Bâtiment des Forces-Motrices (Power Plant Building), Geneva
The Power Plant Building (Bâtiment des Forces motrices) was originally a key facility of a hydroelectric plant and water supply system in Geneva. Situated near where the Rhône River leaves Lake Geneva, heading towards Lyon, this structure was built between 1883 and 1892. Its purpose was to harness the river's flow to generate water pressure for Geneva's water supply and to operate a hydraulic power network. Additionally, its weir was crucial in managing Lake Geneva's water levels.
Although the building ceased being a power source in 1963, it continued to support Geneva's drinking water system until 1988. The weir remained operational until it was replaced by the Seujet Barrage in 1995, located about fifty meters downstream.
In its later years, the Power Plant Building underwent a significant transformation. By the late 20th century, it was repurposed and reopened in 1997 as an opera house and concert hall, thanks to a redesign by Bernard Picenni. What was once a power plant has now become a Fine Arts Center. This building, shaped like an "L," features a neoclassical front facade adorned with statues of Neptune, Ceres, and Mercury.
Although the building ceased being a power source in 1963, it continued to support Geneva's drinking water system until 1988. The weir remained operational until it was replaced by the Seujet Barrage in 1995, located about fifty meters downstream.
In its later years, the Power Plant Building underwent a significant transformation. By the late 20th century, it was repurposed and reopened in 1997 as an opera house and concert hall, thanks to a redesign by Bernard Picenni. What was once a power plant has now become a Fine Arts Center. This building, shaped like an "L," features a neoclassical front facade adorned with statues of Neptune, Ceres, and Mercury.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Geneva. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Bâtiment des Forces-Motrices (Power Plant Building) on Map
Sight Name: Bâtiment des Forces-Motrices (Power Plant Building)
Sight Location: Geneva, Switzerland (See walking tours in Geneva)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Geneva, Switzerland (See walking tours in Geneva)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Geneva, Switzerland
Create Your Own Walk in Geneva
Creating your own self-guided walk in Geneva is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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The local chocolate scene is a true delight for any cocoa enthusiast. Here, you'll find a handful of iconic... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
The local chocolate scene is a true delight for any cocoa enthusiast. Here, you'll find a handful of iconic... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Historical Churches
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Whether you're drawn to the austere... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
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Geneva hosts a cluster of specialized shops that cater to the refined tastes of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Geneva hosts a cluster of specialized shops that cater to the refined tastes of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Geneva Introduction Walking Tour
The city of Geneva enjoys picturesque location at the southern tip of the expansive Lac Léman (aka Lake Geneva), surrounded by the Alps and Jura mountains, including the dramatic Mont Blanc peak.
The city was mentioned for the first time in Latin texts, by Caesar, with the spelling Genava, derived probably from the Celtic genawa- or genu- ("bend, knee"), in the sense of a bending... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
The city was mentioned for the first time in Latin texts, by Caesar, with the spelling Genava, derived probably from the Celtic genawa- or genu- ("bend, knee"), in the sense of a bending... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles