Geneva Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Geneva
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 river or estuary. It was an Allobrogian border town, fortified against the Helvetii tribe, when the Romans took it in 121 BC. The town became Christian under the Late Roman Empire, and acquired its first bishop in the 5th century, having been connected to the Bishopric of Vienne in the 4th.
After 1400 medieval county of Geneva became the Genevois province of Savoy (albeit not extending to the city proper, until the reformation of the seat of the Bishop of Geneva). In the Middle Ages, Geneva was ruled by a count under the Holy Roman Empire until the late 14th century, when it was granted a charter giving it a high degree of self-governance. In the first half of the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation reached the city, causing religious strife, during which Savoy rule was thrown off and Geneva allied itself with the Swiss Confederacy.
In 1541, with Protestantism on the rise, John Calvin, the Protestant Reformer and proponent of Calvinism, became the spiritual leader of the city and established the Republic of Geneva. By the 18th century, Geneva had come under the influence of Catholic France, which cultivated the city as its own. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, on 1 June 1814, Geneva was admitted to the Swiss Confederation. The French influence, however, is still widespread here, from the language to gastronomy and more.
Geneva flourished in the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming the seat of many international organizations, such as the Headquarters of Europe’s United Nations and the Red Cross, and a global hub for diplomacy and banking.
Today mostly known as the city of watches and jewelry making, Geneva boasts of number of notable landmarks, such as the famous Jet D’eau, the Flower Clock, to mention but a few. To acquaint yourself with these and other attractions of Geneva, take this self-guided tour.
Geneva Introduction Walking Tour Map
Guide Location: Switzerland » Geneva (See other walking tours in Geneva)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Sights Featured in This Walk
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Frequently Asked Questions1. How do I access my walking tour in Geneva? Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Geneva Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.
2. How do I view other attractions in Geneva?
3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
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Walking Tours in Geneva, Switzerland
Create Your Own Walk in Geneva
Architectural Jewels
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Best Swiss Watch Shops Tour
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
Chocolate Tour
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
Whether you're drawn to the austere... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
















