January 11, 2019

Jardin des Deux Rives / Garten der Zwei Ufer & Weißtannenturm

The Jardin des Deux Rives (Park of the Two Shores), also known as Garten der Zwei Ufer in German, is a park built in 2004 that straddles the France / Germany border along the river Rhine: One part is in Strasbourg, the other in Kehl. The two parts are linked with a pedestrian / bike bridge, the Passerelle des Deux Rives. On the south part of the park in Kehl is the Weißtannenturm (White fir tower), a wooden tower with a good view on the park and the Rhine from the top.

January 6, 2019

European Parliament (Strasbourg)

The city of Strasbourg in eastern France is the official seat of the European Parliament. All votes take place in the hemicycle inside the Louise Weiss building, located in the Quartier Européen (European Quarter) of the city. It is possible to visit it as part of a ~1h guided tour.

December 9, 2018

Summer walk in Geneva

Last summer, I went on a day trip to Geneva. Starting at La Jonction, I visited some highlights of the city and walked near the lake.

November 1, 2018

Jet d'Eau

The Jet d’Eau is a large 140m-high fountain in Lake Geneva, located in the Eaux-Vives district of Geneva next to where the lake flows into the Rhône. It is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and is visible from far away. There is a walkway, the Jetée des Eaux-Vives, to get right next to the nozzle. Here is a schedule of the operating hours of the fountain.

October 24, 2018

La Jonction in Geneva: Confluence of Rhône and Arve rivers

La Jonction is a place in Geneva where the rivers Rhône and Arve join with each other. The rivers have different colors and, when meeting, their waters mix together into the one final river, Rhône. For a good view of this phenomenon, there is a viewpoint next to the water, as well as a bridge (Viaduc de la Jonction) 40m above.

September 10, 2018

Fort l'Écluse

Fort l’Écluse is a fortress near Bellegarde-sur-Valserine. It guards the Rhône valley between the Vuache hills and the Jura Mountains and is a natural entrance into France from Geneva. The fort was founded by the Duchy of Savoy in the 13th century and, after it was ceded to France along with the Pays de Gex during the reign of Louis XIV, completed by Vauban. It was destroyed by the Austrians in 1815, but was rebuilt by the French and considerably strengthened and heightened. The fort is open to visitors during summer.

August 26, 2018

Nécropole nationale des Glières (Thônes)

The Nécropole nationale des Glières (National cemetary of the Glieres) in Thônes is the final resting place of 105 resistance fighters killed in 1944 during the fight for Plateau des Glières nearby.

August 19, 2018

Annecy Paysages art festival

Annecy Paysages is an open-air art festival taking place in the center of Annecy this summer, until the beginning of September. Here is a map of all the artworks. There are a few events outside the city as well.

August 3, 2018

Jardin des Remparts

The Jardin des Remparts is a small and well hidden park located in the Old Town of Annecy, not far from the castle. It is dedicated to Father Jean-Marie Delavay, a priest from Haute-Savoie who served as a christian missionary in Yunnan, China during the 19th century. He introduced many new plant species to Europe.

July 31, 2018

Jardin des Chartreux

Jardin des Chartreux is a park in the Croix-Rousse neighbourhood of Lyon. It offers a good view on the Saône below and the Fourvière hill.

sightseeing