Top Historical Attractions in Geneva

If you're a winter sports enthusiast who frequents the mountain resorts of Europe, chances are that you're familiar with Geneva airport. Ski transfers to nearby resorts make for efficient travelling, with no need to hang around waiting €" although, of course, you do have the option of delaying your transfer and dipping your toe into Geneva itself. So why not give yourself a few spare hours and choose from the city's wealth of interesting attractions, before heading on to your destination with a bit of history in your pocket?

Cathedrale de St-Pierre

The Old Town is a delight in itself, with winding cobbled streets and coffee shops so deliciously cosy that you'll be thanking yourself for scheduling your Geneva airport ski transfers for later in the day. But the quarter's piece de resistance is the Cathedral, a building steeped in history. The site has been a religious one since the 5th century, and the remains of the Cathedral's earliest incarnation can still be seen in the underground archaeological site. The current building is famous for being the church where John Calvin preached in the 16th century. It's also the perfect attraction for anyone who doesn't have long in the city, as the view from the tower lets you see everything else without having to walk all over town!

Mur de la Reformation

Geneva played a pivotal role in the Protestant Reformation. The earliest Protestants, refugees from Catholic France, came to the city in 1523 and their teachings quickly spread. This would lead to years of conflict with Rome, ultimately resulting in Geneva becoming an officially Protestant city. The Reformation Wall in the Parc des Bastions Geneva was built in 1909 to commemorate these events, while the nearby Reformation Museum illuminates the history. A must-visit for anyone interested in European political and religious history €" plus the park itself is a lovely place to stretch your legs before continuing on your Geneva airport ski transfers.

United Nations and Red Cross Museum

Bringing history up to date in Geneva is the United Nations building, headquarters of the UN in Europe and therefore both an important piece of European history and a vital part of today's global politics. Just across the road is the Red Cross Museum, so you can easily fit both into a short city break before taking your Geneva airport ski transfers. The Red Cross Museum is well worth a visit, charting the development of the world's oldest humanitarian organisation and uses exciting multimedia displays to good effect in demonstrating the continuing importance of the Red Cross today.