Hôtel de Ville de Genève

Geneva Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville de Genève) sits in the middle of the Old Town and still works as a seat of government. The cantonal parliament, the Grand Council, meets here, and so does the cantonal executive, the Council of State. For visitors it is one of the Old Town's most rewarding sights, tying local politics to the birth of the Red Cross movement.

How did the building take shape?

It was never built to a single plan. The story starts with a house the city bought early in the 15th century, and further sections were added over the following centuries. Its present form comes from work carried out between the 15th and 18th centuries, which explains the plain but uneven look of the facade and courtyard. The building is protected: cantonal classification dates from 1921, and it also appears in Switzerland's inventory of cultural property of national importance.

Why are there no stairs inside?

The best-known feature is the interior ramp, built between 1555 and 1578. Instead of a staircase, a cobbled spiral slope leads to the upper floors. Guides say officials could ride up to the upper levels, and other stories mention barrels being carried up. The ramp runs beside the Baudet tower, first recorded in 1455, which today houses the canton's state archives.

What is the link to the Geneva Convention?

The ground-floor Alabama Room is where the first Geneva Convention was signed in 1864, the document that launched modern humanitarian law and the work of the Red Cross. The signing is dated 22 August 1864. The room's name comes from the Confederate cruiser Alabama: in 1872 an arbitration tribunal met here to settle a claim between the United States and Britain.

What should you look at?

• The facade and courtyard on the Old Town side.
• The entrance to the ramp and its cobbled surface.
• The Baudet tower and the cantonal archives it holds.
• The Alabama Room, though interior access depends on visiting dates, so check the canton's website first.

The Cathedral of St Peter, Bourg-de-Four square and the Reformation Wall are all close, so the town hall fits easily into a walk around the whole district.

When should you go?

The exterior can be seen at any time of year. The Old Town is busiest in spring and summer and calmer in autumn and winter. In 2026 the Grand Council marks 500 years since 1526, which makes this a fitting year to visit.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Geneva Town Hall? In the Old Town (Vieille-Ville), a short walk from St Peter's Cathedral.

Is it still used by the authorities? Yes. It hosts the Grand Council and the Council of State of the canton of Geneva.

What is the ramp? A cobbled 16th-century spiral slope that replaces stairs and leads to the upper floors.

How is the building linked to the Red Cross? The first Geneva Convention, the basis of humanitarian law, was signed in the Alabama Room in 1864.