Taking It All In - Your Geneva Vacation And The Old Town
While on your Geneva vacation, you will surely miss a delightful treat if you do not spend some time in the Old town or Vieille Ville. You will find an amazing labyrinth lined with roundabout cobblestone streets and alleyways overflowing with charming boutiques, cafes and historical landmarks at each turn. Regardless of age, this area is full of popular, fascinating ancient building and historic landmarks of interest. The rich history of Geneva dates back more than 4000 years. This is the ideal location for a strolling treasure hunt since much of the Old Town is restricted from traffic. You'll find great historical sites and wonderful shopping opportunities. Click here to find the best city tours when you visit Geneva. Cathedral Saint Pierre
The highest point of the old town is the cathedral Saint Pierre (picture left and below). You can reach the north tower by climbing 157 tapering, meandering steps.This offers you some magnificent views of Mont Salève in one direction and the harbour in the other. In the year 1000, the very first Romanesque cathedral was erected on the site. From 1536 to 1564, John Calvin preached here and the cathedral became the guiding center of Protestantism. Calvin (born, Jean Cauvin) was one of the leaders of the Protestant Reformation and inside the church you can still find the wooden chair he used. The cathedral Saint Pierre in Geneva exhibits an extraordinary perplexity of styles. It is a thickset Romanesque church with a columned neoclassical portico.
It has two square towers on the east end that do not match; and in the late 1800’s there was a bright green spire erected that rises above the whole thing.Excavations have exposed the remains of two 4th-century Christian sanctuaries, mosaic floors dating back to the late Roman Empire, segments of three early churches, and an 11th-century crypt underneath the present-day cathedral. Geneva Vacation ShoppingEvery turn promises a wonderful surprise, and although the Grand Rue is the major shopping street, you will certainly enjoy meandering along many of the Old Town’s winding alleyways and cobblestone streets of yesteryear.
When shopping for the perfect souvenir of your Geneva vacation you will find many interesting opportunities. But don't forget your wallet and a credit card or two - you'll need it! Normally, the stores are open for business on Monday through Friday from 9am-8pm and Saturday hours are from 8am-4pm. Back to Top...
|
Shopping in Geneva is a true pleasure whether you wish to stroll through the hip boutiques of Rue Basses or the elegance of Rue du Rhone, Rue du Mont Blanc, Rue de la Croix-d’or, Rue du Marché or Rue de la Confédération. 