Geneva facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Geneva Genève  (French)
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Geneva Genève  (French) Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Geneva Genève  (French) Location in Canton of Geneva Show map of Canton of Geneva
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Geneva
District	None
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• Total	Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1,575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). km2 (Formatting error: invalid input when rounding sq mi)
Elevation (Pont du Mont Blanc)	375 m (1,230 ft)
Highest elevation (Chemin du Pommier)	457 m (1,499 ft)
Lowest elevation (Le Rhône)	370 m (1,210 ft)
Population  (2018-12-31)Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
• Total	Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1,575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Demonym(s)	Genevan or Genevese French: Genevois(e)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (Central European Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time)
Postal code(s)	1200, or 1201–09 Genève, 1213 Petit-Lancy, 1227 Les Acacias
SFOS number	Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Surrounded by	Carouge, Chêne-Bougeries, Cologny, Lancy, Grand-Saconnex, Pregny-Chambésy, Vernier, Veyrier
Twin towns	None
Website	SFSO statistics

Geneva (/dʒəˈniːvə/ jə-NEE-və; Arpitan: [dzəˈnɛva]; French: Genève [ʒənɛv]) is the second-largest city in Switzerland. It is the biggest city in the French-speaking part of the country, called Romandy. Geneva is located in the southwest of Switzerland, right where the Rhône River flows out of Lake Geneva. It is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.

Geneva is a very important city for international diplomacy. It hosts more international organizations than any other city in the world. Many parts of the United Nations and the Red Cross have their main offices here. After World War I, the League of Nations was also based in Geneva. This is also where the Geneva Conventions were signed. These agreements set rules for how people should be treated during war.

The city of Geneva has a population of over 200,000 people. The larger area around Geneva, including suburbs in Switzerland and France, has over 1 million people. Geneva is known as a "global city" and the "Peace Capital." It is also a major financial centre. In 2023, it was ranked as the tenth most important financial center in the world. It is also considered one of the most liveable cities.

The Name of Geneva

The city's name, Genava, was first written in Latin texts by Julius Caesar. It probably comes from an old Celtic word, *genawa-, meaning "mouth." This refers to its location at the mouth of the Rhône River as it leaves Lake Geneva. The Italian city of Genoa has a similar name origin.

In the Middle Ages, the area was known as the county of Geneva. Later, it became the Genevois province of Savoy.

Geneva's Past

A view of Geneva by Frances Elizabeth Wynne, 4 August 1858

Geneva was a border town for the Allobroges tribe. It was fortified against the Helvetii tribe before the Roman Republic took control in 121 BC. The city became Christian during the later Roman Empire. Its first bishop arrived in the 5th century.

Aerial view (1966)

During the Middle Ages, Geneva was ruled by a count under the Holy Roman Empire. In the late 14th century, it gained more self-governance. The House of Savoy then began to have some control over the city. In the 15th century, a government run by a small group of powerful families, called an oligarchy, was formed. This happened with the creation of the Grand Council.

In the early 1500s, the Protestant Reformation arrived in Geneva. This led to religious conflicts. Geneva broke away from Savoy rule and became friends with the Swiss Confederacy. In 1541, John Calvin, a key Protestant leader, became the spiritual head of the city. He helped create the Republic of Geneva.

By the 18th century, Catholic France began to influence Geneva. This led to tension with the local people. In 1798, revolutionary France took over Geneva. After the Napoleonic Wars, on June 1, 1814, Geneva joined the Swiss Confederation. In 1907, the separation of Church and State was put into law. Geneva grew a lot in the 19th and 20th centuries. It became home to many international organizations.

Geneva's Location and Climate

Where Geneva is Located

Satellite view of Geneva; Cointrin Airport is centre left. The Salève (in France) is the large area of green at the bottom right.

Geneva is found at the southwestern end of Lake Geneva. This is where the Rhône River starts its journey out of the lake. Three mountain ranges surround the city. These are the Jura main range to the northwest, the Vuache to the south, and the Salève to the southeast.

