Sights & Attractions in Geneva

Geneva Sights

The République et Canton de Genève (Republic and Canton of Geneva) commands sweeping views of the French Alps and the French Jura from its fortuitous position at the southwestern tip of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). The water flows straight through the city center and into the River Rhône en route to Lyon and the Mediterranean, leaving museums, shops, restaurants, and parks to jostle for space on its history-laden south shore, known as Rive Gauche (Left Bank). Busy shopping streets underline the hilltop Vieille Ville (Old Town), the Plaine de Plainpalais lies to its west, and Eaux-Vives stretches along the quays to the east. The quartier international (International Area), the Gare Cornavin (main train station), and sumptuous waterfront hotels dominate the north shore, or Rive Droite (Right Bank). St-Gervais, just north of the ponts de l'Ile, was once a watchmaking quarter. Les Pâquis, an unruly mix of artists, ethnic communities, and scrappy pleasure-seekers, extends north from the Pont du Mont-Blanc. The International Area, on the outer edge of the city, is a short tram ride from the station; all other neighborhoods are easily toured on foot.

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