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About this place
The Pictet de Rochemont statue in Geneva stands on the Promenade de la Treille in the Old Town, a short walk from the Hôtel de Ville and St. Peter's Cathedral. The bronze portrait honours the diplomat who helped win international recognition of Swiss neutrality in 1815.
Who was Charles Pictet de Rochemont?
He was born in Geneva on 21 September 1755 and died there on 28 December 1824. He first served as an officer in a French regiment (1775–1785), joined Geneva's Council of Two Hundred in 1788 and became major of the Genevan Legion in 1792. For some twenty years he then stayed out of politics, co-founding the journal Bibliothèque britannique and breeding merino sheep at Lancy.
When the French garrison left in late 1813, he helped draft the provisional government's proclamation, which earned him the nickname "père de la patrie". He went on to represent Geneva, and later the Swiss Confederation, at the congresses that redrew Europe: Paris, Vienna (1814–1815) and Turin (1816). His results included links between Geneva's territories, a free zone covering the Pays de Gex, and recognition of Switzerland's perpetual neutrality on 20 November 1815.
What will you see?
The monument is a 1969 bronze portrait by Geneva sculptor Peter Hartmann (1921–2007), who was born in Hamburg. The commission came in 1968 and the work was installed the following year. Hartmann also worked as a restorer at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, and this statue is regarded as his most important commission.
It is a modest piece, so treat it as one stop on a stroll through the Old Town hill. The Treille promenade is known for its views over the Bastions park and towards the Jura, and the Reformation Wall is close by.
How do you get there?
The statue sits at about 46.2008° N, 6.1463° E. From Cornavin station it is roughly a 20–25 minute walk via the Mont-Blanc bridge and Grand-Rue, or you can take a tram towards Bel-Air or Rive and climb the rest of the way. Entry is free because the statue stands on an open promenade.
When should you visit?
The promenade is open all year. Daytime in clear weather is best, when the park and surrounding views are visible. The statue takes only minutes to see, so combine it with the Hôtel de Ville and the cathedral.
Frequently asked questions
Who does the statue depict?
Charles Pictet de Rochemont (1755–1824), a Geneva diplomat who negotiated for Geneva and Switzerland at the congresses after Napoleon's fall.
Who made it?
Peter Hartmann, a Geneva sculptor. It was commissioned in 1968 and installed in 1969.
Is there an entry fee?
No. The statue stands on a public promenade and can be seen at any time.
What else is nearby?
St. Peter's Cathedral, the Hôtel de Ville, the Bastions park and the Reformation Wall, all within a short walk.
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