Ville de Genève

Geneva, part of humanity

Situated at the heart of Europe, at the crossroads of every commercial, cultural and spiritual route, Geneva was the cradle of some of the greatest humanitarian ideas. Calvin, Rousseau, Dunant and many others contributed to its distinction. Similarly, international et multinational organisations established their head offices there, contributing further to its renown.

This international City of Geneva has scarcely more than 190 000 inhabitants, of which around 40% are foreigners, représentatives of 180 nationalities. This extraordinary cultural input, linked to the spirit of enterprise of both its authorities and population, justifies its reputation as an open city, a meeting place for currents of opinion, a window on the future.

At the turning point of technology

Geneva is the capital of one of the world's oldest technologies - watchmaking. Mechanical engineering and micro-electronics are thus the natural fields for the city's industrial sector. Telecommunications, information technology and artificial intelligence have found fertile ground here. Telecom, the world's biggest trade show for future technologies, stakes its future on Geneva.

Geneva is home to the International Telecommunications Union and CERN, the European Centre for Nuclear Research, where the World Wide Web was developed.

Charm and culture

But Geneva is also the lively, lakeside districts of Pâquis or Eaux-Vives. It is an attractive old town, built around its majestic cathedral. There are the quayside, gardens et wonderfully kept parks. Exciting museums are there to be explored, dedicated to art, history, nature and time.

A large small town, everything can be covered on foot. The low streets, the Corraterie, the bridges spanning the Rhône, the Place Neuve or the Saint-Gervais neightbourhood, all provide the opportunity for a pleasant walk. By day and night, Geneva harbour, highlighted by its famous 140 metre fountain, dazzles visitors with its splendour.