summer, you can pack a picnic and enjoy the pure and fresh mountain air but when it is snowing don’t forget your gloves and helmet for a slide on the ski-rail! At only 15 minutes from Geneva’s center, you must enjoy this real mountain trip!

Nocturnal adventures
Theophilus is a bar with cosy atmosphere and club armchairs. The welcome is warm and for those who are hungry, there are tapas to munch on. Wine lovers will be happy to drink a glass of white or red and for the others, lots of different cocktails are on the menu. Theophilus is where everyone, old and young hangout and the music ranges from lounge to casual. Now, if you prefer clubs to lounge bars, check out Bypass - a mainstay on Geneva’s late-night circuit with a VIP area and DJs from all over Europe and USA, playing hip-hop and house music.