An exploration of the international city is certain to yield real rewards for visitors. Geneva extends its welcome to a global guest list seeking a special break. They experience a place so perfectly framed by the natural beauty of its lake and mountain views. It is a city which is easy to explore whether simply wandering by the lake or digging a little deeper and seeking out some of the many attractions to discover.

Jet d’Eau

To get a real feel for Geneva, it is hard to see beyond the visual impact of the famous Jet d’Eau. Calling it a fountain fails to do it justice. As you take a stroll around Lake Geneva towards it (by day or night), you quickly become aware of its power as it shoots 500 liters of water per second to a height of 140 meters. It is one of the tallest fountains in the world and is an iconic symbol of the city and its strength, ambition and vitality. It adds drama to the mountain backdrop and gives this city by the lake a key focal point.

And with the unrivaled quality of Swiss hospitality, staying here is always a pleasure. That’s something to reflect on perhaps by enjoying a spectacular sunset dinner overlooking the city and its mountain landscape from one of the best locations – the Izumi restaurant’s rooftop terrace at the Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues Geneva.

Shopping

Discerning shoppers head straight to the Rue du Rhône where they can choose from a comprehensive range of the world’s leading brands. It’s a top level retail experience with a concentration of prestigious stores ranging from the latest fashion collections by innovative designers to jewellery, watches and the sweet creations of Geneva’s master chocolatiers. It’s well worth taking a moment to stop shopping  to listen to the Malbuisson Clock. Its distinctive chimes and the enchanting parade of mechanical figures remind you that time goes by quickly in Geneva.

When thinking which stores to take in, you can make a good start at Bongenie Grieder, Globus, Cartier and Hermes, a few of the most outstanding boutiques on this street.

To relax between your shopping why not book an appointment at L-Raphael – The Temple of Beauty and discover the innovative oxygen treatment? It is crafted to give you a rejuvenated look as you emerge once again into the heart of Geneva’s shopping.

Getting out on Lake Geneva

You can rent a speed boat at the shores of Lake Geneva and enjoy the lovely city and sunshine while cruising on the lake.  The lakeside restaurant Les Voiles is a popular summer hotspot, offering great food, atmospheric music and an eclectic drinks mix. There is a slightly more relaxed atmosphere at the La Reserve Hotel & Resort, which you can also approach by boat. The perfect place for a memorable lunch or dinner – sunset views included.

United Nations HQ Geneva

Pre-book your visit to the United Nations HQ in Geneva. Check in advance to find the days where there are fascinating tours of the building as well as cultural exhibitions. These aim to highlight the UN’s global priorities and focus on areas like climate change, sustainability, equality of educational opportunity, healthcare and diversity.

The art collection and heritage of the United Nations Office in Geneva is both stunning and meaningful. It is quite possible to spend an entire day just wandering through the park to take in the history and variety of its artistic sculptures. Right in front of the entrances is a key art piece – this is the renowned ”Broken Chair.”

Created in 1997 by leading sculptor Daniel Berset, the Broken Chair was a commission  at the request of Handicap International (now Humanity & Inclusion). This image has travelled around the world and is one of the most significant pieces of 21^st century art Its message is one of stark simplicity: do not forget the suffering of victims of landmines and campaign to stop the use of destructive cluster weapons. To demonstrate this struggle, the Broken Chair has just three legs with the fourth snapped off halfway. Even with this structural difficulty, it still stands proudly and in a dignified way. At a height of 12 meters it has the scale to emphasize the issues it raises.

Contemporary Art

Since its opening in 1994, the MAMCO Geneva (Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain), has created a whole new way of looking at museums. With its focus mainly on art from the 1960s onwards, MAMCO adheres to a set of clear principles. These include the idea that a museum can offer a global exhibition space. This makes it possible for a visitor to experience so much in just one visit from the permanent collection to temporary exhibitions. MAMCO also works to shape shift its displays and internal spaces to keep the visitor encounter with art fresh and engaging.  Recent exhibitions have featured exciting new ways of curation from a collector’s apartment to the “white cube” or the artist’s studio.

MAMCO has also welcomed disparate artists including theECART Group, Claude Rutault, and a Cabinet of Concrete poetry while still ensuring due prominence to the latest trends in Geneva’s and the Swiss art scenes.Devoted to the art of the now, MAMCO always keeps art and artists at its heart and is the largest contemporary art space in Switzerland.

The former industrial building which houses MAMCO also hosts the Centre d’Art Contemporain, a venue where artistic dialogue and experiments by the best Swiss and international emerging artists take place and which encourages new talent and a vibrant contemporary culture. There are also other spaces presenting their own exhibition programs. MAMCO holds over 3,500 works and is a centre of educational excellence with a range of activities for both adults and children