Place

Tavel House

This is an old residential building in Geneva that was destroyed by a massive fire in the early 14th century, but has been restored and converted into a cultural museum. It has on display articles of daily use in Geneva, dating back from the Middle Ages to the late 19th century. The attic has a miniature model of an ancient Geneva when the rampart walls were still in place around the city.

City guide

Overview & visitor information

Location: Rue due Puits-St-Pierre 6

Telephone: 022 418 37 00 Timings: 10:00 - 17:00 Daily Contact: www.mah.ville-ge.ch Tickets: Free admission for all

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The Conservatoire de Musique

Building

The Conservatory of Music is a relic from the Byzantine Empire. Decorated with muses of civilizations long gone by, the Conservatory hosts a modern academy of music consisting of several classrooms, in addition to a spacious hall for concerts and performances.

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What to do with Children in Tow

Activity

Geneva is a city for the young and the old alike, and it offers unlimited hours of fun for children aged 1 to 101, or a little underage or a little overage. Some of the major attractions for children of all ages include:

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The Treille Promenade

Sight

The Treille Promenade, near the southern part of the Old Town, offers scenic views of the city from a breathtaking height.

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The Grand Theatre

Theatre

This theatre is very similar to the Garnier Opera House located in Paris. It was constructed in 1879, but later had to be restored in 1961 after a fire damaged the theater. The theater provides a varying yet pleasing mix of classic, opera, and chamber music featuring works of some of the most prominent composers of the past as well as contemporary times.

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Saint Peter's Cathedral

Churches

Located right in the center of the city, and dominating the buildings of the old town, the Cathedral is Geneva's oldest and most marvelous architectural heritage. Construction began around 1160, and took over four centuries to complete. Climbing the 157 steps of the north tower gives you breathtaking panoramic views of the entire city. The basement contains an Archaeological Museum that contains artifacts dating back to the 4th century AD.

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The Jet d'eau

Sight

The Jet d'eau in Lake Geneva spouting 140 meters into the air is regarded as the world's tallest water fountain, symbolizing Geneva's position as a leader in harnessing hydraulic power.

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Rath Museum

Museum

The Rath Museum is the first ever museum to be dedicated wholly to the fine arts in Geneva, in 1826. The building on its own is a masterpiece of architecture. It is located near the city's only remaining ancient rampart walls. The museum contains classical examples from Swiss art and design. Recent ongoing exhibitions from around Europe are also held here.

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Parc La Grange

Park

This is the largest park in Geneva. It has a total land area of about 12000 square meters, and is situated alongside the Lake. The park houses the biggest and most splendid rose garden in all of Geneva. A theater inside the park, the Verdure Theatre, has free concerts and performances every Wednesday and Friday night during summers.

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United Nations

Building

The Palais des Nations was built between 1929 and 1938 to act as headquarters for the League of Nations. The design is a collaboration of five contest winners. It is built in the Neoclassical style. In 1946, the Palais des Nations became the European headquarters for the newly minted United Nations. Over the next thirty years, the palace expanded to its present shape.

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Ariana Museum

Museum

The Ariana Museum, also known as The Swiss Museum of Ceramics and Glass, is dedicated to the ceramic arts. It is located in the front yard of the Palais des Nations in the Parc de l'Ariana. The building was constructed between 1877 and 1884 by Gustave Revilliod to house his prodigious art collection. It was named after his mother, Ariane de la Rive. The museum was eventually bequeathed to the city of Geneva and became part of Geneva's Museum of Art and History in 1934. More than 20,000 pieces are in the collection.

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Cafe des Bains (French)

This modern cafe is located near Plaine des Plainpalais, and the French food menu here is regularly updated with innovative cuisines that never grow old and boring.

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Relais de L'Entrecote (French)

Relais de l'Entrecote is a perfect choice for steak lovers. The starter meals include lettuce or walnut salad, and the main course comprises of entrecote smeared with mouthwatering sauces, and a bowl of crispy French fries. Desserts include French specialties like chocolate profiteroles or creme brulee. The service is superb, and the restaurant is popular with locals and visitors alike.

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Jeck's Place (Thai/Asian)

Small and quiet, this place is a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The meals are quite affordable, with lunch at around CHF 15, and dinner at CHF 25-30. The cuisine is largely Thai, including green curry and roasted duck, and a large variety of equally tempting desserts. Some dishes are influenced by Singaporean, Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian tastes. The service is quick and polite.

