Geneva, Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan destination, is a gracious, lakeside city of 180'000 inhabitants, framed by the French Alps, the Jura Mountains and skirted by vineyards. Geneva's sophistication belies its small size.

Life revolves around the lake with fashionable hotels and restaurants on the right bank, a left bank for business and shopping, and, perched on a hill, a wonderful Old Town. Geneva has an abundance of Parks, lakeside promenades with intricate designs in flowers, and playful outdoor sculptures that pop up in the least expected places.

The city not only provides a secure harbor for the world's most high powered meetings--the U.N. chose it for its European home, the International Red Cross for its Headquarters and over 200 international organisations are within its boundaries. The city is famous around the world as the ? City of Peace ?.

But it’s also the Watchmaking capital, and the Flower Clock bears witness to its history in the watchmaking industry and famous brands such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Rolex, Piaget are all located in Geneva.

Discover its Harbour and its famous Water Fountain (the Jet d’eau), its romantic Old Town from where you get a glance on Lake Geneva and its 33 museums (most of them are free of charge).

Last but not least, Geneva is a paradise for Shopping where you can find all worldwide amous brands.

Geneva, it simply combines the best of both worlds: the international, business hub and all the advantages that this implies but also a small and friendly resort town.

Sightseeing Tips

Town Hall, with history back to the 12th century. For 500 years, the “H?tel de ville” (Town Hall) has been the headquarters of Geneva's political life. Still today, the government of the Republic and Canton of Geneva meets within these walls of which the Tour Baudet (15th century) is the oldest element, housing the hall of the Council of State with its superb frescoes and woodwork.

St. Peter’s Cathedral. An imposing romanesque-gothic church with a neoclassical facade witch dominates the Old Town. One hundred fifty seven steps lead to the summit of the north tower to the Clémence, the queen of the bells, weighing over 6 tons and to a fabulous panorama overlooking the city and the lake.

The archaeological site of Saint-Peter’s Cathedral. It was discovered underneath the cathedral when its foundations needed reinforcement in 1976. One of the most significant sites of its kind north of the Alps containing the remains of the many churches that preceded the current structure: the oldest of these dates from the late 4th century !

The International Museum of the Reformation. It retraces the history of the Reformation movement and presents the main elements of the spiritual and cultural tradition, initiated by John Calvin, through objects, books, manuscripts, paintings, engravings and state-of-the-art audio-visuals. This year the museum celebrates the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth with "A Day in the Life of John Calvin", a temporary exhibition which features contextualized 3-D simulations of the reformer’s life.

Geneva is often called the "City of Parks". Both the right and left banks make you wax poetic on a Spring day, not to mention the greenery in other parts of the city. There's even a working clock made of flowers the “Flower Clock”, witch second hand is the largest in the world (more than 2.5 metres long) !

The Water Fountain. Located on the left bank at the end of the “Jetée des Eaux-Vives”, a six-foot metal column acts as the "geysers" source. Originally a simple security valve at the Geneva hydraulic factory, this Water Fountain has, over the years, grown to be the symbol of Geneva !

United Nations building, one of the 300 international and non governmental organizations. Constructed between 1929 and 1936 to house the League of Nations, it became the headquarters of the United Nations in 1946 when the former organisation was dissolved. The vast wooded park overlooking the lake, where it is located, was donated by the City of Geneva. Today, and after the completion of a new wing in 1973, it is the second most important centre of the United Nations after New York.

The Patek Philippe Museum. Located in a building erected in the early 20th century, the museum exhibits a unique collection of 2000 treasures of horology and enamelling of Genevese, Swiss and European origin, dating from the 16th to the 20th century. Patek Philippe’s watches are considered by many as the finest art of watches in the world.

Carouge. A small suburb of Geneva, with a touch of Greenwich Village, an air of mystery inspired by the Marais in Paris and a pinch of Mediterranean color: a unique mixture for a unique city.

Separated from Geneva by the Arve, a peaceful river at times tumultuous, Carouge inspires idle wandering and gentle reverie. Small town houses, some opening on intriguing courtyards of hidden greenery, give the city its specific atmosphere.

The Paquis baths. In 1932, a love story began between the Genevans and the Paquis Baths (located right in the Rade). Constructed on the site of former baths fallen into disuse, a new structure was created comprising a 6,500 m2 platform supported by 448 piles, pools, diving boards and a snack bar ! The Paquis baths are open all year, thanks to the magnificent sauna available in winter.