The Geneva area seen from above the Jura mountain chain, with the International airport in the foreground, and the Mont Blanc mountain range in the background

The city itself covers about 16 square kilometers (6 square miles). The larger area of the canton is 282 square kilometers (109 square miles). A part of the lake, about 38 square kilometers (15 square miles), is also part of Geneva. Most of Geneva's border, 103 kilometers (64 miles), is shared with France. Only 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) of its border is with the rest of Switzerland.

Much of the city's land, about 91.8%, is built up with buildings and roads. Parks and green areas make up 15.7%. The second main river in Geneva is the Arve. It flows into the Rhône just west of the city center. You can see Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, from Geneva.

Geneva's Weather

Average temperature and precipitation 1961–1990

Geneva has a temperate climate, which means it has four distinct seasons. Winters are cool, with light frosts at night and warmer days. Summers are usually warm. Rain falls throughout the year, but autumn tends to be a bit wetter.

Sometimes, a strong northeast wind called the Bise blows across Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). This can cause severe icing in winter. In summer, many people enjoy swimming in the lake. Popular public beaches include Genève Plage and the Bains des Pâquis.

The city gets some snow in the colder months. The nearby mountains get a lot of snow, making them great for skiing. Famous ski resorts like Verbier and Crans-Montana are less than three hours away by car. Mont Salève, just across the French border, is visible from the city. Mont Blanc can also be seen from most of Geneva.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Geneva was 39.7 °C (103.5 °F) in July 2015. The lowest was -20.0 °C (-4.0 °F) in February 1956.

People of Geneva

Population Facts

The Flowered Clock at the Quai du Général-Guisan (English Garden), during the 2012 Geneva Festival

Rue Pierre-Fatio in Geneva

In January 2021, the city of Geneva had a population of 203,856 people. The larger Geneva area, including parts of Switzerland and France, had over 1 million people. This area is growing quickly. Many French people move to Geneva for work because of higher salaries in Switzerland.

Languages Spoken

The official language in Geneva is French. Many people also speak English. This is because many residents work for international organizations and banks. In 2000, most people (72.3%) spoke French as their first language. English was the second most common, followed by Spanish, Italian, and German.

Diverse Population

About 48% of Geneva's population are foreign nationals. This means nearly half of the people living in Geneva come from other countries. Over the last 10 years (1999–2009), Geneva's population grew by 7.2%. This growth is due to both new people moving in and more births than deaths.

In 2008, 47.8% of the population was male and 52.2% was female. Many people living in Geneva were born outside Switzerland.

Historical Population Growth

The city's population has grown significantly over time. In 1550, there were about 12,000–13,000 people. By 1560, this number had doubled to over 25,000.

The chart below shows how Geneva's population has changed through history:

Religious Beliefs

Geneva has a mix of religious beliefs. In 2000, about 37.4% of residents were Catholic. About 23.2% said they had no religion. Around 13.5% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church (Protestant). There were also Muslims, Orthodox Christians, and Jewish people.

Historically, Geneva was known as the Protestant Rome. This was because John Calvin and other Protestant reformers made it their base. Over the last century, many people from Catholic countries have moved to Geneva. This has changed the religious landscape. Today, there are more Roman Catholics than Protestants in the city.

The World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation have their main offices in Geneva.

"Protestant Rome" History

Reformation Wall in Geneva; from left to right: William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox

Before the Protestant Reformation, Geneva was a Catholic city. John Calvin came to Geneva in 1536. The Catholic bishop had left the city in 1532. Geneva then became a strong center for Calvinism.

St. Pierre Cathedral was where Calvin and other Protestant leaders preached. Many important Reformed theologians worked there. Geneva became a safe place for Calvinists. However, Roman Catholics and others considered heretics were sometimes treated harshly. For example, Michael Servetus, who had different religious views, was arrested in Geneva and executed as a heretic.

