Seeing the Cathedral and Jet d’Eau in Geneva

Located on the westernmost edge of Switzerland, flying into Geneva Airport transfers you to an entirely different world. You can relax and enjoy the beauty of the region where Lake Geneva meets the towering spires of the Alps. As the largest city in the French speaking part of the country, the city is also a globally important centre of art, finance, education, religion and much more.

If you are landing at Geneva Airport, transfers in to or out of the city are simple and quick, giving you plenty of time to wander around the streets and soak in some of the culture and history that makes it one of the best places to visit in Europe. When you are in the city, pay attention to the history written in its architecture and be sure to take the time to visit some of the landmarks that have come to be associated with the city - such as Cathédrale St-Pierre and the iconic Jet d'Eau.

Cathédrale St-Pierre

One of the most iconic churches in the city can be see easily found once you land at Geneva Airport. Transfers to the city centre will take you straight past the St Pierre Cathedral in its towering position on the hill in the Old Town. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century, and from 1150 to 1250 the cathedral we see today was under construction. Over time, the wars, fires and other situations changed the look of the church, but the most noticeable aspects of change are the addition of the portico, the South Tower, the copper spire, and the Chapel of the Maccabees.

After 1907, when the church and state separated, it became the property of the Protestant Church. Today you can visit the cathedral and get a better understanding of the architecture and historical significance it played in the lives of the city and its citizens.

The Jet d’Eau

Who would have thought that what was once just a pressure release valve in the 1800s would have such a mass appeal as a tourist attraction and city symbol? Built in 1886 and turned into a tourist attraction after being moved to its current location in 1891, the Jet d’Eau is situated where the famous lake meets the Rhone River. It is one of the first things you will be able to see as you near the city on the Geneva Airport transfers into the heart.

As one of the tallest fountains in the world, the Jet d’Eau shoots 500 litres of water per second a whopping 140 metres high into the air. If you aren’t well prepared for any change in the wind you might find yourself soaked from the falling spray as you stand on the viewing point on the jetty.