Save this place and discover nearby attractions with NextOnTrip
In the app you can add it to your favorites, see what else is worth visiting nearby on the map, and earn a badge for your visit.
The app is available for iPhone and Android.
About this place
Parc Gustave et Léonard Hentsch is a large public park in Geneva's Charmilles district, laid out on the site of a former football stadium. It is a free green space amid dense housing, and locals simply call it Parc Hentsch.
Who is the park named after, and what is its history?
The name honours the Hentsch family, well known in Geneva for banking. Bénédict Hentsch donated the park to the city in 2016. The land has a layered past: during the 1720 plague in Marseille, authorities set up a lazaret here, a quarantine station for travellers and goods. The railway cutting of 1857 sped up the neighbourhood's growth, Servette FC settled nearby in 1901, and the Stade des Charmilles later occupied the plot. A few traces of it remain.
What is there to see?
- A broad central lawn and walking paths that link the park to the surrounding streets.
- Roughly 20,000 plants and more than 400 trees.
- Water terraces (Terrasses d'eau).
- A 25-metre floodlight pylon, the last remnant of the stadium.
- A 5-metre earth mound that dampens noise from Avenue de la Châtelaine.
- Sculptures by the artist Zaric.
- A playground and outdoor fitness equipment from the Proxisport programme.
The grounds are maintained ecologically, without chemical products.
How to get there and when to visit
The park lies by Avenue de Châtelaine and Chemin des Sports, northwest of central Geneva, and is entered from the Charmilles streets. It is open every day, around the clock. Warm days are best, when the water terraces are in use and the lawn invites a picnic or a rest.
Park rules
Visitors are asked to keep the peace. Bicycles and other vehicles are not allowed. Dogs are banned from the lawns but may use the paths on a leash.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parc Hentsch free to enter?
Yes. It is a public park, free and open 24 hours a day.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. There is a playground, and outdoor fitness equipment sits nearby.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a leash and only on the paths. Dogs are not permitted on the lawns.
What remains of the Charmilles stadium?
Mainly the 25-metre floodlight pylon, which stands as a landmark of the site's sporting past.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.