Switzerland » Introduction of Geneva

Geneva is considered one of the healthiest places to live in the world. Geneva is formally a French-speaking city, despite the fact that with the large international presence English takes a close second. Spanish, Russian, Portuguese and Arabic speakers abound, and certainly you will also occasionally hear Swiss German, and Italian.

The city is well known as a major banking centre and plays an important role in the production of watches, scientific instruments, jewellery and foodstuffs. These roles have contributed to it being an expensive city in which to live or stay, although it has much to offer the visitor, essentially the Old Town and some fine museums. Geneva is an efficient, clean city. Its excellent public transport system, coupled with the ease and pleasure of walking around the centre, make a car unnecessary, even a nuisance.

Geneva’s best features don’t even cost a euro: the setting on the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman in French), the yacht-packed harbour, and the Jet d’Eau fountain with its 140-metre-high spray of water, and the market stalls selling everything from antiques to flowers on the cobbled streets of the Old Town.