Travel Eye on Geneva (Switzerland)

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Overview:

With a pleasant setting, green parks, colourful gardens and lakeside promenades, Geneva is considered one of the healthiest places to live in the world. The city sits astride the River Rhône, where it streams into Lake Geneva, and is set against a dramatic backdrop of mountains. At the lake's south shore the Jet d'Eau shoots water 460ft (140m) into the sky from the end of a pier - the city's landmark attraction and Europe's most powerful fountain.

Undoubtedly Switzerland's most cosmopolitan city, Geneva's reputation for religious and political tolerance dates back more than five hundred years. In the 16th century the city spawned  the religious teachings of John Calvin, and was where Lenin spent his 'years of recreation'. Little of their Puritanism is left today - stately homes line the banks of the lake, overlooking an armada of luxury yachts. Jewels and designer labels spill out of exclusive boutiques and into chauffer-driven limousines that slide down palatial avenues.

As well as a host of museums and fine galleries, Geneva has a lively cultural calendar. Most notable is the celebration of l'Escalade in December, which involves costumed and torch-lit processions through the town, and the consumption of sickly amounts of chocolate and marzipan.

Geneva is a gateway to Switzerland's luxury ski resorts, an important banking centre and home to thousands of international delegates and diplomats. Among the many international organisations based in the city are the United Nations, the International Red Cross and the World Health Organisation.

Locality:

Geneva is at the south west tip of Switzerland, isolated geographically from the rest of the country and surrounded on 3 sides by France. (it is 3 mls N of Veyrier on the Swiss-French frontier. 40 mls SW of Lausanne. 88 mls SW of Berne. 90 mls NE of Lyon (France). Cointrin international airport 3 mls NW of the city centre). Geneva is wrapped around the west tip of Lake Geneva (also called Lake Leman) where it feeds into the Rhone River. The Swiss and French Alps rise on 1 side with the Jura Mountains opposite.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Popular atrractions include:

Lake Léman - The geographic feature dominating the city is, of course, Lake Léman. This immense body of fresh water is the largest and bluest of all the lakes in Switzerland. Locals may be tolerant if you refer to it as 'Lake Geneva', but if you are planning a day trip to Lausanne or Evian, remember that Geneva is not the only city bordering the lake! The arrival of warm weather in the city heralds the opening of lakeside terraces and beaches, the most well known being the Bains de Pâquis - which is well set up for swimmers and café habitués. Viewing the cityscape by boat is highly recommended as stunning views of the Jet d'Eau and the Savoy mountains are to be beheld.

The City Centre - It is difficult to isolate one point as being the city centre. Historically, the Place du Bourg-de-Four in the Old Town would have been the main focus. From a practical point of view it is tempting to bestow this honour on the building on the Pont-de-la-Machine, which traverses the Rhône, between the left and right banks of the lake. Housed here is a branch of Geneva's tourist information centre. Free city maps and brochures can be picked up here or in the main office , located in the Central Post Office on the Rue du Mont Blanc.

Rive Gauche - For glamour, the Rue du Rhône on the left bank cannot be missed. Here, the well-frocked, Vuitton-toting bourgeoisie shop for minks, tiaras and watches so stuffed with diamonds that looking at the time requires Gucci shades and a bodyguard. All is not glistering with gold, however. The Paris-based Tati Department store (new wedding dresses for CHF 99!) is a low-budget mouche in the high-fashion ointment.

There are well over 100 restaurants with mainly international cuisine reflecting the city's cosmopolitan population. Some ethnic options, mostly in the more bohemian Paquis quarter. Geneva has a reputation among the Swiss for its high food prices but, in addition to the extravagant (if generally top-notch) meals to be had in the fine hotels, there are plenty of cheaper cafes and tea rooms. Local specialities include cardoons (a type of globe artichoke) in cream; longeole, an unsmoked sausage flavoured with cumin or fennel seeds; and compote of pears, a traditional dessert. The Canton of Geneva produces its own wine and most restaurants feature basic Swiss wines, mainly white.