In 1802, when France took over Geneva, civil rights were given to Catholics and Jews. In 1907, the separation of church and state was made law.

Geneva's Cityscape

View of Geneva to the south. Mont Salève (in France) looms large behind the city, with the white summit of Mont Blanc just visible behind it 70 km (43 mi) away to the southeast. To the left of Mont Blanc is the point of Le Môle, with the Jet d'Eau in the foreground.

View of Geneva from the Salève.

Important Historical Sites

Geneva has 82 buildings and sites listed as important Swiss heritage sites. The entire old city of Geneva is also a protected heritage site.

Religious buildings:

• St. Pierre Cathedral and Chapel des Macchabés
• Notre-Dame Church
• Russian Church
• St-Germain Church
• Temple de la Fusterie
• Temple de l'Auditoire

Civic buildings:

• Former Arsenal and Archives of the City of Genève
• Bibliothèque de Genève (Geneva Library)
• Collège Calvin (a very old school)
• University Hospital of Geneva (HUG)
• Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) and Tour Baudet
• Immeuble Clarté (a famous building)
• Palais des Nations (Palace of Nations) with library and archives of the SDN and ONU
• Palais Wilson
• Parc des Bastions with Mur des Réformateurs (Reformation Wall)
• Jet d'eau (a large fountain)
• University of Geneva
• Victoria Hall (concert hall)

Archeological sites:

• Foundation Baur and Museum of the arts d'Extrême-Orient
• Parc et campagne de la Grange (Neolithic settlement/Roman villa)
• Bronze Age shore settlement of Plonjon
• Temple de la Madeleine archeological site
• Temple Saint-Gervais archeological site
• Old City with Celtic, Roman and medieval villages.

Museums, theaters, and other cultural sites:

• Conservatoire de musique
• Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques (Botanical Garden)
• Ile Rousseau and statue
• Institut et Musée Voltaire
• Mallet House and Museum international de la Réforme
• Musée Ariana
• Museum of Art and History
• Museum d'art moderne et contemporain
• Museum d'ethnographie
• Museum of the International Red Cross
• Musée Rath
• Natural History Museum
• Plainpalais Commune Auditorium
• Pitoëff Theatre
• Villa Bartholoni at the Museum of History and Science.

International organizations:

• CERN
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• International Committee of the Red Cross
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• World Meteorological Organization
• World Trade Organization
• International Telecommunication Union
• World YMCA

• 

  St. Pierre Cathedral

• 

  Collège Calvin

• 

  International Committee of the Red Cross (CICR)

• 

  Conservatory and Botanical Garden of the City of Geneva

• 

  Notre-Dame Church

• 

  Russian Orthodox Church

• 

  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

• 

  Hôtel de Ville and the Tour Baudet

• 

  Institut et Musée Voltaire

• 

  Mallet House and Museum international de la Réforme

• 

  Tavel House

• 

  Brunswick Monument

• 

  Musée d'Art et d'Histoire

• 

  The Villa La Grange

Culture and Traditions

Media and News

Geneva's main newspaper is the Tribune de Genève. Other newspapers like Le Courrier and Le Temps are also popular. Geneva is the main media center for French-speaking Switzerland. It is home to the French language radio and television networks of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. There are also local radio stations and a local TV channel called Léman Bleu.

Special Traditions and Customs

Geneva celebrates Jeûne genevois on the first Thursday after the first Sunday in September. This day remembers when news of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre (a terrible event where many Protestants were killed in France) reached Geneva.

Another important celebration is L'Escalade. It happens on the weekend closest to December 12. This festival celebrates Geneva's victory over a surprise attack by the Duke of Savoy's troops in 1602. People enjoy chocolate cauldrons filled with marzipan vegetables. There is also a procession with people in 17th-century armor. A fun event is the 'Course de l'Escalade', a race through Geneva's Old Town. Many people dress up in costumes for the non-competitive part of the race.

