Jaunted

So okay, you’ve been skiing in the Alps, and to you, Geneva is just a sea-level depression between the vastly more interesting mountains. We drove down to the Quai du Général-Guisan, and at the stroke of 10am, up came the biggest reminder that Geneva in summertime is all about the water: the Jet d’Eau, 460 feet of high pressure spray.

Formerly the security valve of a hydraulic factory, the Swiss (practical people) recognized the symbolic nature of the unique attraction, and it now has a dedicated pumping station, as well as some dramatic evening lighting. At 10am, the lake is already busy, and we spent the next four days taking advantage of everything there is to do on and around it.

Situated where the Rhône River exits the lake, Lake Geneva (known here and nowhere else as Lac Léman) is 225 square miles in the western part of Switzerland—the southern shore is actually in France, with views on a clear day of Mont-Blanc, just behind the Savoy Alps (“Look at these buildings,” declared our guide, driving through the French part, “so boring. So identical So French.”)

Meanwhile the northern side, La Côte, is a fascinating cross-section of Swiss culture, French in flavor (although the country as a whole is predominantly German) and as such, spends the summer focused simply on enjoyment. We took advantage of our Swiss friends’ willingness to share their good life, and attempted water sports shenanigans of all kinds.

Watch this space for more from Lake Geneva over the next week.

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· Berlin Field Trip [Jaunted]

[Photo: Kim-Briggs]