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activité geneve septembre blog

50 Things to Do in Geneva When the Summer Holidays Are Over

Don’t get too down about the fact that the days of lazing on the beach are nearly over (at least for this year) – there are tons of cultural, festive, active, and delicious things to do in Geneva in September, too. Between the classic events you won’t want to miss; the activities you can do to stretch out the remaining summer days; the places you visit time and time again; and all of the new ones that have popped up since you last blinked, there’s no way you’ll be bored this back-to-school and -work period. Follow Le Colibry, we’ll show you the way!

What is there to do in Geneva this September?

1. Eat up at the Street Food Festival: it’s taking over the Jardin Anglais again this fall, August 29-30-31 and September 1. Featuring: happy hour, opening night with the best local DJs, food trucks, craft breweries, artisanal wineries, and more. www.gvastreetfoodfest.ch

2. Enjoy a day out at the movies, sponsored by Allianz: catch a flick on September 1st. Tickets are just 5 Swiss francs apiece. www.allianz-journeeducinema.ch 

3 – 6. Be one of the first in the door at the Grand-Theâtre de Genève open house – September 7 and 8, 2019. 
Get a sneak peek of Einstein on the Beach at a dress rehearsal. The play was coproduced by Compagnia Finzi Pasca, a theatre company that also contributed to the main show at the 2019 Fête des Vignerons festival. It’s free and open to the public, but spots are limited.
Attend a film screening of Koyaanisqatsi (score by Philip Glass).
Dance your way around the theatre at the first Late Night, starting at 10:00 p.m., featuring DJs, dance floors and all genres of music.
Visit the newly renovated spaces and attend workshops on the different aspects of theatre.
More info: www.gtg.ch

7. Brunch in Parc de la Grange at the Theâtre de l’Orangerie restaurant, which serves up healthy dishes by Ou Bien Encore every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. www.oubienencore.ch 

8. Clap until your hands are sore at the La Bâtie festival, from August 29 – September 15
Le Colibry’s picks: Minuit, a dance-circus hybrid show directed by Yohan Bourgeois at the Forum Theâtre in Meyrin, and Einstein on the Beach, an opera written by Philip Glass and directed by theatrical producer Bob Wilson at the Grand-Theâtre. www.batie.ch

9. Hold your pose at the Geneva Yoga Festival, September 13-15
The Geneva Yoga Festival (GYF) is getting a makeover for its 10th edition… This time, it’s going green and won’t have a set entry fee (instead, pay what you think is fair).
The festival will be held in Les Vergers, a green neighborhood in the Meyrin municipality that looks out onto the Jura Mountains. www.genevayogafestival.com

10. Savor the best cuisine Geneva has to offer during the “Semaine du Goût” (Swiss Taste Week), from September 12 to 22: it’s the perfect opportunity to try out a few new restaurants and get to know high-quality, local, and seasonal cuisine. Schedule: www.gout.ch

11. Sip the latest trendy cocktail during Geneva Cocktail Week, from September 23 to 29. www.genevacocktailweek.com

12. Make new friends at the next “Apéro After Work” happy hour.
More info: Facebook event

13. Get creative at Nuit des Bains on Thursday, September 12 starting at 6:00 p.m. www.quartierdesbains.ch

14. Travel back in time at Geneva’s Art and History Museum on an immersive visit to 1850s Geneva. A virtual reality experience that is both gripping and educational! www.ville-geneve.ch. Learn more: Le Colibry tried it.

15. Challenge yourself at the SWISS SUP (stand-up paddle boarding) championship at Tropical Corner on September 14.
More info: Facebook event

16. Learn something new during European Heritage Days, September 14 and 15.
You’re invited to discover (or rediscover) Geneva’s cultural heritage in a new light – or a new “Couleur,” this year’s theme. Le Colibry’s picks:

  • St. Pierre at night, go on a flashlight tour of the cathedral,
  • The Church and the Colors of the Reformation, lecture by Michel Pastoureau, expert in color symbology,
  • RTS (Radio Télévision Suisse) archives,
  • La Couleur at Le Corbusier, lecture and workshop,
  • intro to graffiti and other kids’ workshops at the Ariana Museum,
  • experiments and optical illusions at the History of Science Museum,
  • the SEVE greenhouses, where 250,000 plants destined for the colorful flower clock and park flowerbeds are grown.

Schedule and reservations: www.journeesdupatrimoine.ch, tours are free but you have to reserve your spot ahead of time.

