It was here, in the Alabama room, that was held in 1864 the first Geneva Convention, from which emerged the International Red Cross. A famous mediation was carried on here in 1872 after the War of Secession, between the United States and England, concerning a British ship named Alabama. And it was here, too, that the first Assembly of the League of Nations was held, on November 15, 1920.  Witness to all events past and present, the Tour Baudet is the oldest part of the Hôtel de Ville. It dates from the 15th century and contains the hall of the Council of State, with its superb frescoes and woodwork. Other witness, famous for its originality, the large paved ramp, surrounded by a square tower. It permitted reaching the three floors without getting off ones’s horse, or litter, or sedan chair. An architectural masterpiece of the 16th century.

A gesture of generosity and demonstration of confidence that the Geneva government would respect the terms of his will. One of these specified that it was to build «a mausoleum in an eminent and worthy location, executed according to the established concept by the finest artists of the time, without consideration of price.» Which was done, on superb site along the quais, in the Square des Alpes.  As the Duke had insisted, the Brunswick monument is an exact reproduction of the tomb of the Scaligeri family in Verona, Italy, a work of the 14th century. The central element, the sarcophagus, is decorated with eight haut-reliefs relating an event in the history of the Este-Guelph family, and 6 lateral panels showing scenes in the lives of different historic characters. A monument rather heavily loaded. And even, initially, overloaded with an equestrian statue of the Duke in bronze, which had to be moved and placed on a pedestal to the right of the monument.

A strange monument, for a strange man.

Created in 1854 and constantly enlarged and beautified, it is one of the most charming and lively of Geneva parks. As you walk through, glance at the large bronze fountain with its superposed basins borne by naiads, the work of sculptor Alexis André in 1862; at the bandstand from the end of the 19th century; and at the busts of painters François Diday and Alexandre Calame, and the sculptor de Niederhausen.

And finally, don’t forget the star of the Jardin Anglais, the famous flowered clock.

Behind these statues stands the motto of the Reformation and of Geneva: «Post Tenebras Lux.» Here and there, the statues and bas-reliefs represent the great Protestant figures of the different Calvinist countries, and the crucial moments in the development of the movement. At the extremities, two essential dates: 1536, when the people of Geneva ratified the Edicts of Reformation and decreed compulsory public instruction. And 1602,when the Genevan repelled the «Escalade» attempted by the Duke of Savoy, thus assuring their religious and political independence. Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli, the great pioneers, also hold important places.Stroll 100 meters along the wall and you cover 150 years of the history of Protestantism. An instructive shortcut.

The Jet d’Eau operates from the beginning of March (with the opening of the Salon de l’Automobile) until the second Sunday of October, generally from 9:30 in the morning until 11:15 at night. It is turned off in the event of high winds (over 15 km/hour for the bise or over 8 km/h for the Joran or the wind from the Jura) to prevent the spray from soaking passersby or sailors.

A brilliant boy, he studied the humanities in Paris and the law in Orléans. It was the period when, under the impetus of the effusive Martin Luther, the Reform church was rapidly gaining new ground, but at the cost of terrible persecutions by the Catholics. In 1528, Bern adopted the Reformation and delegated Guillaume Farel to preach in Geneva. Fascinated by theology, Calvin adopted the evangelists’ theses and, at the age of 24, decided to consecrate his life to them. He fled the persecutions and, like many refugees from France, Italy, England and Holland, arrived in Geneva in 1536, the year that the city adopted the Reformation.  He found Guillaume Farel and began to exercise his rigorous and inflexible influence – far too restrictive for some. The latter, known as the ‘‘Libertines,’’ demanded and obtained the departure of Calvin. He left Geneva two years after his arrival, found refuge in Strasbourg and married there. Very quickly, the new Church felt the void left by his absence. Geneva needed a leader with incontestable and uncontested authority. And so he returned to the city in September 1541, never to leave it again. Not until, exhausted by an incredibly full and active life, he died in 1564 at the age of 54. The work he undertook, with Farel, Bèze and Knox at his side, was phenomenal. He established a juridical code, reorganized the Church, installed an austere and disciplined theocratic regime, created in 1559 the College and Academy. He made Geneva into a veritable Rome of the Reformation.

Among the top 20 charms of Geneva– the Place du Bourg du Four in the heart of the Old Town, rates a prominent place. A place where it’s fun to stroll and soak up the ambiance of serenity and camaraderie. Where Genevans gather around a beautiful 18th century flowered fountain, or on the terrace of a picturesque bistro.Authentic crossroads, the Bourg du Four has always been a meeting place. In Roman times, it was here that the markets were held. Here, too, the Genevans came for their drinking water, transported by aqueduct from the Voirons mountains, 20 kilometers away. They met in the Middle Ages at the famous Geneva fairs. They gathered around Calvin during the Reform. From the middle of the 16th century, to accommodate the Protestant exiles fleeing persecution, the houses around the place were raised, and new ones were built in the courts and gardens. People meet here today, as they will tomorrow. A sweep of the eye reveals several magnificent specimens of 16th century architecture, as well as handsome constructions of the 17th and 18th. Note, for example, the 18th century facade of the Palais de Justice, which shelters several, still older buildings. These originally belonged to a convent of the Order of St. Clare. During the Reformation, it was converted to a hospital, which it remained until 1857. A multitude of memories dwell in this place. Memories of illustrious men who once lived here, like the painter Gustave Courbet, or orchestra conductor Hugo de Senger. And remembrances of old inns, such as the Pomme d’Or (Golden Apple), Cheval Noir (Black Horse) and the Coquille d’Or (Golden Shell).