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Step into Geneva's history through authentic postcards dating from the 1890s to the 1960s. Follow the footsteps of a traveller and discover how the city changed over time.
Ready? Our journey begins here!
Ready? Our journey begins here!
I have just arrived from Lyon at Geneva's Cornavin railway station. After a long journey, it's time to find my hotel before exploring the city.
I have just arrived from Lyon at Geneva's Cornavin railway station. After a long journey, it's time to find my hotel before exploring the city.
A short walk from the station brings me to the Rue du Mont-Blanc and the Hôtel Suisse. I leave my luggage at the hotel and head out towards the lake.
♦️ This postcard dates from 1898 and is the oldest postcard in our journey. At the time, the reverse side was reserved exclusively for the recipient's address, so messages were written on the front, often around the picture.
On my way to the lake, I'll make a quick stop at the Mont-Blanc Post Office. I'll send a postcard home and let my family know I've arrived safely.
Did you notice?
Look carefully at the roof of the Mont-Blanc Post Office. The statues that once stood on the façade of the building are no longer there. Old postcards often show architectural details that have disappeared from the modern city.
I leave the post office and continue towards the lake. The view is already beginning to open up... I can see the Brunswick Monument next to the Mont-Blanc Bridge, steamers cruising across the lake, swans gliding on the water and seagulls flying overhead. What a beautiful place! People must be very happy to live here.
I cross the Mont-Blanc Bridge to reach the Jet d'Eau.
♦️ The Jet d'Eau has stood here since 1891. It has grown several times over the years: on this postcard, it reaches 90 metres; today, it rises to 140 metres.
Five retired people look after the fountain. They turn it on every morning and off again at night.
It's time to leave the lake behind and walk up the hill to the Old Town. Let's head inside St. Peter's Cathedral.
♦️ The cathedral was built at the end of the 12th century. On 10 August 1535, Mass was abolished in Geneva, and the cathedral has been used for Protestant worship ever since.
Despite what this postcard suggests, the pulpit shown here is not the one from which Calvin preached. It dates from the 19th century. As for the chair, there is no documentary evidence confirming that it actually belonged to Calvin.
After the Cathedral, I decide to do a little shopping in the Old Town. I love antique shops!
♦️ This little shop, Chaudronnier, was one of the places that attracted curious tourists and collectors of old objects. In 1958, it was still run by Mr. Rastello, an artisan who repaired and restored old pewter objects.
Did you notice?
The serrated edges of this postcard are highly typical of postcards from the 1950s and 1960s. The colors are amazing — it almost looks like a painting!
I would love to see a show tonight. Let's see if I can find a ticket for this evening at the opera house.
It’s raining… Maybe not the best day to visit Geneva!
Did you notice?
The Grand Théâtre looks different today. This postcard shows the building before the 1951 fire, when an elegant dome topped the theatre. The fire destroyed the dome, which was later replaced by the concrete structure visible today.
I'm tired. I woke up early this morning, so it's time to head back to the hotel for a rest.
Oh, look at that tower! It has three clocks!
Did you notice?
At the end of the 19th century, this tower had three clocks showing three different times: Geneva time in the middle, Paris time on the left, and Bern time on the right. Before a standard time based on the Greenwich meridian was introduced, these local differences could be confusing for travelers when planning their train journeys.
Tomorrow, the journey continues...
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