News and special suggestions

Shopping. Geneva is a shopper's paradise, famous for its luxury with high-precision watches, together with a magnificent selection of jewellery, designer fashion for men and women, perfume, cosmetics and many other fine products are on sale in specialised stores and boutiques. Only the best quality watches could have the “poin?on de Genève” (Geneva certificate), which also means that Geneva is the very place that watch and clock industries develop.

(See below the “week-end shopping offer*)

Geneva-Tourism & Convention Bureau special “week-end shopping offer*

Geneva is reputed for its high-precision watch, jewellery and luxury shops; it also has countless fashionable boutiques to suit all pockets. And we should not forget the many fine chocolate shops and delicatessen which make Geneva a favourite among food fans. The last word in shopping is concentrated in a restricted area and makes it possible to do more shopping on foot in one hour in Geneva than anywhere else in a day! The great names of ready-to-wear are there, as well as the reputed brands of the Geneva luxury watch-making industry, such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Frank Muller, Piaget, Baume & Mercier, Vacheron & Constantin, Audemars Piguet, Chopard and Gilbert Albert.

The Special Geneva "week-end shopping" offer comprises:

Accommodation (at reduced rates) and breakfast (in double or single room, with bath or shower, only in the hotels participating in the set-price programme; VAT, taxes and service) The Geneva Transport Card, valid for the full duration of the stay on the public transport net-work A shopping voucher, per reservation, worth CHF 60.00 to be used in the Globus department store (valid 24 months, non-refundable).

Documentation on Geneva.

For details and booking : www.geneva-tourism.ch

Hotel Beau-Rivage. This hotel has joined the very smart "Leading Hotels of the World” club, based in New York. This prestigious organisation, which chooses its members according to very precise criteria of excellence, includes more than 450 luxury hotels (about thirty of which are in Switzerland), in more than 80 countries.

www.beau-rivage.ch

Hotel des Horlogers. This hotel is located less than 3 minutes away from the principal Swiss watch manufactures (Municipality of Plan-les-Ouates). The hotel, which was entirely renovated in 2008, comprises 32 rooms and junior suites, equipped with the latest technology. The H?tel des Horlogers is a charming 3* boutique hotel and it features, set into its walls, a collection of watch-making tools used by the watch and clock-making masters through the centuries.

www.horlogers-ge.ch

EastWest Hotel. This hotel is located only a few steps away from the lake and the place des Alpes. With its open-sky patio and wall of water, this distinctive, contemporary address has the charm and intimate atmosphere of a private residence. The decor, a harmonious blend of East and West, is the work of Architects Studio Marc Hertrich. The hotel has 41 rooms including 2 junior suites and 2 duplex suites. The bar and restaurant SENS, is run in partnership with the Pourcel Brothers, the Michelin star chefs of the Jardin des Sens in Montpellier. The cuisine is Mediterranean and inspired by their travels.

www.eastwesthotel.ch

Gourmet restaurants. Geneva is the Swiss town with the greatest number of international prize-winning restaurants. Of these, the principal are:

Domaine de Chateauvieux, Relais et Chateaux, 19/20 Gault-Millau, ** Michelin

Le Chat Botté, H?tel Beau Rivage, 18/20 Gault-Millau, Michelin

Auberge du Lion d’Or, Relais et Chateaux 16/20 Gault-Millau, * Michelin.

Moreover, the Chef of the Chat Botté, H?tel Beau Rivage, Mr. Dominique Gautier was designated “Chef of the year for 2009” by the Gault-Millau guide

Cruises on Lake Geneva. The Lake of Geneva, nestled amidst the Alps, is a true inland sea making possible a wide range of cruises : cruises for one hour, one day, one evening, gourmet cruises and dancing cruises on board a steamship. Relax and watch the magnificent landscapes glide by.

Chamonix. A 90-minute drive by motor-coach through the picturesque Arve Valley takes you from Geneva to Chamonix, one of the most famous mountain villages at the foot of the remarkable and majestic Mont Blanc, the highest peak of Europe (4,807 metres).

Good to know

Switzerland applies Schengen rules in the issuance of visas. This means that visas are recognized for entry into the territory from other Schengen states and vice-versa.

Geneva’s international airport is located a convenient 5 km from the city centre. A direct rail connection links to the downtown railway station in 6 minutes.

A free ticket for public transport is available in the arrival level of Geneva’s international airport (ticket machine in the baggage recovery area)