Gone With The Family

Adventures in Family Travel

One Day in Geneva, Switzerland

Switzerland / by / 43 Comments

Things to see and do on a one day visit to Geneva, Switzerland. A whirlwind day trip to Geneva from Paris left me longing to return to Switzerland as soon as possible.

While we were in Paris last spring break we managed to take several day trips out of the city and one of the most memorable was a day trip to Geneva to visit friends who had moved back there after living in Canada for several years. We only had a few hours for sightseeing but it was a wonderful introduction to this lovely city.

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Travel from Paris to Geneva by Train

We booked tickets on the high-speed TGV Lyria train from Paris to Geneva departing from Gare de Lyon (in the 12e arrondissement) around 8am. We arrived at the train station far too early because we had anticipated that we might have difficulty finding the right platform or some other issue but it was as easy as could be.

We boarded the train for the journey that took just over 3 hours and arrived later in the morning at the Cornavin station in Geneva where we were met by our friends.

I believe that I fell in love with this picturesque city within moments of our arrival. Geneva is the second-largest city in Switzerland and would have to be considered one of the loveliest with its beautiful location on the shores of Lake Geneva and view of both the Jura Mountains and the French Alps.

Ideally we would have liked to have more time to spend but one day in Geneva was certainly better than none! This is what we were able to see and do in our one day itinerary for Geneva.

Buildings along the waterfront in Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland waterfront

The Broken Chair Memorial

The seven of us piled into our friend’s vehicle for a short sightseeing drive around the city. We passed by the United Nations European Headquarters at the Palais de Nations and saw The Broken Chairwhich is a poignant memorial to victims of landmines and cluster bombs.

Large sculpture of a chair with one broken leg - memorial scultpure for victims of landmines in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Broken Chair memorial in Geneva

The Floral Clock

After parking the car, we strolled past the Horloge Fleurie (“Floral Clock”) and paused for photographs. The Floral Clock, located at the edge of the Jardin Anglais (“English Garden”), is a symbol of the Swiss watch industry and has been in place since 1955. The clock functions as an actual timepiece (it keeps precise time transmitted via satellite) and the second hand (2.5m long) is the largest in the world. The clock contains more than 6,000 flowers and plants which vary by season.

Two teen girls and a younger girl posing in front of Geneva's Floral Clock.
At the Floral Clock

Le Jet d’Eau

From there we walked along the lakefront promenade to see Le Jet d’Eau (“the Fountain”). This fountain which is situated near the left bank of Lake Geneva is one of the largest fountains in the world and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

The fountain sprays water into the air at a rate of 200km/hr and if the wind changes direction suddenly then you might very well get wetter than you had intended. We had a lot of fun taking trick photos here and Emma did the best job by far.

Young girl posing with jet d'eau in Geneva, Switzerland so it looks like she's drinking the water spray.
The Jet D’Eau in Geneva
 

Of course, we didn’t get far before needing a gelato break at what is reputedly the best gelato shop in Geneva.

Young girl wearing grey flowered coat holding cone of gelato standing outside the Gelateria Arlecchino in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Gelateria Arlecchino

Geneva’s Old Town

Re-energized by the gelato we commenced our a walking tour of the cobblestoned streets of Geneva’s Vieille-Ville (“Old Town”), pausing for some window shopping before getting down to the serious business of sightseeing. Like most European cities, Geneva’s city centre is compact and is best seen on foot.

Young girl with ponytail looking at display of watches in a shop window in Geneva.
Window shopping for Swiss watches

We paused to admire the golden dove in the courtyard of Maison Mallet which houses the Musée Internationale de la Réforme (the “International Museum of the Reformation”). 

