Geneva: City of peace International, home of the Jet d'eau.
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Intro
Geneva is the most international city in the country. It has the energy of a big city and the tranquillity of a small town. The Jet d'eau, a 140-metre-high water fountain, is omnipresent. For runners, Geneva offers many paths along the water. We'll take you on three different routes: To the UN headquarters in Europe, along the lake promenade, but also to unknown neighbourhoods.
Mike takes us on the run with him. He is a UX designer at On. Since Mike is not from Geneva, he gets some advice from a local. None other than Tadesse Abraham. The marathon runner holds the Swiss record and is an Olympic participant.
If you want to enjoy a magnificent panorama while swimming at the same time, you should do so at the Bains des Pâquis.
Around the Jet d'eau – Geneva's landmark The 5 km route
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The 5 km route can be described as the water tour. Here you run along Lake Geneva a lot and get to know one of the favourite places of Tadesses, who lives here.
The route starts at Avenue de la Paix and then leads to Place de Nations, where the Broken Chair is placed. It is a symbol of peace. Just behind is the European headquarters of the UN. Now you realise why Geneva is also called the City of Peace. Then you run through the Botanical Garden. It is home to over 16,000 plant species. Next you go to the lake and past the Bains des Pacquis. This spot is one of Tadesse's favourite places. If you don't run past, you can swim here, enjoy the view of the old town or try a fondue.
The 5 km route continues to the Flower Clock, where probably the most selfies are snapped. Speaking of photos. A constant companion on this route is the view of the world-famous Jet d'eau. Be sure to take a picture!
The diversified lap with culture The 10 km route
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On the 10 km route, one highlight follows the next. Rivers, culture, beaches and a great reward at the very end are waiting for you.
Start at the Quai du Rhône. A little further on is La Jonction. It is one of the few places where two rivers meet and flow side by side for a short distance. The milky Arve meets the Caribbean blue Rhône here. The natural phenomenon is best observed from above, from the viaduct. From nature we move on to culture - to the Grand Théatre de Genève. And from there, past the MAMCO, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, to Carouge. But before that, make sure to stop for a coffee at Birdie. Carouge was built by Italian architects and exudes southern charm. You run through streets with Mediterranean houses and gardens before you make your way towards Lake Geneva. At Quai Gustave-Ador, you'll see pretty houses on your right and the lake with the Jet d'eau on your left. The 10 km run takes you to the Plage des Eaux-Vives. The sandy beach stretches over 400 metres and can accommodate 8,000 people. But there is still a highlight waiting; the Pontons du quai de Cologny. The gigantic wooden ring floats in Lake Geneva. The platform has a diameter of 40 metres. Run around it once and then look across the water to the city. Rarely are you so close to heaven.
Route to the satellite town The 15 km route
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The 15 km route starts in the city centre at the train station and leads out of the city to Vernier. It's a long but varied route. Use your strength well. The effort is worth it, suddenly you find yourself in a world of your own, in the satellite town of Le Lignon. The Trabant was originally designed for 10,000 people in the 1960s, but today around 6,000 people live here. Le Lignon is the longest residential building in Switzerland and is considered an icon of post-war domestic architecture. As you race through the large housing estate, you feel quite small and marvel at the futuristic building. The 15 km route leads back into Geneva's centre, back to the UN headquarters and Sécheron station. Modern skyscrapers alternate with historic buildings. That's Geneva.