The Broken Chair is one of Geneva's most recognisable monuments, a massive sculpture of a giant wooden chair with one leg broken off. The sculpture was created by Swiss artist Daniel Berset and erected in 1997 at the behest of the NGO Handicap International. It serves as a symbol of protest against landmines and cluster bombs and is supposed to represent the civilians who are maimed or killed by these weapons. The broken leg symbolises the devastating injuries caused by landmines, cluster bombs and other such weapons that persist long after conflicts end.
The Broken Chair was part of the campaign to encourage countries to sign the Ottawa Treaty in 1997. Also known as the Mine Ban Treaty, it prohibited the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. The sculpture remains in place as an ongoing reminder to diplomats and international officials passing by of the human cost of these weapons and the need for their elimination. Its placement directly in front of the UN headquarters is very deliberate, sitting exactly where world leaders and diplomats must see it, thus serving as a constant call to action on disarmament and civilian protection.
Geneva offers a tantalising mix of urban sophistication, natural beauty, and international flair. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, food, or global affairs, this exquisite Swiss city has something for everyone. Our private full-day tour is a great way to make the most of your time in Geneva, taking you from the Old Town to the International Quarter and hearing the stories that define the city from a passionate local guide.
On this full-day private tour, you will:
Spend a day discovering the very best of Geneva with a private local guide who brings the city’s rich history, culture, and global significance to life. This full-day tour combines the charm of the Old Town, the indulgence of Swiss chocolate, and the powerful stories of Geneva’s world-renowned international district.
Your day begins in the Jardin Anglais, where the elegant Flower Clock and sweeping views of Lake Geneva set the tone for a city shaped by pristine nature, centuries-old traditions and a broad-minded international outlook. From the lakeside promenade, your guide leads you on a leisurely walk into the historic heart of Geneva, sharing the city’s evolution from a Roman settlement to a cosmopolitan hub known for its ideas, culture, and humanitarian values. As you explore the medieval streets of the Old Town, you’ll visit landmarks such as St. Pierre’s Cathedral, where the Reformation reshaped the faith and identity of the region, and the Hôtel de Ville (town hall), where groundbreaking diplomatic achievements helped define Geneva’s global role.
Along the way, you’ll visit a chocolatier to learn the secrets behind Switzerland’s most iconic sweet while you savour some exquisite Swiss chocolate. The tour will also include a pause for lunch (at your own expense), where your guide can recommend an authentic local restaurant to sample more of Geneva’s rich and diverse cuisine.
After your break, you'll join your guide on a scenic tram ride to the city’s renowned international district. This dynamic area reveals a different side of Geneva, modern, forward-looking, and deeply connected to world affairs. As you arrive, you’ll encounter the famous Broken Chair sculpture, a striking symbol of humanitarian advocacy, before continuing past the sweeping grounds of the Palais des Nations, home to the European headquarters of the United Nations. Here, your guide will explain how Geneva became a centre for global diplomacy and introduce you to the many international organisations that shape discussions on peace, human rights, science, health, and many more important issues facing the world today.
Your journey will conclude at the entrance to the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Following an introduction from your guide, who will reveal how this remarkable organisation was founded right here in Geneva. You’ll receive your entry tickets and explore the museum at your own pace. Its thoughtful interactive exhibits trace the origins of the Red Cross and highlight the extraordinary humanitarian work carried out around the world.
By the end of this full-day experience, you’ll leave with a deep appreciation for Geneva’s unique personality: a city where ancient streets meet modern institutions, where ideas have shaped nations, and where tradition and global engagement coexist in a setting of exceptional beauty. This is the ultimate way to understand Geneva at your own pace with a wealth of insights shared by your local guide.
Geneva is known worldwide as a global centre for diplomacy and international cooperation. The city hosts the European headquarters of the United Nations and hundreds of international organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the International Red Cross, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and CERN (the particle physics laboratory). These international influences have shaped the city’s development for centuries, not to mention its cosmopolitan atmosphere. Our 3-hour private tour delves into Geneva’s long history of humanitarianism, unravels the complex workings of organisations like the UN and the Red Cross and brings their stories to life via the most important buildings and monuments from the banks of Lake Geneva to the bustling international district.
On your 3-hour private tour, you will:
For visitors who want to go beyond the postcard image of Geneva and uncover its true identity as one of the world’s most influential diplomatic and humanitarian capitals, this private three-hour tour offers a powerful and immersive introduction. Led by a guide with deep knowledge of Geneva’s history and the inner workings of its international institutions, the experience traces the city’s evolution from a refuge of Reformation-era thinkers to a modern headquarters of global cooperation.
Your journey begins at the Palais Wilson, the original seat of the League of Nations. Standing before this elegant lakeside building, you’ll explore how the ashes of World War I gave rise to the world’s first attempt at collective security, and how Geneva became the natural home for such a daring international experiment. From here, the tour follows a scenic route along the waterfront into the tranquil Perle-du-Lac park. The path leads past the grandiose Villa Moynier, once the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross and now home to the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. As your guide connects these sites to the 19th-century origins of humanitarian law and the adoption of the Geneva Conventions, you’ll gain a clear sense of why Geneva remains synonymous with neutrality, diplomacy, and the protection of human dignity.
As you continue toward the International District, the city’s modern identity comes into focus. Along the way, your guide highlights key institutions such as Campus Biotech and the contemporary Maison de la Paix, whose sleek architecture reflects Geneva’s ongoing commitment to research, cooperation, and global problem-solving. Approaching the iconic Place des Nations, the conversation shifts to the United Nations and the multitude of agencies clustered around the square. Here you’ll encounter the Nelson Mandela Monument and the distinctive Broken Chair, whose symbolic power resonates deeply once you understand its connection to humanitarian advocacy and the campaign against landmines. Nearby, your guide can point out the headquarters of UNHCR, WIPO, the ITU, and other specialised agencies that shape everything from refugee protection to intellectual property to global communications.
A short walk brings you into Ariana Park, leading to the imposing Palais des Nations. As you take in the grandeur of the UN’s European headquarters, your guide provides an insider’s look at how diplomacy actually unfolds behind these walls, revealing the daily work, negotiations, and conferences that influence international policy and humanitarian action. The tour concludes at the International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, where your guide introduces the extraordinary story of the organisation’s founding and its unique place in Geneva’s identity. With your admission included, you are then free to explore the museum’s compelling exhibitions at your own pace, deepening your understanding of the challenges and achievements that continue to shape humanitarian work worldwide.
By the end of this experience, you will have gained an understanding of why Geneva stands at the crossroads of peace, diplomacy, and humanity, and how this small lakeside city continues to influence global affairs every day.
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