Young girl in grey flowered coat standing beside sculpture of golden dove in the courtyard of Maison Mallet in Geneva.
Courtyard of Maison Mallet

Lunch was enjoyed at Hôtel Les Armures, a luxury hotel situated in a 17th century residence. The restaurant is one of the oldest in the city and serves up delicious Swiss specialties such as raclette and fondue.

girls eating fondue-geneva restaurant
Enjoying fondue in Geneva, Switzerland
Hotel les Armures - lunch served on white plate.
Lunch at Hôtel Les Armures
Toilet and telephone sign at Hotel Les Arumures with illustrations for men, women and telephone stylized as knights in armour.
Toilet sign at Hôtel Les Armures

The Old Arsenal

Continuing our walk through the Old Town, our next stop was the Old Arsenal which is another popular attraction in the city. This former battery is located across the street from the 15th century Hotel de Ville which still serves as Geneva’s city hall. There are five cannons on display here as well as mosaic frescoes by Alexandre Cingria depicting various periods in the history of Geneva. 

Young girl in grey pants and pink zipped sweatshirt poses in front of cannon at the Old Arsenal in Geneva, Switzerland.
At the Old Arsenal in Geneva

St.Pierre Cathedral

Nearby is St-Pierre Cathedral which towers over Geneva’s historic area. Construction on the present building commenced in 1160, however, there is archaeological evidence that the site was occupied as early as the 4th century as a Christian sanctuary. From the outside the church is quite interesting for the variety of architectural styles it features but is best known for reformer John Calvin’s sermons which took place here in mid-16th century and Calvin’s Chair is on exhibit inside the building for visitors to see.

cathedrale st. pierre-geneva-switzerland
St. Pierre Cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland
Calvin’s Chair at Cathédrale St-Pierre in Geneva.
Calvin’s Chair at Cathédrale St-Pierre

Our walking tour of the Old Town continued pas La Clémence which is an institution in Geneva. This is one of the city’s most popular bars especially during the warmer weather when patrons enjoy sitting out on the very large terrace.

Young girl in green long sleeved t-shirt posing in front of outside dining area of La Clemence in Geneva's Old Town.
Outside La Clémence in Geneva’s Old Town

Bastions Park and the Reformation Wall

From there we headed to Bastions Park to view the Reformation Wall. The lovely tree-lined Bastions Park was a botanical garden at one time and is now a popular place for relaxation – or to play a game of chess on the life-size boards.

The Reformation Wall was built into the wall of the Old Town as a tribute to the founders of the reformation movement – John Calvin, John Knox, Guillaume Farel, and Théodore de Bèze (the large statues in the centre of the wall). The monument was carved in the early 20th century and stretches for approximately 100m. The wall also depicts other figures from the European Protestant movement (smaller statues) as well as bas-reliefs of important moments in Protestant history. 

People standing around life-size chess boards in Bastions Park, Geneva.
Life-size chess boards in Bastions park
A few people standing and sitting in front of the Reformation Wall in Bastions Park in Geneva.
The Reformation Wall in Bastions Park
Four figures carved in the stone of the Reformation Wall in Geneva.
The Reformation Wall


The Old Town of Geneva was once a walled city and the last remaining wall can be found on the south side where the Treille Promenade provides a view over the rest of the city. (The Treille Promenade also boasts what is said to be the longest wooden bench in the world. It was built in 1767 and measures more than 120 metres in length.)

Person crossing street and cars parked along the rampart wall around Geneva's Old Town.
Rampart wall around Geneva’s Old Town

One of the more interesting streets that we saw was this one flying the flags of Switzerland and of the canton of Geneva from one end to the other.

Alternating flags of Switzerland and the Canton of Geneva flying on building on a street in Geneva.
Street flags of Geneva

The Tour de L’Île

The Tour de L’Île is now part of a private building but is notable as the tower is all that remains of a 13th century château that had been built on the southern side of the Rhône River to protect Geneva from an attack via the bridge.

People standing around front of the Tour de L’Île clock tower building in Geneva.
Tour de L’Île
Close up of the clock face on Tour de L’Île in Geneva.
Clock face on Tour de L’Île

Shopping for Swiss Chocolate

Of course, we could not leave Geneva without shopping for Swiss chocolate.

Shelf of Toblerone chocolate in a shop in Geneva, Switzerland.
Check out that Toblerone bar – and only 99 Swiss Francs!!!
Shelf filled with Swiss chocolate in shop in Geneva.
More Swiss chocolate shopping – too many choices!!

We finished our day in Geneva with a Swiss hot chocolate before catching the train back to Paris – hoping to return soon and spend more time exploring Geneva and the rest of Switzerland.

