Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva, though a Swiss city, sits so closely to the French border that our (Swiss) driver said that Geneva is French. So far, it’s the only Swiss city I’ve visited, so Geneva belongs to Switzerland in my book!
Geneva is the second largest populated city in Switzerland, sitting on the southern tip of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) at the mouth of the Rhone River. We enjoyed the views of the Jura Mountains on our train ride from Paris to Geneva. Only to be even more amazed at the first sight of the Swiss and French Alps. Huge. Half mile long, eloquent waterfalls pouring out of the gigantic mountain side.
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Switzerland is just like everything you see in the photos. C’est magnifique. It’s magnificent. Like I say, we barely dipped our toes into seeing Switzerland by making Geneva our homebase for a couple of days, but I’m so glad we did.
Be sure to read about our daytrips from Geneva to Annecy and Chamonix!
Geneva has an old town sitting atop the lake with winding cobble streets and hidden alleyways; but closer to the lake, you’ll find the likes of high-end global fashion and banking houses with Jet d’Eau views. Geneva is home to the Europe’s UN Headquarters, the Red Cross, Swiss watchmaking manufacturing such as Rolex, Patek Phillippe etc., and is a global hub for banking and diplomacy.
Fun fact: if you’ve seen Wolf of Wall Street, you’ve seen the Geneve Jet d’Eau (Geneva water jet) out the window behind Leo’s pretty face.
Fun fact #2: In 1886, the jet was built to release excess pressure at a hydraulic plant. It became a landmark and symbol of Geneva and was eventually relocated and given more strength to showcase its power. You must walk around the lake to see it from all angles, but careful, you will get soaked if you’re too close when the jet goes off!
As I mentioned, Geneva is the perfect location if you’re wishing to make daytrips further into Switzerland, France, or even Italy or Germany with enough time.
Book trusted, English speaking tours and day trips with trusted companies through my links here!
Full Day Trip from Geneva to Annecy
Full Day Trip from Geneva to Chamonix
Private Tour from Geneva to Interlaken (for up to 4)
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Getting to Geneva
Leaving from Paris Gare de Lyon, with only a couple of quick stops in between, the TGV Lyria gets to Geneva in about 3.5-4 hours and doesn’t lack in views. Or speed. On our train back to Paris, we caught the speed on screen as 191 MPH. And for reference, the fast train is a smooth as an airplane (with no turbulence!). I highly recommend taking fast train trips if they won’t take too much time in your itinerary.
You’ll arrive at Gare Cornavin which is right in the middle of the Rive Driote (Right Bank). We walked from our hotel to the train station because it’s an easy walk and without rain, it was more enjoyable than a bumpy, cobblestone taxi ride.
There are direct flights into Geneva from Washington DC, Newark/NY, and LA if you’d like to start your trip there, which I couldn’t recommend enough! Oh, the options. Additionally, you can catch flights from tons of major European cities into Geneva.
Once you arrive, be sure to hit the money exchange because Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc currency, which is gorgeous if I do say so myself. France and all of the EU use Euro as their currency. So be careful, once you cross back into the French, German or Italian cities, you’ll need to have Euro on hand. (Not to worry though, almost everyone takes American debit and credit cards).
After you’ve hit the exchange, hit the pavement, or grab a taxi/Uber.
Getting Around Geneva
Arriving at Gare Cornavin, you’ll see the colorful Paquis neighborhood east of the station known for nightlife. Also near the station you’ll find the bourgeois-bohemian Quartier des Grottes that has recently gentrified, but has fought complete tear down and replacement with skyscrapers.
Old Town as I mentioned sits on the tallest hill in the city and overlooks the city; you can go to the top of Saint Peter’s Cathedral to get a good look. In Old Town, you’ll find quaint cobblestone streets, hidden restaurants, high-end shopping, and Place du Bourg-de-Four, Geneva’s oldest square filled with tons of café and patios for afternoon drinks.
Rive, just north of Old Town and down the hill, is the main shopping district in Geneva and has all the high-end shopping you can possibly dream of!
The majority of our time was spent exploring Old Town, Place du Bourg-de-Four, and Rive.
Where to Stay in Geneva
We may our homebase in Old Town which I loved.
Hotel Les Armures – $$$ - this is the hotel where we stayed. The old feel and charm of the quaint Old Town hotel was perfect and just want I wanted. I could open the window from my room at night and see down a cobblestone staircase. It was ideal. Also at the hotel is a restaurant of the same name serving Rhone Alps specialties like fondue and raclette.
Great, traditional breakfast included with our room.
Four Seasons - $$$$$
Hotel D’Angleterre - $$$$
Hotel Metropole Geneve - $$$
Warwick Hotel - $$
The Ritz-Carlton - $$$$
The Intercontinental - $$
Hotel Rotary Geneva - $$$
Where to Eat in Geneva
And last but not least, what is there to eat in this corner of Switzerland? With our days being filled with excursions, this left early breakfast at our hotel which I mentioned, and snacks, and lite dinners around town.
Karne – incredible authentic Italian in a hidden alley
Les Armures Restaurant – traditional Rhone Alps cheese fondue served with potatoes; raclette
ByLU – extensive menu of authentic Italian plates that we frequented as it was near our hotel
Windows at Hotel D’Angleterre - incredible views of lake Geneva with fresh, seasonal plates
To Drink
Four Seasons Hotel – great views with upscale ambience
Place du Bourg-de-Four – several cafes and bars with indoor/outdoor seating. Find an empty seat and order a drink.
Hotel D’Angleterre Bar