Since 1818, a special chestnut tree in Geneva has been used to announce spring. The city's secretary, called the sautier, watches the tree for its first bud. When it appears, a press release is issued. This is one of the oldest records of a plant reacting to climate. Researchers have noticed that the first bud now appears earlier in the year than it used to.

Music and Festivals

Fireworks at the Fêtes de Genève, 2012

The Grand Théâtre de Genève is the city's opera house. It opened in 1876 and has the largest stage in Switzerland. It hosts opera, dance, and concerts. The Victoria Hall is used for classical music concerts. It is home to the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.

Every summer, Geneva holds the Fêtes de Genève (Geneva Festival). Hundreds of thousands of people come to see the amazing fireworks display. There is also an annual music festival in June. Artists perform in different parts of the city. Other festivals include the Fête de l'Olivier for Arabic music and the Genevan Brass Festival.

Learning in Geneva

Schools and Universities

Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

Geneva's public school system has primary schools (ages 4–12) and middle schools (ages 12–15). After age 15, students can choose from different types of secondary schools. The oldest of these is the Collège Calvin, which is one of the oldest public schools in the world. Geneva also has many private schools.

Many people in Geneva have completed higher education. In 2011, over 107,000 people had a university degree or similar qualification.

The University of Geneva.

Geneva is home to the University of Geneva, with about 16,500 students. It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin as a seminary. In 1873, it became a full university. In 2011, it was ranked among the top European universities.

The Geneva Graduate Institute was one of the first places to teach international relations. It is a very respected institution in Europe.

The International School of Geneva, founded in 1924, is the oldest international school in the world.

CERN: A Science Hub

Founded in 1954, CERN is one of Europe's first joint science projects. It is now the world's largest particle physics laboratory. Scientists from all over the world come to CERN. They research matter and try to understand the basic forces that make up the universe. CERN is home to the Large Hadron Collider, a huge machine used for these experiments.

Geneva also has five major libraries. In 2008, these libraries held over 877,000 books and other media.

Geneva's Economy

Geneva's economy is mostly based on services. It is a world leader in financial centres. Three main areas drive its financial sector: trading goods, financing trade, and managing wealth.

About one-third of the world's freely traded oil, sugar, and grains are traded in Geneva. Many large trading companies have their main offices here. These include companies like Bunge and Cargill. Geneva is also home to the world's largest shipping company, Mediterranean Shipping Company.

Wealth management is another big part of the economy. Many private banks are based in Geneva, such as Pictet and Lombard Odier. Geneva also has the most foreign-owned banks in Switzerland.

After finance, the next biggest industry is watchmaking. Many luxury watch brands like Patek Philippe and Rolex have their factories in Geneva and nearby towns. These industries contribute a lot to the canton's taxes.

Other large international companies also have offices in Geneva. These include Firmenich and Givaudan, which make flavors and fragrances. SGS, the world's largest testing and certification company, is also here.

Geneva is also home to the most international organizations and UN agencies. This includes the Red Cross, World Health Organization, and World Trade Organization. The European headquarters of the United Nations is also in Geneva.

Because it is so international and has a good airport, Geneva is a popular place for conferences and trade fairs. The biggest is the Geneva Motor Show.

Farming is common in the areas around Geneva, especially wheat and wine. The canton produces about 10% of Swiss wine.

In 2019, Geneva's unemployment rate was 3.9%. Most jobs in Geneva are in the service sector. This includes sales, transportation, hotels, finance, and healthcare. Many people commute into Geneva for work.

Sports in Geneva

Ice hockey is very popular in Geneva. The city's team, Genève-Servette HC, plays in the top Swiss league. They play their games at the 7,135-seat Patinoire des Vernets. The team has reached the league finals several times.

The Geneva Seahawks are an American football team. They play in Switzerland's highest league and won the championship in 1991.

