SEE + DO
Wander the maze of cobbled lanes in Old
Town (Vieille Ville), where lingering over
café renversé — the Swiss version of café au
lait — in scenic squares, such as the lively
Place du Bourg-de-Four, is a must. The
12th-century St. Pierre Cathedral is close by.
Though not nearly as imposing as others
in Europe, it’s significant for the ancient
archaeological remains below the building.
Climb the combined 157 steps of the
northern and southern towers for views over
the city and lake.
Flower Clock
Credit: Genève Tourisme
Near the oft-photographed Jet d’Eau fountain
is the English Garden, one of the many green
spaces that cover one-quarter of Geneva. Here
you’ll find the famous Flower Clock, created
with thousands of blooms. Geneva’s biggest
(and some say most beautiful) park is the
lakeside Parc de la Grange, with more than 200
varieties of roses, and summer concerts and
plays at its two theaters.
The popular Bains des Pâquis, a public
bathhouse complex on a jetty in the lake, has
been around since 1872 and is open year-round
for swimmers and sunbathers. Or soar above
the city on the Mont Salève Cable Car, about
12 miles from the city center, carrying riders up
3,600 feet. The views of Geneva, the Alps, and
Mont Blanc (on a clear day) are thrilling, and
the area is a playground for mountain biking,
hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Go full-on Swiss native by creating your own
bespoke watch with specialist Initium. Or
check out the newest package from the posh
Beau-Rivage Geneva hotel, where a stay
includes a short intro to watchmaking course
(or a build-your-own session), plus two tickets
to the Patek Philippe Museum, a temple to
five centuries of horology.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Museum is home to three modern permanent
exhibitions (defending human dignity,
restoring family links, reducing natural risks),
and is one of the city’s top attractions.
EAT + DRINK
If you need a good coffee kickstart, and
don’t mind leaving your laptop behind, settle
in at Birdie, a cozy café also serving fresh
homemade breakfast and lunch. Score a
reservation at Intensus, and you’ll be wowed
by 10 sophisticated courses with only eight
other diners in a secret location revealed
24 hours in advance.
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 48 SPRING 2020
St Pierre Cathedral
Credit: Genève Tourisme