Moving on from Switzerland’s most populous city, Zürich, we travelled to the country’s second-largest city—Geneva (French: Genève). Geneva is also the largest city in Romandy, the French-speaking region of Switzerland, and serves as the capital of the Canton of Geneva.
We arrived in Geneva by train, a comfortable journey of around three hours from Zürich. Thanks to the Swiss Travel Pass we had purchased earlier, travelling around the country felt effortless—I could simply hop on and off trains and explore Switzerland freely. Voilà! Je vous présente Genève…
The weather greeted us beautifully—clear skies and perfect light for photography. One of the first landmarks to catch my eye was the Jet d’Eau, Geneva’s iconic water fountain soaring
from Lake Geneva. Seeing it instantly reminded me of Canberra, Australia’s capital, and its Captain James Cook Memorial Fountain—different cities, yet a similar sense of grandeur and calm by the water.
We spent some time exploring Geneva’s city centre, the heart of the city’s shopping scene. This area is Geneva’s most famous retail district, where luxury boutiques and world-renowned watchmakers line the streets. Stretching from the banking district toward Eaux-Vives, Rue du Rhône and Rue du Marché form the backbone of the city’s shopping precinct.
Many stores were running generous sales, and after browsing for a while, I picked up the chapeau I’m wearing in the photos below—an instant favourite.
After wandering a little longer, we settled into a charming café for a much-needed break: Martel Chocolatier, established in 1818. We ordered café crème, almond and chocolate croissants, and an assortment of delicate macarons—simple pleasures done beautifully.
Our next stops were the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, conveniently located just one bus stop apart. With the Swiss Travel Pass, we also enjoyed free admission to the Red Cross Museum, which was a wonderful bonus.
The Red Cross Museum left a lasting impression on me. The exhibition is divided into three key themes that reflect some of the greatest challenges facing today’s world: Defending Human Dignity, Restoring Family Links, and Reducing Natural Risks. It was deeply moving and far more thought-provoking than I had anticipated. The experience served as a gentle yet powerful reminder of how easy it is to take things—and people—for granted. It encouraged me to be more mindful, appreciative, and compassionate, and to look for ways to help others whenever possible. ❤️
Not many people realise this, but Geneva is often described as both the “smallest of big cities” and the “city of peace.” It is home to the European headquarters of the United Nations, making it the second-largest UN centre in the world after New York.
To conclude the day, we visited the Palais des Nations. The building stands on international territory and has housed the United Nations’ European headquarters since 1966. Seeing it in person felt symbolic—a reminder of Geneva’s role on the global stage.
It had been a long, fulfilling day.
Bonne nuit, Genève. ✨
See you next time.