The Night of the Escalade
Let’s travel back to 17th century Geneva and experience what happened during the night of 11-12 December 1602. Still celebrated today, this event has marked the story of the Republic.
1.5 hour tour in and around the Old Town
City of pleasure and vice?
Sin City – 2 hour tour
Let’s take a walk from the Pâquis area to the Old Town to discover past and present places of prostitution, gambling, cabarets…and more.
Red Light District – 1.5 hour tour
The “hotter” trail from one red light district to another will reveal the transformation of sex-oriented services over the centuries.
Plan de Genève, John Roque, 1760 – © BGE
Geneva story (in a nutshell)
Follow 2000 years of history in the heart of the city, revealed in landmarks as well as hidden sites.
1 hour tour in the Old Town / 2 hour tour : Horloge fleurie – Old Town
Portrait of Anna Lullin – © BGE / Les lavandières – © MAH
Women of Geneva
Bring back to life women – known, forgotten or anonymous – and discover their contribution to the Geneva story.
2 hours: Ile Rousseau – Rue-Basses
© CICR
Humanitarian Geneva
Follow the footsteps of a handful of Geneva citizens who initiated what will become the world’s largest humanitarian movement.
2 hours: Place de Neuve – Old Town
© Céline Saugy
International Geneva
Follow the trail that reveals how the city became the global centre of multilateral cooperation and diplomacy.
2 hours: Palais Wilson – Place des Nations
© Catherine Hubert Girod
Countryside gems
Enjoy the scenic country-side overlooking the lake and discover villages among fields and vineyards where local lives and history meet.
1.5 hours: Chevrens hamlet in Anières
Unique and captivating tours of a city full of surprises
Geneva immediately brings to mind the Jet d’eau, its old town and the city’s international reputation. Did you ever wonder why?
The answers lie all around you as you wander through the city and its countryside – behind the landmarks and hidden in places you may pass by every day.
As you immerse yourself in the city and its beautiful natural surroundings, let yourself be surprised by the incredible stories that have made what Geneva is today – the smallest of the world’s major international cities.
You will never see Geneva with the same eyes again.
Catherine Hubert Girod
After many years living and working abroad, Catherine returned to Geneva with her family and rediscovered her city with fascination. She decided to leave her international humanitarian profession and become a Geneva guide in order to share the unique story of a city at the crossroads of local and global history.
Creating and guiding tours also made Catherine realise their potential in raising awareness on Geneva’s stunning natural environment, the ordinary lives of its inhabitants that contributed to the city’s story, as well as societal issues and emerging challenges.
Just arrived or lived here for a while?
There is no better way to appreciate a city then to walk through its streets and discover the on-going story that forges its identity.
You will become aware of your surroundings in new ways – historically, culturally and socially.
See you soon!
Self-guided tours
The trail of Chevrens: a guided visit transformed into a virtual tour to follow on La carte des récits d’Anières (FR only)
The humanitarian trail of the Red Cross: A former ICRC delegate, Catherine is a volunteer guide at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, as well as the author of this walking trail available on www.humanitariantrail.ch.
In the media (English)
Header photo credits: Geneva Tourism & ICRC
