The Watch Capitol of the world is no doubt Genève, Switzerland. Many, if not all, of the major buildings that surround Lake Léman are adorned with signs from almost every watch manufacturer in Switzerland.

Lake Léman – Clock Manufacturer Signs – Geneva, Switzerland

Though one would have thought that at this point, old mechanical watches would have out-grown their usefulness, but there must still be enough interest in them to support all the manufacturers. Apparently it is more like the diamond trade, than a typical consumer item.

Geneva – The City

It is difficult to categorize Geneva since the city appears to have many different sections and subsequently a different look and feel around every corner. It some places almost haphazard, where a blend of modern and provincial architectures are often seen close together.

Lake Léman – Brunswick Monument – Geneva, Switzerland

Lake Léman – Point Mount Blanc – Geneva, Switzerland

English Gardens – Fountain of the Four Seasons – Geneva, Switzerland

Fountain du Perron – Geneva, Switzerland

Grand Theater of Geneva – Geneva, Switzerland

Rue de la Corraterie – Geneva, Switzerland

Tour de L’Ille – Tower of the Isle – Geneva, Switzerland

Fontaine de l’Escalade – Geneva, Switzerland

Molard Plaza – Molard Clock Tower and Old Gate – Geneva, Switzerland

Lake Léman – Jet d’Eau or Jet of Water – Geneva, Switzerland

Hotel Edelweiss

A three star hotel in the Cornavin area of the city. It sits a few blocks from the lake on the north side of the city. Conveniently located to the train station and the lake cruise station, it is a quiet little hotel with a restaurant. The rooms are adequate, though the air conditioning does not work until some undisclosed time in late spring, so your room can be uncomfortable with the sun coming in, so opening the windows is a must.

Lake Léman

Of course the main attraction in Geneva is Lake Léman and the start of the River Rhone. It is a very clear lake and does not appear very large near Geneva, but as you travel out further on the lake it widens into a formidable body of water.

Lake Léman – Lighthouse – Geneva, Switzerland

City Parks

There are numerous parks throughout the city, enough to call Geneva a Green City. Though you may not agree or enjoy some of the haphazard architecture that composes the city, they were mindful enough to include a lot of green space throughout it environs.

Banc de la Treille – Longest Bench – Geneva, Switzerland

Bastion Park

One of the main parks, Bastion Park, is located across from the Geneva Theatre and contains the Reformation Wall. It is a very nice park for an afternoon stroll and to cool off. Many of its walkways are shaded and there are fountains where you may collect water for drinking.

Bastion Park – Luther’s Reformation Wall – Geneva, Switzerland

Bastion Park – Water Fountain – Geneva, Switzerland

Bastion Park – Old Fortress Wall – Geneva, Switzerland

Park du Pin

A smaller park further to the east is Park du Pin. It resides on the knob of hill with many pines and other shrubbery. Strolling through it is enough to take your mind off the busy streets that are around it. On the top, there is seating where one can enjoy the breeze that blows in from the lake.

Promenade du Pin – Overlook – Geneva, Switzerland

Promenade du Pin – Statue – Geneva, Switzerland

Botanical Gardens

Not far from the center of the city on the N15 tram are the Botanical Gardens of Geneva. An impressive collection of species from every continent adorn this park. It is strategically located close to the Genève-Sécheron train station as well, which also provides commuter transportation for the United Nations in Geneva.

Broken Chair – Patti – Geneva, Switzerland

N15 Tram – Nations Stop – Geneva, Switzerland

United Nations – Flags and Main Entrance – Geneva, Switzerland

The park is laid out in four sections. One housing most of the botanical gardens plants from each continent. A second has livestock and out buildings for the housing of exotic species from the tropics. A third has a view of the lake and a final section is purposed for outdoor activities.

Botanical Gardens – Entrance – Geneva, Switzerland

Botanical Gardens – Zen Garden – Geneva, Switzerland

Botanical Gardens – Patti – Geneva, Switzerland

Botanical Gardens – Erick – Geneva, Switzerland

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Botanical Gardens – Plants – Geneva, Switzerland

Botanical Gardens – Hill with waterfall, ferns – Geneva, Switzerland

Botanical Gardens – Waterfall rock – Geneva, Switzerland

Botanical Gardens – Everything in bloom – Geneva, Switzerland

Botanical Gardens – Tropical Venue – Geneva, Switzerland

Basilicas, Cathedrals and Churches

There are a number of important churches in Geneva, below are a few to note.

Basilica Notre Dame of Geneva

The Basilica Notre Dame in Geneva is compact in size and is reminiscent of some large cathedrals we have seen elsewhere^[1]Saint Mary’s Church and Cathedral in Hudson, New York. Unfortunately during our stay, mass was being said and we felt obligated to leave.

Basilica Notre Dame de Geneva – Entrance – Geneva, Switzerland

Basilica Notre Dame de Geneva – Nave – Geneva, Switzerland

Basilica Notre Dame de Geneva – Stained Glass Window – Geneva, Switzerland

Russian Orthodox Church

The Russian Orthodox Church in Geneva carries the characteristic golden domes of other orthodox churches. The inside is also gilded in area and very compact. There is a sign asking for donation of 2CHF at the entrance, however during our stay we carried no cash at all on us, so just took a photograph from the doorway.

Russian Orthodox Church – Inside – Geneva, Switzerland

Cathédrale Saint-Pierre Genève

The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre Genève is located in the old section of town, perched on the hill close to Place du Bourg-de-Four, an important piazza in the town. Unfortunately it was not open while we were here, being closed for a Stabat Matar concert series.

Cathedral Saint Pierre – Back View – Geneva, Switzerland

Cathedral Saint Pierre – Side View – Geneva, Switzerland

Cathedral Saint Pierre – Archaeologic Site – Geneva, Switzerland

Cathedral Saint Pierre – Front and Entrance View – Geneva, Switzerland

Tour du Romandie

In 2025 Geneva hosted the Tour du Romandie, the last stage race of the spring before the large stage races of the summer. We were fortunate enough to catch the last stage, Stage 5, or Time Trial Stage, on the end of Pont du Mont Blanc. Very exciting.

Tour of Romandie – Pont du Mont Blanc Turnaround – Stage 5, Time Trial Venue – Geneva, Switzerland

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Restaurants

Traveling can be daunting, especially when it comes to the different cuisines. The most challenging of which can be the meat based ones, which may not necessarily agree with everyone’s digestive system. Hence, keeping an open mind when in a cosmopolitan city like Geneva is a good thing. French cuisine can be very good, but it can also take a toll on the body after a few days.

Auberge de Savièse

The little restaurant Auberge de Savièse is on Rue des Pâquis and offers typical French cuisine. If you are into crepes, fondues and similar fare, this place offers them all at reasonable prices, at least for Switzerland. They also offer simple things, like soups and salads, if you prefer something lighter. We just had soup and a salad, so didn’t take any photographs.

Zhong Tong

A Chinese restaurant on Rue du Cendrier 10 has pretty good Chinese food. The service is good and it can get busy, but is never overcrowded. If you are craving vegetables, a must stop, especially after all the cheese and other meat oriented dishes exist within the city.

Zhong Tong Chinese Restaurant – Dessert, Cirese (cherry) Ice Cream, Pineapple and Oranges – Geneva, Switzerland

References[+]

References
↑1	Saint Mary’s Church and Cathedral in Hudson, New York

Geneva, Switzerland – Watch Capitol