InterContinental Geneve

The humanitarian adventure emotion, discovery, reflection: the Museum offers you a unique opportunity to enter into the history of humanitarian action. Three separate areas, each developed by a well-known exhibition architect, allow you to explore three major challenges in today’s world: Defending human dignity, restoring family links, reducing natural risks. An interactive chronology unfurls 150 years of humanitarian history, while current focus enables you to track Red Cross and Red Crescent operations right around the globe.

Explore the secrets of St Peter's Cathedral by visiting its towers. Whether in summer or winter, the most beautiful view of Geneva and the lake awaits you from the top of the Cathedral's towers. During the visit you'll be able to climb the 157 steps of the towers leading to the top of the Cathedral. You will also discover magnificent architectural treasures - an emblematic symbol of the Reformation. In addition, the Cathedral holds the largest collection of Romanesque and Gothic capitals in Switzerland, while the stained-glass windows, identical to the Renaissance examples found in the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire (Museum of Art and History) date back to restoration work carried out in the 19th century.

The lakeshore’s star attraction is the elegant water fountain, dazzling visitors as it shoots 140 metres into the sky. Originally a simple security valve at the Coulouvrenière hydraulic factory, the Jet d'Eau has become the landmark of Geneva. Its millions of air bubbles will immediately put you under its spell. The fountain came into being by chance. In 1886, a hydraulic power station was built to deliver water under pressure from the Rhône to the city’s fountains, households and factories. One evening, pressure build-ups forced the engineers to install a special pressure relief valve. This marked the birth of the Jet d’Eau. The ephemeral work of art soon became a tourist attraction and was moved closer to the lakeside. With time, water column grew taller. Since 1951, an autonomous pumping station has propelled 500 litres of water per second to a height of 140 metres at a speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). Geneva city occasionally illuminates the water fountain with different colours in order to pay tributes.

The Globe of Science and Innovation is a landmark for CERN and a symbol of sustainable development for all. It is 27 metres high and 40 metres in diameter, which is about the size of the St. Peter's Basilica's dome in Rome! A unique visual landmark by day and by night, the Globe of Science and Innovation is a metaphor for Planet Earth. On the ground floor , the ‘Universe of Particles’ exhibition takes the visitor on a journey deep into the world of particles and back to the Big Bang. It could also be used as a venue for different events.

‘Broken Chair’ is the work of sculptor Daniel Berset. It was made in 1997 for the NGO Handicap International. Its message is simple: remember the victims of landmines, urge your government to promote a ban on landmines. To illustrate this combat, the Broken Chair stands on three legs, the fourth being splintered half way up. The chair stands proudly to a height of 12 metres and has an air of dignity. Nearby: the European headquarters of the United Nations, guided tours.