Servette FC is Geneva's main football club. It was founded in 1890. It is the most successful football club in French-speaking Switzerland. Servette FC plays at the 30,000-seat Stade de Genève.

Geneva also has a basketball team, the Lions de Genève. They won the Swiss Basketball League in 2013 and 2015.

City Infrastructure

Getting Around Geneva

Geneva railway station

TCMC (Tramway Cornavin – Meyrin – CERN)

Geneva is served by the Geneva Airport. The airport has a train station that connects to both the Swiss and French railway networks. You can take high-speed trains (TGV) to cities like Paris and Lyon. Geneva is also connected to the motorway systems of both Switzerland and France.

Public transport in the city includes buses, trolleybuses, and trams. These are run by Transports Publics Genevois. The network covers the city center and most of the canton. Some lines even go into France. You can also travel by boat on Lake Geneva. The Mouettes Genevoises link the two sides of the lake within the city. Larger boats, run by the Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman, go to more distant places like Lausanne.

Geneva Sécheron railway station

Trains from the airport reach the main station, Cornavin, in just six minutes. New railway stations have opened in the city limits since 2002.

A new rail project, CEVA rail, opened in December 2019. It connects Cornavin with the hospital and other areas, including Annemasse in France. This is part of the Léman Express regional rail network.

TOSA Bus at PALEXPO Flash bus stops

In 2013, an electric bus system called TOSA started. These buses can recharge very quickly at special stops while people get on and off.

Taxis in Geneva can be hard to find. It's often best to book them in advance.

Utilities and Services

The SIG-owned incinerator of Cheneviers, Verbois dam, and the solar farm

Water, natural gas, and electricity are provided by a state-owned company called Services Industriels de Genève (SIG). Most of Geneva's drinking water (80%) comes from Lake Geneva. The rest comes from groundwater. About 30% of the canton's electricity is made locally. This mainly comes from three hydroelectric dams on the Rhône River. Another 13% comes from burning waste. The rest of the electricity is imported from other parts of Switzerland or Europe. SIG only buys electricity made from renewable sources.

Global Organizations in Geneva

The World Intellectual Property Organization.

The assembly hall of the Palais des nations.

Geneva is the European headquarters for the United Nations. Its main building is the Palace of Nations. Many UN agencies are based here. These include the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Health Organization, and the International Labour Organization. The International Baccalaureate Organization is also in Geneva.

Besides UN agencies, Geneva hosts many other inter-governmental organizations. These include the World Trade Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Maison de la Paix building is home to several centers supported by Switzerland. These centers work on peace, international affairs, and sustainable development.

Organizations like the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and CERN are also in Geneva. CERN is the world's largest particle physics laboratory.

The Geneva Environment Network (GEN) lists many global organizations in Geneva that work on environmental protection. Geneva is a popular location for these groups because of its international focus and good cooperation between different organizations.

The World Organization of the Scout Movement also has its main office in Geneva.

