Bois De La Bâtie

Bois de la Bâtie is a wooded hill in the west of Geneva, close to the Jonction where the Rhône and the Arve meet, and it is one of the city's largest and most loved green spaces. Covering roughly twelve hectares, it rises above the Arve with shady paths, open glades and viewing points, and its mix of mature trees and meadow offers a surprisingly rural feel only a short distance from the centre. For residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods it works as a daily park, a place for jogging, dog walking and picnics, while for visitors it is a quiet alternative to the lakeside promenades.

The woods are made up of a variety of local trees, among them oak, beech and hornbeam, and they shelter birds, squirrels and many insects. Paths wind through the trees in loops of different lengths, and benches and tables are scattered along them. In spring the forest floor is covered with wildflowers, in summer the canopy offers cool shade on hot days, and in autumn the leaves turn yellow and copper. Clearings give room for games and picnics, and on the upper edge there are views over the Arve valley and across the border toward the long ridge of the Salève in France.

The best-known feature for families is the animal park, the Parc aux animaux du Bois-de-la-Bâtie. It keeps species associated with the mountains and the countryside, including animals that have a conservation story, and it is built into the slope so that enclosures follow the contours of the hill. It is open daily during daylight hours, and the park keeps to a modest scale that suits young children. Alongside it lies a large playground, which is considered the biggest in the city and offers climbing frames, slides and open space for running.

Two cafés-restaurants in the grounds provide food and drink, and there is space to sit outside when the weather allows. The park is reached from the city centre by bus or on foot, and the walk from the Jonction takes only a few minutes.

Geneva residents value the Bois de la Bâtie as a place where the city meets forest and farmland. It is best visited on a fine day with a picnic, a pair of comfortable shoes and enough time to explore without hurrying.