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Le Relais de L'Entrecote (French/Steakhouse)

Full of smoke, but also full of style. Perfect if you love red meat and steak. Full meals can be a little expensive.

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Manana (Mexican)

The first Mexican restaurant to be established in Geneva and still quite popular as the best in Mexican food. Its cocktails, served by the Cactus Club in the basement, are worth a try.

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Cafe Gallay (French/Italian)

Lively atmosphere, young and intellectual crowd, polite service, a constantly changing menu with new modifications according to the seasons, and a truly amazing wine collection. Prices, too good to be true. What more can you want?

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Restaurant Les Armures (Swiss, Austrian & German)

Ranked as a five-star hotel, Restaurant Les Armures is located quite close to Saint Peter's Cathedral in the Old Town, and at just a few minutes' walk from the city centre. It is the best traditional Swiss experience you could get anywhere, including the setting, the decor, the food, and the hospitable waiters and staff. Restaurant Les Armures serves tantalizing Swiss cuisines, including the ever-popular fondues and raclette, as well as international dishes from Austria and Germany. The dining at this restaurant is truly fit for a king - or president, rather. Former American president Jimmy Carter and the Clintons have paid notable visits to this restaurant. Single meals at around CHF 30.

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Sam Lor (Thai)

Thai food lovers are sure to be delighted by what this restaurant has to offer. Specialties include favorites like Duck or Red Coquelet smeared in a sauce of coconut milk. The prices can be termed as a little above reasonable sometimes. The service, however, is exceptionally efficient as well as jovial. Being reputed as being the most authentic Thai restaurant in Geneva, Sam Lor always spills out customers who are truly satisfied.

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Le Bearn (French)

Classic French dishes are the highlight at this restaurant, with the truffles deserving a special mention. For those who visit in the winter season, the menu would be largely based on truffles of different types, including the dessert. The setting and ambience is lavish and extremely elegant, inspired by imperial themes, which give a look of formality to the interior. Not at all recommended if you are short on money - basic meals start at CHF 50, but most meals are well into the three-digit range.

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Les Continents (Continental)

The interior is dominated by elegant Victorian-styled furnishings and decor, including chandeliers and table linens. Les Continents provides, as the name suggests, a wealth of international dishes from all around the globe, but a clear influence of Asian cuisine is noticeable. Specialties on the menu include items such as langoustines and pineapple soufflé. There is no doubt as to the quality of meals served here; they are simply par excellence. The service, too, is quite pleasant.

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Hotel Tiffany

Situated on a great location on the left bank of the river Rhone, the Hotel Tiffany is very close to the lake and the city center. Not as flashy and glamorous as the lakeside palaces, it still has its own charm with its stained glass and art nouveau flourishes and paintings. Considering its style, one would expect the prices here to be steep but pleasantly that is not so. The hotel is housed in a building rising 5 storeys. Leather clad armchairs and a summertime sidewalk café give an interesting touch to the hotel. The midsize bedrooms are soundproofed and have spacious bathrooms. The rooms in the attic hold their own fascination with their wooden beams, sloping walls and rooftop vistas.

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Hotel Modern

Ideally located in the centre of Geneva, just a stone’s throw from the central train station, bus station, Lake Geneva and Jet d’eau, the 3-star Hotel Moderne offers comfort at affordable rates. The hotel building is a rectangular 7-storey white structure. A breakfast room is within a low-lying glassed in extension. The hotel rooms are clean, modern and often sunny and ehave standardized furnishings. Soundproof windows cut out the noise of the traffic. The bathrooms though small are well maintained with up-to-date plumbing and clean showers. Breakfast is the only meal served by the hotel’s restaurant. However, on the premises there is an Italian and Japanese restaurant as well under separate management. Babysitting facilities and laundry and dry cleaning services are offered by the hotel.

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Hotel Beau-Rivage

Expensive Hotels

Set up by the Jacques-Mayer family in 1865, the dignified and sophisticated Beau-Rivage is situated on the banks of Lake Geneva. Today the hotel is run by descendents of the same family. The hotel has hosted the rich and famous; from Sarah Bernhardt, the Empress Elizabeth (Sissi) of Austria, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor to more recently Sting and Catherine Deneuve. All amenities for the modern traveller are provided in each room; two telephones and five direct lines, modem points or fax. Extensive conference facilities are available for the business traveller as well.The chef of the restaurant Le Chat-Botte oversees the banquet facilities. Le Patara, the chic Thai restaurant is in this hotel. Guests can enjoy afternoon tea and cocktails in L’Atrium Bar.