Famous People from Geneva

A–C

Gustave Ador

Christiane Brunner

John Calvin, c. 1550

Isaac Casaubon

• Gustave Ador (1845–1928), a statesman and President of the Red Cross.
• David Aebischer (born 1978), an ice hockey goalie who won the Stanley Cup.
• Jacques-Laurent Agasse (1767–1849), a painter of animals and landscapes.
• Henri-Frédéric Amiel (1821–1881), a philosopher, poet, and critic.
• Aimé Argand (1750–1803), a physicist and chemist who invented the Argand lamp.
• Jean-Robert Argand (1768–1822), a mathematician.
• Martha Argerich (born 1941), a famous classical concert pianist.
• John Armleder (born 1948), a performance artist, painter, and sculptor.
• Alexandre Bardinon (born 2002), a racing driver.
• Mathias Beche (born 1986), a racing driver.
• Jean-Luc Bideau (born 1940), a film actor.
• Ernest Bloch (1880–1959), a US composer.
• Roger Bocquet (1921–1994), a footballer for Switzerland.
• Caroline Boissier-Butini (1786–1836), a pianist and composer.
• François Bonivard (1493–1570), a historian from Geneva.
• Charles Bonnet (1720–1793), a naturalist and writer.
• Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986), an Argentine writer who studied in Geneva.
• Nicolas Bouvier (1929–1998), a writer and photographer.
• Christiane Brunner (born 1947), a politician and lawyer.
• Jean-Jacques Burlamaqui (1694–1748), a legal and political theorist.
• John Calvin (1509–1564), an important religious reformer.
• Augustin Pyramus de Candolle (1778–1841), a botanist who worked on plant classification.
• Clint Capela (born 1994), a professional basketball player.
• Isaac Casaubon (1559–1614), a classical scholar.
• Jean-Jacques Challet-Venel (1811–1893), a politician.
• Alfred Edward Chalon (1780–1860), a portrait painter.
• Henri Christiné (1867–1941), a French composer.
• Paulo Coelho (born 1947), a Brazilian novelist who lives in Geneva.
• Renée Colliard (1933–2022), an alpine skier and Olympic gold medalist.
• Gabriel Cramer (1704–1752), a mathematician from Geneva.

D–G

Michel Decastel, 2012

Jean Henri Dunant, 1901

Kat Graham, 2017

• Maryam d'Abo (born 1960), an English film and TV actress.
• Michel Decastel (born 1955), a football manager and player.
• Jean-Denis Delétraz (born 1963), a racing driver.
• Joël Dicker (born 1985), an author and novelist.
• Giovanni Diodati (1576–1649), an Italian Calvinist theologian.
• Élie Ducommun (1833–1906), a peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
• Armand Dufaux (1833–1941), an aviation pioneer.
• Henri Dufaux (1879–1980), a French-Swiss aviation pioneer and painter.
• Henry Dunant (1828–1910), who founded the Red Cross and won the first Nobel Peace Prize.
• Isabelle Eberhardt (1877–1904), a Russian-Swiss explorer and writer.
• Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, Prince of Venice (born 1972), a member of the House of Savoy.
• Louis Favre (1826–1879), an engineer who built the Gotthard Tunnel.
• Ian Fleming (1908–1964), the author of James Bond, who studied in Geneva.
• Sylvie Fleury (born 1961), a contemporary artist.
• Albert Gallatin (1761–1849), an American politician from Geneva.
• Claude Goretta (1929–2019), a film director.
• Emilie Gourd (1879–1946), a journalist and activist for women's voting rights.
• Kat Graham (born 1989), an actress and singer, known for The Vampire Diaries.
• Cédric Grand (born 1976), a bobsledder and Olympic medalist.
• Romain Grosjean (born 1986), a former Formula 1 racing driver.

H–M

Francois Huber

Paul Lachenal, 1939

Lenin in Switzerland, 1916

Amelie Mauresmo, 2014

• Abraham Hermanjat (1862–1932), a painter.
• Germain Henri Hess (1802–1850), a chemist who created Hess's law.
• François Huber (1750–1831), a naturalist who studied bees.
• Pierre Jeanneret (1896–1967), an architect.
• Thomas Jouannet (born 1970), an actor.
• Charles Journet (1891–1975), a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Louis Jurine (1751–1819), a physician and naturalist.
• Adrien Lachenal (1849–1918), a politician.
• Paul Lachenal (1884–1955), a politician who helped found the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.
• Marie Laforêt (1939–2019), a French singer and actress.
• Sarah Lahbati (born 1993), an actress and singer.
• François Le Fort (1656–1699), the first Russian Admiral.
• Georges-Louis Le Sage (1724–1803), a physicist.
• Jean Leclerc (1657–1736), a theologian.
• Henri Leconte (born 1963), a French professional tennis player.
• Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924), who lived in Geneva as an exile.
• Jean-Étienne Liotard (1702–1789), a painter.
• Corinne Maier (born 1963), a psychoanalyst and writer.
• Ella Maillart (1903–1997), an adventurer, writer, and sportswoman.
• Frank Martin (1890–1974), a composer.
• Amélie Mauresmo (born 1979), a former professional tennis player and world No.1.
• Barthélemy Menn (1815–1893), a landscape painter.
• Alain Menu (born 1963), a racing driver.
• Roman Mityukov (born 2000), an Olympic swimmer.
• Giorgio Mondini (born 1980), a racing driver.
• Stephanie Morgenstern (born 1965), a Canadian actress and filmmaker.
• Edoardo Mortara (born 1987), a Swiss-Italian racing driver.
• Gustave Moynier (1826–1910), a lawyer and co-founder of the Red Cross.

