Parc des Bastions

Parc des Bastions in Geneva is the largest historic park in the city centre, spread out beneath the Old Town hill. It combines university buildings, old botanical plantings and one of the best-known Protestant monuments in Europe within a compact, walkable area.

What is there to see in Parc des Bastions?

The headline sight is the Reformation Wall (Mur des Réformateurs). It runs about 100 metres, with four statues five metres tall at its centre: John Calvin, Guillaume Farel, Théodore de Bèze and John Knox. The city motto, "Post Tenebras Lux", is carved above them. The monument dates from 1909 and marks the 400th anniversary of Calvin's birth and the 350th of the Geneva Academy, the forerunner of today's university. Architects Laverrière and Taillens designed it with sculptors Landowski and Bouchard.

The other crowd-puller is the giant chess boards beside the park's bandstand. They are free to use, and there is nearly always a game going or a small audience watching.

The park also works as an open-air arboretum. More than 200 species grow here, and roughly 140 trees carry name labels. Look for Japanese maples, Atlas cedars and Himalayan weeping pines. The veteran trees recall the first botanical garden, which Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle founded on this site in 1817.

What is the history of the park?

The promenade was laid out in the early 18th century between the old Reformation-era fortifications and two 17th-century bastions. A heritage inventory gives 1724-1727. The park is now framed by the University of Geneva and the Bibliothèque de Genève, along with the Palais Eynard, home of the city's executive authorities.

How do you get there and when should you go?

The park sits at the edge of the Old Town next to Place Neuve, an easy walk from the city centre. It is open daily around the clock and admission is free. Spring and summer bring full foliage, while autumn gives the strongest colour. Allow about an hour for the wall and a stroll along the paths.

What can you combine with a visit?

Directly above the park runs the Promenade de la Treille, shaded by chestnut trees. It has a 120-metre wooden bench and looks down over the Bastions. From there you can walk straight into the Old Town streets.

Frequently asked questions

Is Parc des Bastions free to enter? Yes. It is a public park, open 24 hours, and you can see the Reformation Wall without a ticket.

Who is shown on the Reformation Wall? Calvin, Farel, Bèze and John Knox, key figures of the Reformation. Each statue stands about five metres tall.

Can I play the giant chess? Yes. The boards are next to the bandstand and are free. The pieces are large, so a game takes some effort.

Is it a good stop with children? Yes. There is plenty of green space to walk, and the chess boards and towering statues tend to hold younger visitors' interest.