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Hotel President Wilson

Priceless antiques adorn this palatial lakeside hotel situated in the heart of the city. The 225 rooms and suites drip with luxury and style fit for a king. The ultra-luxurious suite, the Royal Suite occupies a whole wing of the building. The rooms are air conditioned with fax/modem points. Some of the rooms are non-smoking. A boon for the business traveler, this hotel has conferencing and banqueting facilities for up to 1,200 people, along with a business center. There’s entertainment galore and plenty of verve with live concerts being held in the lobby lounge tearoom. You are spoilt for choice with the array of cuisines served in the hotel restaurants. Enjoy a Lebanese meal at L’Arabesque or indulge yourself with dishes from the world over at Spice restaurant. The terrace garden surrounding the pool is the best place for an informal meal. Guests can also enjoy the use of the small gym and the spa.

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Hotel d'Angleterre

Luxury Hotels

Experience Swiss homeliness in opulent surroundings in this intimate 5-star hotel which dates back to 1872. The 45 room hotel located near Cornavin station on the banks of Lake Geneva has played host to numerous successful business clients and celebrities. Mystery and magic combine with contemporary charm to ensure each guest’s stay here is a unique experience. Each room is individually decorated with plush furnishings and is fitted with fax lines and modem points. There are private balconies with some of the rooms. Wireless Internet facility is available throughout the hotel. For the health conscious, the hotel has a fitness centre with sauna.

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Hotel La Reserve

Luxury Hotels

Modelled in neo-classical style along the lines of the many private villas that circle Lake Geneva, the buildings of the hotel are no more than 3 storey high. Quiet elegance and tranquility mark this hotel which is a government rated 5-star one. White walls, red-tile roofs and 8 acres of surrounding landscaped gardens that burst forth into a frenzy of tulips every year, make for a quaint, charming ambience. The accent of this hotel is on well being and tranquility. The hotel is located on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is just 3 kms from the airport and 5 kms from the city centre. Most of the rooms are either park facing or Lake facing. Luxury has not been spared to make the spacious hotel rooms comfortable for the guests. The rooms are soundproofed. Fax machines are available. The bathrooms are large and either tiled or marble clad. After a hectic day of sightseeing or business, one can relax and unwind in the bar lounge with live music by a DJ. A choice of three restaurants caters to a vast selection of tastes. The best Asian food in all of Geneva is served in the fine Chinese restaurant Tse-Fung, which is decorated in red lacquer and rich olive green silk.

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Hotel Edelweiss Manotel

Budget Hotels

Not too far from Lake Geneve, the Edelweiss Manotel is true value for money. The warmth and cosiness of an authentic Swiss chalet can be experienced here. The 42 en suite rooms in this hotel are furnished in typical alpine décor with rustic mountain furniture and are provided with telephone and mini-bar. The evenings are sure to be full of surprises at the Swiss style restaurant replete with entertainment and folk music. A stay in this hotel will make you feel you are in the Alps. A small business centre caters to the guests on business. Internet access is also provided. With all the snugness and warm hospitality you can appreciate an experience never felt before.

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Novotel Geneve Centre

Luxury Hotels

This hotel is a member of a France based chain. Located in Geneva’s commercial centre it is a reliable government rated 4-star hotel. The lobby is stylishly decorated with marble trimmings. The Novotel Geneve Centre was originally a Ramada 5-star hotel hence has bedrooms larger than one would expect at a usual Novotel. Each bedroom has a writing table, a must for business travellers along with a convertible sofa/bed.

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Hotel Lido

Spread over five floors in a building just 2 blocks from the railway station, this hotel was built in 1963 and has since undergone renovations many times. This government-rated two-star hotel is simple and modest and easily affordable for the budget traveler. Pristine bathrooms with tub/shower combinations come attached with every room. The hotel also has an elevator and a breakfast room. Laundry service is also provided.

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Hotel des Tourelles

Budget Hotels

Twin towers flanking the edge of the hotel’s façade have given its name. This government-rated two-star hotel offers good value for money. This hotel has simply furnished rooms with high ceilings and in some cases balconies with a view of the Rhone. Small refrigerators are also installed in each room. Decorative marble fireplaces in some of the rooms add a touch of warmth. The staff is ever ready to help and is charming as well. The bathrooms are neat and clean and contain showers. The only meal served here is breakfast. The only downside of this hotel is the traffic noise from the busy riverside avenues nearby. This can be remedied by shutting the double glazed windows which act as a soundproofing barrier.