Parc Mon Repos

Parc Mon Repos in Geneva is one of the city's earliest public parks, set on the north shore of Lake Geneva between rue de Lausanne, avenue de France and the water. Lawns, lake views and a historic villa make it an easy, quiet stop close to the centre.

Where does the name come from, and how did the park become public?

In the 19th century the estate belonged to the Plantamour family. Around 1856 the chemist and physicist Philippe Plantamour bought it, villa included, from the banker Henry Hentsch. The Plantamour brothers turned the house into a cultural meeting place, and guests such as Hans Christian Andersen and Chateaubriand are recorded as visitors. When Philippe died in 1898, he left the park to the City of Geneva, and it has served the public ever since.

What is there to see?

The centrepiece is the 19th-century Villa Mon Repos at the lower end of the park, ringed by flower beds. From 1901 until the late 1930s it housed the ethnography museum, and later the experimental centre of Geneva television, which sent out its first broadcast signal here in 1954. Today it is home to the Institut Henry-Dunant.

Right by the water, a small stone pavilion holds a limnology station. Plantamour set it up to study the lake, and it still monitors the lake's physical and biological processes. Among the trees, look for an old plane tree above the Mouettes boat landing and exotic palms near the paddling pool.

Is it good for families?

Yes. There is a playground and a paddling pool, and shaded paths help on hot days. Dogs are welcome on a lead.

How do I get there and when should I go?

The park sits at the northern entrance to the city centre and is the first in a chain of five lakeside parks with views of the city and the mountains. The city says it is open around the clock. Late spring to early autumn is best, when the flower beds bloom and the lakeshore is warmest. From here you can stroll on to the neighbouring Moynier and La Perle du Lac parks, which opened to the public in 1929.

Frequently asked questions

Is Parc Mon Repos free? Yes. It is a municipal park, open to everyone day and night.

Can I go inside the villa? The villa houses the Institut Henry-Dunant rather than a visitor attraction, so the park itself is the main draw.

Are dogs allowed? Yes, on a lead.

Is there anything for children? Yes, the park has a playground and a paddling pool.

Can I combine it with other parks? Yes. Mon Repos is the first of five lakeside parks, so you can extend the walk to Moynier and La Perle du Lac.