Wanderlust : Geneva (Genf)

My daughter spent a winter term als an exchange student in Geneva. I had never been to Geneva and, when I helped her move, was happy to get to know a new city expecting something grand, corresponding to the importance to its global organizations and its historic contracts and dealings.  However, Geneva turns out a rather nice sleepy small village, two shopping streets running parallel to the lake and a beautiful old town on the hill above the lake.

Genfer See - Lake Geneva 

with its characteristic Jet d'Eau high-pressure fountain 

and lighthouse

Rue de Rive

Place Molard

St Pierre Cathedral

The Supper in St. Pierre

the colourful Maccabeen Chapel

One can climb up the tower

for a view of the city and the river Rhone leaving the lake

a view from the top

Geneva is decidedly reformist protestant: Statues of Calvin and Knox on the "Reformation Wall" occupy a prominent place in the Parc des Bastions on Place Neuve : Luther and Zwingli seem to be less important. 

The Justices seem to think differently? 

The city's foundations go back more than 2000 years to the Allobrogians, who are mentioned as enemies in Caesar's De Bello Gallico.  Very interesting excavations and the history from the beginnings of the settlements on the lake can be found in the little museum underneath the church. 

It is a Swiss city.  And as many clichés  tend to contain a core of  truth in them, Geneva seems to live up to that expectation. It is a rather sleepy quiet town. 

All boarded up in winter - no fun 

Hehehey! 

 ..... and possibly slightly unimaginative? 

Unfortunately absurdly expensive, even more expensive than Paris or London, where it is still possible to find a decent cheap lunch. 

This may be due to its residents many of whom do not seem to pay their own bills, resp. live on rather generous expense accounts. I watched a conference once with ministers of African states, many of whom seemed  to be "residing in Geneva". Hm. Why would they even tell? As part of the governing body of a country not too well off, shouldn't they be ashamed that they are not with their people "in situ"?

The local populace are making comments in their own fashion. A fishermen decorated his shed in the harbour with his greatest nightmare:

fishing his lunch? 

The UNO

Now you know. 

in the park at the UN headquarters

Public transport is exemplary and necessary. Hotels give out free passes and one can get around easily. Taxis on the other hand are not allowed to pick up passengers from the curbside without reservation or outside of taxi stands  - which I learned the hard way after waving frantically for half an hour before a nice taxi driver stopped his empty car, explained the system and drove off to his appointment ... 

Carouge is a quaint little town next door where parts of the university are situated. It has a distinctly Italian relaxed feel. 

The CERN on the French border  is definitely worth a visit if only for their informative and imaginative visitor centre shown here  - the tram line takes a while but is very convenient.

Sunset in winter on Lake Geneva