Rooftops in Geneva: the harbour, the Jet d'Eau and the mountains seen from above
The city at the end of the lake
The second-largest city in Switzerland after Zurich, with some 210,000 inhabitants, Geneva lies at the south-western tip of Lake Geneva, on both banks of the Rhône, which flows out of the lake here. The city sits at the centre of a basin framed by hills and mountains that all lie in France, from the Salève to the Voirons and the long line of the Jura. A French-speaking city, it is home to the European headquarters of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and dozens of international organisations.
From the Old Town to the Jet d'Eau
On the left bank, the Old Town grew up on a hill crowned by Saint-Pierre Cathedral, one of the most visited monuments in the city. A stronghold of the Reformation, Geneva earned its nickname of “Protestant Rome” here. At its foot, the Rues-Basses and the Rue du Rhône line up their luxury boutiques all the way to the quays. In the harbour, the Jet d'Eau shoots its column of water up to 140 metres high: it is the landmark your eyes search for from almost every rooftop in the city.
Where to rise above Geneva
Left bank, facing the harbour
On the Quai du Général-Guisan, the MET Rooftop Lounge occupies the roof of the Hôtel Métropole in the warmer months, on the 5th floor, directly opposite the Jardin anglais: the harbour, the sailing boats and the Jet d'Eau appear above the treetops. A few streets away, on the 8th floor of an office building on the Rue du Rhône, Rooftop°42 extends its dining room with a terrace overlooking the lake and the Jet d'Eau. Almost next door, on the 7th floor of the Ruby Claire hotel, the Ruby Claire Rooftop has two terraces set among the rooftops of the city centre: there is no lake panorama here, but a relaxed atmosphere and a bar open day and night.
Right bank, on the banks of the Rhône
On the Quai des Bergues, very close to the Île Rousseau, Izumi has taken up residence at the top of the Four Seasons Hôtel des Bergues: a dining room on the 6th floor and, in fine weather, a terrace on the roof facing the lake, the Jet d'Eau, the Old Town and, on a clear day, Mont-Blanc.
In La Praille, on the mountain side
To the south, in the municipality of Lancy, a stone's throw from Carouge, Rooftop 105 has taken over the top floor of a former industrial building converted into a coworking space. Its wooden terraces look out towards the Salève and the Jura, in a district undergoing a complete transformation, where Geneva's stadium stands alongside warehouses and new buildings.
Food and cocktails up high
For every budget
Prices are displayed in Swiss francs. Expect to pay CHF 16 for a classic cocktail at Rooftop 105 and CHF 18 for its signature creations, and CHF 22 to 26 for a cocktail at the MET Rooftop Lounge, where spritzes cost CHF 24. As for food, you can go from the tacos at Rooftop 105 to the sharing tapas at the MET, from the Asian-accented French dishes at Rooftop°42 to the small Italian plates at the Ruby Claire Rooftop, and on to Izumi's Nikkei cuisine, halfway between Japan and Peru.
A rooftop for every occasion
As a couple or with friends
For a dinner for two facing the lake, Izumi relies on its terrace and its refined cuisine, and the MET Rooftop Lounge on its sunsets over the harbour. With friends, Rooftop°42 turns into a party venue in the evening with singers and DJs, Rooftop 105 strings together DJ sets and a nightclub until the early hours, and the Ruby Claire Rooftop welcomes guests at any hour for a laid-back drink.
Getting around easily
The tram serves the city centre: Molard stop for Rooftop°42 and the Ruby Claire Rooftop, Rive stop or a bus to the Métropole stop for the MET Rooftop Lounge. Izumi is about ten minutes' walk from Cornavin station. For Rooftop 105, the Lancy-Bachet Léman Express station and trams 12 and 18 are a few minutes' walk away.
Tips for making the most of Geneva's rooftops
Choosing your season and your time
The MET Rooftop Lounge opens in the warmer months, from Tuesday to Saturday in the late afternoon and evening, and the terraces of the Ruby Claire Rooftop from Easter to October, weather permitting, while the indoor bar stays open all year round, 24 hours a day. Izumi's terrace opens in fine weather; the rest of the year, dinner is served in the dining room on the 6th floor. Rooftop°42 is open all year round from Tuesday to Saturday, and Rooftop 105 from Thursday to Saturday evening, with covered, heated terraces when it is cold. Book for dinner at Izumi and at Rooftop°42; at the MET, tables cannot be reserved, so it is best to arrive early on summer evenings. Smart dress is expected at the MET and, in the evening, at Rooftop°42. Arrive in the late afternoon to watch the sun set over the lake and the Jura.
Photo : Stéphane Pecorini (fr:Utilisateur:Stéphane_Pecorini, www.pecorini.ch) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR