Parc La Grange (The Grange Park)

Parc La Grange is one of the largest and most graceful parks in Geneva, laid out on a gentle slope on the left bank of Lake Geneva, in the Eaux-Vives area, next to the Parc des Eaux-Vives and the lake shore. It is a short tram or bus ride, or a pleasant walk along the lake, from the old town and the Jet d’Eau. The park is open to the public and has no entrance fee, and it is a favourite place for locals to walk, jog and picnic.

The core of the park is the Villa La Grange, an elegant 18th-century country house at the top of the lawns. The estate was bequeathed to the city in the early 20th century by the Favre family, and the park opened to the public soon afterwards. The villa is mainly used for official receptions and events, so you usually see it from outside, but the garden terraces below it give a good frame for photographs, with long views down to the lake and, in clear weather, to the Alps beyond.

Parc La Grange is best known for its rose garden, the Roseraie, which holds well over 200 varieties and thousands of rose bushes. The garden was created in the 20th century and is associated with the international competition for new roses held in Geneva, in which breeders from several countries present new varieties each year. The beds are at their best in June, when the whole area is in flower and scented, but roses continue to bloom through summer and into autumn. Beyond the roses there are old trees, including cedars, quiet lawns, and a few sculptures placed along the paths.

The park also contains an orangery, a small open-air theatre and a children’s playground, and it hosts events during the year. The neighbouring Parc des Eaux-Vives and its lakeside lawns extend the green space, and the nearby lake baths, harbour and promenade make the area a good place to end a day in Geneva. The Jardin Anglais and the Jet d’Eau are within walking distance for visitors who want to link several sights.

The park suits families, couples, garden lovers and photographers. It is quietest on weekday mornings, and the scent and colours in June are the best argument for timing a visit. Allow an hour for a stroll through the roses and lawns, and longer if you want to picnic or continue to the lake shore.