Geneva: Cosmopolitan city par excellence

The town that was dubbed the "Protestant Rome" at the time of Calvin and the Reformation undoubtedly owes much of its wealth to the industrious and austere spirit of the French Huguenots who came here in large numbers at the time of the Wars of Religion. A stroll through the Old Town and its pretty cobbled streets will reveal some of the city's oldest buildings, such as the Baudet Tower (erected in 1455-56), the old arsenal, the Tavel House, which houses the Vieux-Genève Museum, St Peter's Cathedral, the High School Calvin, the Russian Church and the Place du Bourg-de-Four, where fairs used to be held. But Geneva's strength also lies in its proximity to Lake Geneva, which borders the southern part of the city and is a must-see for all visitors to the city.

Outside the Old Town, the "Place de Neuve" is bordered by the Grand Theatre, the Musée Rath and the Conservatoire. Opposite the Grand-Théâtre, you can stroll through the Parc des Bastions, which features statues of the Reformers. Two parallel streets, known as the "lower streets", take you through the city centre and its many shops. On the other side of the Rhône is the lively Pâquis district with its famous lakeside baths and, behind the station, the Grottes district, where you can take a look at the "Smurfs' house".

A stroll along the quays on the left bank will take you to the Jardin Anglais, the Parc de la Grange and the Parc des Eaux-Vives, past the famous jet d'eau that features on every postcard of Geneva. On the right bank, you can visit the botanical gardens with their small zoo and fabulous flowerbeds.

Of course, the United Nations Palace and the International Red Cross Museum are not to be missed. When it comes to museums and galleries, the list is long. Among the must-sees are the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Art and History, the Museum of Natural History, the Musée Rath, the Museum of Ethnography and the Automobile Museum.

A stroll along the shores of Lake Geneva is the perfect way to enjoy the city, or a boat trip to admire the city from afar. Geneva is the European city that devotes the largest part of its budget to culture, which is why it has numerous museums such as the Martin-Bodmer Museum, the Patek Philippe Museum, the International Reformation Museum and the Red Cross Museum. For this reason, it boasts a number of museums, including the Martin-Bodmer Museum, the Patek Philippe Museum, the International Museum of the Reformation and the Red Cross Museum, while the Palais des Nations, which houses the European headquarters of the UN, is also worth a visit.