Glinting in the sun in the far west of Switzerland, French-speaking Geneva is a rare breed of city. As you might expect, Lake Geneva is a Swiss-French affair. This famously international city has a handsome old town, renowned museums, vibrant nightlife and an impressive array of attractions that draw visitors from around the world.
Get some inside tips before you go, then plan your trip with this guide to the best things to do in Geneva. Planning tip: The cathedral towers are open late on select nights for panoramic views of the city by moonlight. While the south tower has an open balcony, the north tower is enclosed and is a better option during inclement weather. On nearby Rue Louis Duchosal, Genevans pop caviar on the sleek pavement terrace of Planet Caviar , while fridge-mechanic-turned-fisherman Julien Monney sells his catch β perch, whitefish, arctic char or crayfish, depending on the season β caught from his fishing boat in Hermance, about Flowers, statues, alfresco photography exhibitions and β on clear days β superlative views of Mont Blanc lure visitors to the aptly named Quai du Mont Blanc.
Continue to Parc de la Perle du Lac, a city park where the Romans built ornate thermal baths. In a city synonymous with luxury timepieces, precision is key. After all, this is where the humble wristwatch was first embellished with a wind-up crown, perpetual calendar and sky charts blazing stars in the night sky.
With the austerity of the Reformation, Genevan goldsmiths and jewelers turned their hand to watchmaking and by , the city was home to master watchmakers. Geneva-based Rolex, Richemont and Patek Philippe are among the watchmaking companies with headquarters in Switzerland today.
From Tuesday to Friday, you can watch highly skilled watchmakers at work in restoration workshops and take a self-guided digital audio tour around the elegant museum, styled like a sumptuous jewelry shop with plush carpets, wood paneling and glass cabinets displaying some timepieces from the 16th century to the present day.
