Page 554 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd
Jardin Anglais
Before strolling up the hill to the Old
Town, visit the flower clock in Geneva’s
waterfront garden (Quai du Général-Guisan),
STRETCH landscaped in 1854 on the site of an old
lumber-handling port and merchant
YOUR LEGS yard. The Horloge Fleurie (Flower Clock),
Geneva’s most photographed clock, is
crafted from 6500 plants and has ticked
GENEVA since 1955. Its second hand, 2.5m long, is
claimed to be the world’s longest.
The Walk » From the clock, cross Quai du
Général-Guisan. Head south through the shopping
district to Cour de St-Pierre, which faces the
cathedral. It’s about a seven-minute stroll.
Start: Jardin Anglais Cathédrale St-Pierre
Begun in the 11th century, Geneva’s
Finish: Place du Bourg-de-Four cathedral (www.espace-saint-pierre.ch; Cour
de St-Pierre; admission free, towers adult/
Distance: 2km child Sfr5/2; h9.30am-6.30pm Mon-Sat,
noon-6.30pm Sun Jun-Sep, 10am-5.30pm Oct-
Duration: Three hours May) is predominantly Gothic with an
18th-century neoclassical facade. Be-
tween 1536–64 Protestant John Calvin
preached here; see his uncomfortable-
Geneva’s beautiful Old Town (Vieille looking seat in the north aisle. Inside
Ville) is the perfect spot for a the cathedral, 77 steps spiral up to
the attic – a fascinating glimpse at
charmingly edifying stroll, thanks to its architectural construction – from
its mix of sights and a history lesson where another 40 lead to the top of
the panoramic northern and southern
worthy of its status as one of the towers (adult/child Sfr5/2). Views of
Protestant Reformation’s key cities. the Old Town and the Jet d’Eau are
marvellous. In summer, free carillon
(5pm) and organ (6pm) concerts fill the
cathedral and its surrounding square
with music.
The Walk » Exit the cathedral and head for the
Site Archéologique de la Cathédrale St-Pierre; a
few dozen footsteps should cover it.
Site Archéologique de la
Cathédrale St-Pierre
This small archaeological site (%022 310
29 29; www.site-archeologique.ch; Cour St-Pierre;
Take this walk on Trip adult/child Sfr8/4; h10am-5pm Tue-Sun) in the
basement of Cathédrale St-Pierre has 4th-
} century mosaics in the Roman crypt and
the tomb of an Allobrogian chieftain. Its

552