December 25, 2026
Christmas
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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Geneva, set on the shores of the lake that shares its name, in the heart of Switzerland, has been a centre of the Reformation and a refuge for humanist ideas for centuries. Today it is home to numerous international organisations, including the United Nations and the Red Cross, which lend it a uniquely cosmopolitan spirit. Visit for the breathtaking natural scenery, magnificent museums, and the famous Jet d'Eau fountain that graces the city's skyline.
December 25, 2026
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
What to do
Check the current status before you arrive.
December 26, 2026
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
What to do
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December 31, 2026
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
What to do
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January 1, 2027
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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March 26, 2027
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
What to do
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March 29, 2027
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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May 6, 2027
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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May 17, 2027
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
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August 1, 2027
What this means for you
Closures of institutions and shops are possible on that date.
What to do
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Everything you need for Geneva in one place
At the end of the Eaux-Vives pier in Geneva's harbour, a water jet shoots approximately 500 litres of water per second to a height of 140 metres at a speed of around 200 km/h. It was created in 1886 as a pressure-relief valve for a hydraulic plant, and was relocated to its current position in the harbour in 1891. It was raised to its present height of 140 metres in 1951, when it was given its own pumping station on the lake. A stone pier leads right up to the jet, making it possible to see it up close — though be aware that the wind carries the spray. In strong winds or low temperatures, the jet is switched off.
Construction of the cathedral began in 1160 and lasted nearly a century, and the building blends Romanesque, Gothic, and a neo-classical façade from the mid-18th century. During the Reformation in the mid-16th century, the interior was stripped bare and painted decorations were removed, with only the stained-glass windows preserved. The north tower has 157 steps and offers a 360-degree view of the city and the lake. It houses the bell known as La Clémence, weighing six tonnes, which was raised in 1407. Beneath the cathedral lies an archaeological site containing the remains of earlier churches, the oldest of which date to the late 4th century.
This monument, around 100 metres long, stands alongside the former city ramparts in Bastions Park. Construction began in 1909, marking the 400th anniversary of Jean Calvin's birth and the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Geneva Academy — today's University of Geneva — and the wall was officially unveiled in 1917. At its centre stand four statues, each five metres tall: Guillaume Farel, Jean Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox. Carved into the wall is the city's motto, 'Post Tenebras Lux'.
Nyon stands on the remains of the Roman town of Noviodunum, the centre of the colony Colonia Iulia Equestris, founded around 45 BC during the lifetime of Julius Caesar.
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Longeole is a Genevan pork sausage made with whole fennel seeds, protected by a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) since 2009. It is made from pork, bacon, and raw pork rind, seasoned with salt and white pepper, and the butcher may also add white wine or garlic. According to the official description, the recipe was brought to Geneva by Huguenot refugees from the Dauphiné region between 1685 and 1705. It is slow-cooked over a gentle heat for a long time, which gives the meat its characteristic tenderness. It is traditionally served with a gratin of Genevan cardoon.
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