Geneva is charmingly courteous

Geneva is a fundamentally international place. This compact and pretty city has been chosen as the site of the international headquarters of the Red Cross, the UN and many other global organisations. More than one third of the city's 170,000 residents are of non-Swiss origin, so it's easy for visitors to feel welcome in this cosmopolitan ambience.

Close to nature 
”Get back to nature” was the slogan of the famous enlightenment philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who was a child of Geneva. Could it be that the landscapes of his birthplace shaped the ideas of this great thinker regarding the restorative forces of nature? That's anybody's guess, but there can be no denying that beautiful scenery wields an extraordinarily potent influence in Geneva. The Alps are close at hand and the beautiful shoreline of Lake Geneva fosters a peaceful mood that is reflected in the city's numerous scenic parks.

By French standards
Though international, Geneva also remains very French, at least gastronomically speaking. The geographical location of the city places it firmly within the territory of French cuisine, even if traditional Swiss dishes with raclette and fondue are well represented in its restaurants. The city nightlife also has a definitively French character, with a very wide and plentiful array of amusements, ranging from bars, clubs and discos to a couple of international standard casinos.

Geneva is also the centre of Switzerland's world-famous clock industry, and so a visit to the Clock Museum is highly recommended. One legendary watchmaker, Patek Philippe, also has a museum of its own at Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 7.