Stirring large glass of Swiss hot chocolate.
Swiss hot chocolate

What You Need To Know

  • Switzerland has three official languages – French, German and Italian. French is the predominant language in Geneva although many people speak more than one language.
  • The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc. Euros may be accepted but expect to pay a premium.
  • Geneva is easily accessible by all means of transport – air, train, or by car via motorway. (Geneva is about 3 hours from Paris by train.)
  • More information available on the Tourism Geneva website.

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Comments

  3. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    What a great day trip from Paris and you guys managed to see a lot during the day. Geneva looks like a wonderful place to visit. I could go all day doing chocolate shopping and ending the day with a Swiss hot chocolate :). Love that picture by the floral clock – it looks like they’re in front of a Disney park.

    Reply

  9. Lisa Goodmurphy

    It is a beautiful city and the only reason that we were able to see so much was because we were sightseeing with friends who lived there. If we had been on our own then we would have wandered and been lost a fair bit I imagine!

    Reply

  14. Hikebiketravel

    I seem to have lost my first comment.

    Your post brought back good memories of my time spent in Geneva – at my Godparent’s place which was a big step up from where John and I stayed on our backpacking trip everywhere else in Europe. Remember little of the city other than the picturesque waterfront and chocolate.

    Reply

  15. Monique

    Your pictures are great and it seems you had a very laid back day, yet accomplished a lot!

    We will be there in July for a CERN tour and will have around 4 hours to explore Geneva with our 7 yo daughter and your post gave me a good idea on how to structure it.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  16. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    Wow, you really did a lot that day. I didn’t realize it was possible as a daytrip from Paris. I still love that picture of your daughter with the fountain. Also, I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who is still posting about last spring break. ; )

    Reply

  18. Anita Mac

    Have heard so many amazing accounts of time in Geneva. Looks like your family had a blast! You certainly packed in a lot of fun. Love your photos.

    Reply

  20. Lisa Wood

    oh gosh that chocolate bar is huge! And such a good price….love the wall – its so high!
    The life sized chess board looks really good. We actually drove past a Chess Game today – it was being played by all these older Men who seemed so very serious in their moves! I want to go back and watch them play, even though I wouldn’t have a clue what there moves mean.

    Reply

  21. Randy (Mr. TWS)

    What a great post. You covered a lot in a day. It looks like you had a wonderful time. The pictures convey that your girls really enjoyed themselves. Sweeney and I were just talking about Geneva last night. It’s been years since we were there and would like to visit again.

    Reply

  22. Lady

    All your pictures brings back fond memories of my years heading to Geneva to the U.N. I pretty much lived at the Palais. Glad you liked the city so much!

    Reply

  24. Lisa Goodmurphy

    You’re welcome, Monique! I think you’ll love Geneva – it’s such a beautiful city. A few hours isn’t enough to do the city justice but it can at least give you a taste and make you want to come back for more!

    Reply

  25. Lisa Goodmurphy

    Michele, I definitely need more time dedicated to writing! It’s a long day trip from Paris but is definitely worthwhile – ideally we would have stayed a couple of days but the scheduling and flights just didn’t work on this trip.

    Reply

  32. Monique

    Wow! That was quite a day! I’m exhausted just reading about it. Your kids are such great sports (and models).

    Reply

  33. Jennifer Quillen

    What an amazing trip, I can’t believe how much you packed in! I hope to visit Switzerland one day, I have read so much about the country. I think I read somewhere that Switzerland ranks as the number one country for happiness!

    Reply

  34. Lisa Goodmurphy

    Oh, I would love to have the opportunity to live in Geneva and work at the United Nations. I studied International Relations as an undergraduate prior to law school and my dream job was working at the UN!

    Reply

  35. Lisa Goodmurphy

    Well, not terribly close – about 3 hours apart by high speed train. I don’t imagine very many people do it as a day trip but it was the only opportunity that we had to visit friends.

    Reply

  39. Tricia @roadtriptheworld

    I always love your pictures of food! It’s funny that our food is something that is always a big part of my travel memories too. I hope I can visit here someday.

    Reply

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