Parc des Bastions | Geneva

Information

Landmark: Parc des Bastions
City: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Continent: Europe

Parc des Bastions, Geneva, Switzerland, Europe

Parc des Bastions is a prominent urban park located at the foot of Geneva’s Old Town. Historically the city’s first botanical garden, it now serves as a central recreational and commemorative space.

Visual Characteristics

The park is characterized by long, tree-lined promenades, expansive lawns, and 19th-century wrought-iron gates. It is bordered by the historic ramparts of the city and the neoclassical buildings of the University of Geneva. The atmosphere is defined by a mix of academic activity and leisure.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Les Bastions, 1204 Geneva.

Access: Located between the Place de Neuve and the Plainpalais district.

Transport: Nearest stops are Place de Neuve (Trams 12, 17, 18; Buses 3, 5) and Plainpalais (Trams 12, 15, 17, 18; Bus 1).

Hours: Open 24 hours daily.

Entry: Free.

Historical Origin

The area was originally a defensive bastion (part of the city's fortifications). In 1817, the botanist Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle established the city's first botanical garden here. After the botanical collections moved to their current location near the UN in 1904, the space was converted into a public park.

Key Highlights & Activities

Reformation Wall: A 100-meter-long monument built into the old city walls, featuring statues of John Calvin and other leaders of the Protestant Reformation.

Giant Chessboards: Located near the Place de Neuve entrance, featuring life-sized sets used daily by locals.

Palais Eynard: A neoclassical palace on the park's edge that houses the executive offices of the City of Geneva.

University of Geneva: The park serves as the campus for the university’s main historic building and library.

L'Ancien Manège: A historic former riding school now utilized for events and indoor activities.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Dining: The Pavillon des Bastions, an ornate 19th-century glass pavilion, functions as a restaurant and café with a large outdoor terrace.

Playgrounds: Extensive facilities for children are located in the southern section of the park.

Accessibility: The park is flat and paved with wide gravel paths, making it fully wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Connectivity: Excellent 5G coverage throughout the park.

Best Time to Visit

Winter: The park hosts a major Christmas market and a public ice skating rink (Patinoire des Bastions).

Spring/Summer: Ideal for seeing the flower beds and utilizing the shaded promenades.

Mornings: Best for photographing the Reformation Wall without crowds.

Facts & Legends

The Botanical Legacy: Several rare and ancient trees from the original 19th-century botanical garden remain, including giant sequoias.

The "Escalade" Connection: The park sits at the base of the fortifications that were famously scaled by the Savoyard troops during the failed night attack of 1602, an event still celebrated annually in Geneva.