Brunswick Monument
The basics
To really appreciate the Brunswick Monument, you need to uncover its unusual history. Several walking and Segway tours stop here on their way into Geneva’s Old Town, with a guide providing illuminating insight into the landmark’s surprising origins. If you’re visiting independently, you won’t need long to admire the elaborate structure and its protective winged lions, leaving plenty of time to unwind in the landscaped gardens or continue along the Quai du Mont Blanc.
Things to know before you go
- There are steps up to the monument from Quai du Mont Blanc; wheelchair and stroller-friendly pathways can be found on park-adjacent roads.
- The monument’s exterior is freely accessible to the public.
- The trendy cafe behind the monument is popular among locals and visitors alike.
How to get there
The Brunswick Monument is less than a 10-minute walk from Geneva Station, straight down Rue des Alpes. The monument is also close to city ferry terminals, which connect to several other towns on Lake Geneva.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The outdoor monument is best saved for a warm, sunny day when you can pack a picnic or soak up the impressive sight over an alfresco lunch in a nearby cafe.
Geneva’s Water Fountain
Look directly across the lake from your monument vantage point to see one of Geneva’s most iconic sights: the Geneva Water Fountain spraying jets of water 460 feet (140 meters) into the air. Brave souls can walk directly to the fountain along a narrow promenade from Quai Gustave Ador—though be prepared for a soaking if the direction of the wind changes.
- Rousseau Island (Ile Rousseau)
- English Garden (Jardin Anglais)
- Flower Clock (Horloge Fleurie)
- Geneva Water Fountains (Jet d’Eau)
- Barbier-Mueller Museum (Musée Barbier-Mueller)
- Tavel House (Maison Tavel)
- Maison de Rousseau & de la Littérature (MRL)
- International Museum of the Reformation (Musée International de la Réforme)
- Geneva Old Town (Vieille Ville)
- Baur Foundation, Museum of Far Eastern Art
- Rath Museum (Musée Rath)
- St. Peter's Cathedral (Cathédrale St-Pierre)
- Bastions Park (Parc des Bastions)
- Geneva Museum of Art and History (Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Genève)
- Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMCO)