Bâtiment des Forces-Motrices (Power Plant Building), Geneva

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.

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.

Download The GPSmyCity App

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

Walking Tours in Geneva, Switzerland

Create Your Own Walk in Geneva

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.
Chocolate Tour

Chocolate Tour

Chocolate started to gain popularity in Switzerland in the early 16th century and has since evolved to become a highly appreciated Swiss commodity throughout the world. Almost every city or town in the country has at least one chocolate shop, and Geneva is by far no exception.

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

Historical Churches

As the cradle of the Reformist movement in Europe led by theologian Jean Calvin, the city of Geneva has no shortage of religious sites representing a great deal of historical and cultural value. A dedicated Christian, a keen churchgoer, or simply one who is interested in objects of spirituality will find here quite a few temples worthy of attention.

Whether you're drawn to the austere...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Architectural Jewels

Architectural Jewels

Geneva, a city renowned for its diplomatic prowess and picturesque landscapes, boasts an array of architectural jewels. The remarkable medieval and more contemporary structures such as Geneva Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville), Saint Peter Cathedral (Cathedrale de Saint-Pierre), and Schtroumph Buildings, showing a mix of French and German influences, have captivated both locals and tourists for decades.
...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Best Swiss Watch Shops Tour

Best Swiss Watch Shops Tour

When it comes to quality and precision, Swiss-made watches are known to be the best. Some of the world-renowned watch brands have been designed and masterminded in Geneva. The city's watch industry dates back to the 16th century, and since then has constantly developed to produce the most desired timepieces.

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

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