N–R

Liliane Maury Pasquier, 2007

Pierre Prévost

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Jacques Necker (1732–1804), a banker and finance minister for Louis XVI of France.
• Louis Albert Necker (1786–1861), a crystallographer and geographer.
• Felix Neff (1798–1829), a Protestant leader.
• Julie Ordon (born 1984), a model and actress.
• Rémy Pagani (born 1954), a politician and former Mayor of Geneva.
• Liliane Maury Pasquier (born 1956), a politician.
• Jean Petitot (1607–1691), an enamel painter.
• Jean Piaget (1896–1980), a clinical psychologist.
• Barbara Polla (born 1950), a medical doctor and art curator.
• James Pradier (1790–1852), a sculptor.
• Pierre Prévost (1751–1839), a philosopher and physicist.
• Tariq Ramadan (born 1962), a Swiss Muslim academic and writer.
• Marcel Raymond (1897–1981), a literary critic.
• Flore Revalles (1889–1966), a singer, dancer, and actress.
• Auguste Arthur de la Rive (1801–1873), a physicist.
• François Jules Pictet de la Rive (1809–1872), a zoologist.
• Marc Rosset (born 1970), a former professional tennis player and Olympic gold medalist.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), a famous writer and philosopher.
• Jean Rousset (1910–2002), a literary critic.
• Xavier Ruiz (born 1970), a film producer and director.

S–Z

Ferdinand de Saussure

Michael Schade, 2012

Michel Simon, 1964

Johann Vogel, 2006

Voltaire

• Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913), a linguist.
• Horace Bénédict de Saussure (1740–1799), a geologist and Alpine explorer.
• Nicolas-Théodore de Saussure (1767–1845), a chemist.
• Michael Schade (born 1965), a Canadian opera singer.
• Johann Jacob Schweppe (1740–1821), who developed Schweppes carbonated water.
• Philippe Senderos (born 1985), a footballer for Switzerland.
• Michel Simon (1895–1975), an actor.
• Jean Charles Léonard de Sismondi (1773–1842), a historian and economist.
• Edward Snowden (born 1983), who lived in Geneva while working for the CIA.
• Pierre Soubeyran (1706–1775), an engraver.
• Jacques Charles François Sturm (1803–1855), a French mathematician.
• Émile Taddéoli (1879–1920), a Swiss aviation pioneer.
• Alain Tanner (1929–2022), a film director.
• Sigismund Thalberg (1812–1871), an Austrian composer and pianist.
• Rodolphe Töpffer (1799–1846), a teacher, author, and cartoonist.
• Vico Torriani (1920–1998), a singer and actor.
• Théodore Tronchin (1709–1781), a physician from Geneva.
• François Turrettini (1623–1687), a theologian.
• Johann Vogel (born 1977), a former footballer for Switzerland.
• Voltaire (1694–1778), a famous French philosopher who lived in Geneva.
• Pierre Wissmer (1915–1992), a Swiss-French composer.
• Jean Ziegler (born 1934), a politician and sociologist.
• Reto Ziegler (born 1986), a footballer for Switzerland.

See also

In Spanish: Ginebra para niños