17. Stay zen and take a yoga class in the park. There are several locations to choose from: yoga at Parc Beaulieu and Perle du Lac, or yoga at Parc La Grange. More info: yogasurherbe, yogaparc

18. Play Einstein for a day at the CERN open house, September 14-15
Registration is mandatory but free if you want to visit CERN’s facilites. Get a look at the LHC, the largest particle accelerator in the world, housed in a 17-mile long tunnel 500 feet underground beneath the France-Switzerland border. www.opendays.cern.fr

19. Marvel at the Knie Circus until September 12, 2019. Cirque Knie is celebrating 100 years of family fun! For this special occasion, the Knie family will present their world-renowned acts: horse acts, parrot flights, plus satire and amazing acrobatic feats. www.knie.ch

20. Snack on a croque-monsieur from Café Max in Eaux-Vives. Le Colibry couldn’t be happier about this new addition to the neighborhood, since it’s the closest thing you’ll find to a Parisian brasserie in Geneva. Featuring true bistro-style chairs and little round tables, and Parisian classics on the menu.
Getting there: 38 rue du 31 Décembre, 1207 Geneva. More info: max-geneve.ch

21. Experience a range of emotions at the photography biennial NO’PHOTO from September 21 to October 5, Screenings, expositions, workshops, round tables… free documentary photography event. Night event on Saturday, September 28. Schedule: nophoto.ch

22. Start training for your next 20K, November 3.
Registration is already open for a year-end fitness challenge. Choose from 2 distances and 6 race formats: a 20K (on your own or as part of a 2- or 3-person relay), or a 10K run, walk, or Nordic walk. www.20kmgeneveaeroport.ch

23. Cheer on your favorite tennis stars at the Laver Cup, which is being held in Geneva this year from September 20 to 22. The Laver Cup tournament pits six of the best European players against six of the top players from the rest of the world. www.palexpo.ch 

24. Book swim lessons for your kids 
29°C (84°F) water that is dedicated to lessons, separate changing rooms, and a glass waiting area (so you can see just how much progress your little swimmers are making) make for a nice alternative to the public pools that are always jam-packed on Saturday mornings.
For more info or to book a lesson: myelementstudio.com, EPI La Combe, 63 Route d’Hermance, 1245 Collonge-Bellerive. Lessons available for children 18 months and older.

25. Take a walk under the full moon: climb up into the St. Pierre Cathedral towers and admire Geneva by Night (four events only, so don’t miss it).
St. Pierre Cathedral will be open and tours will be offered on September 12, 2019 from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. cathedraledegeneve.ch

26. Lounge around at Lazy Cat coffee&shop in the Eaux-Vives neighborhood. A cozy new spot to enjoy a coffee, house tea, or homemade breakfast and lunch special made with fresh and local ingredients. How to get there: 30 Rue Maunoir, 1207 Geneva.

27. Take the stress out of planning your child’s next birthday party
Book a pirate party at Bains des Pâquis with Sardine Hook, the infamous Captain Hook’s great-great-granddaughter… including magical treasure hunts for kids ages 4-12 and other age-appropriate party activities. More info: baindespaquis.ch

28 – 30. Treat your family to a museum day: 3 family-friendly exhibits you won’t want to miss

  • Explore the magical universe of fairytales at the Ethnography Museum: fairytales come to life in this truly magical atmosphere. They are “played out” in museum artifacts and highlighted further by the illustrations of modern-day artists. More info: “Il était une fois… (Once upon a time…) La Fabrique des Contes” is on display at the Geneva Ethnography Museum until January 5, 2020. Schedule of events at www.meg-geneve.ch
  • Uncover the secrets of the plant world at Geneva’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: a fun and educational exhibition where visitors decrypt symbols and decode the messages that plants are sending us. Tours and other events offered from May to October.
    More info: “Symboles & Sentiments, Secrets du Monde Végétal” is at the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens until October 13, full schedule at www.cjb-geneve.ch 
  • Immerse yourself in the fascinating lives of predators and learn their strategies at the Natural History Museum: predator-prey relationships in the animal kingdom are some of the most important evolutionary tactics. Depending on what side you’re on, you must catch, protect yourself, or get away just in time. Life is a game of “catch me if you can,” but bigger isn’t always better and the predators don’t always win. Actually, their lives are more difficult and dangerous than you might think…
    More info: “Prédations” is on display at the Museum of Natural History until January 19, 2020. www.ville-geneve.ch

31. Try not to forget that all of Geneva’s museums are free to visit on the first Sunday of every month.

32. Take to the skies with the Geneva paragliding school: take off from the tip of Mont Salève and soar through the sky safely, strapped to an experienced pilot. A 20- to 25-minute flight is the perfect way to explore the region from a new angle. If you’re brave enough, you can even try some stunt maneuvers. More info: www.paradelta.ch

33. Rebalance your doshas during an Ayurveda consultation with Dr. Naveen Gupta
If you’ve always wondered what your predominant dosha is (Vata, Pitta or Kapha) and are interested in learning how to balances your energies, a consultation with Dr. Naveen Gupta is a wonderful place to find out. He explains the basics of Ayurveda and performs detailed pulse diagnoses. You won’t leave his office with a prescription for medication; instead, he’ll impart his wisdom and send you home with exercises to try based on your results and easy-to-follow personalized nutrition advice. You’ll be amazed at what a few small changes in your routine can do for you. More info: Tmed Traditional Medicine and Holistic Health Center, 5 Rue du Docteur Alfred Vincent, 1201 Geneva. www.tmed.ch

34. Stroll through the 57th Russin grape harvest festival on September 14: concerts, a market for local goods, tasting classes. www.fetedesvendangesderussin.ch

35. (Re)decorate your living space with a little help from Swedish architect and interior decorator Clasine Nordquist. Her bright and inspiring showroom will give you plenty of ideas, and the architect herself is kind and attentive. More info: 11 Rue des Vollandes, 1207 Geneva. www.clasine.com

36. See the streets of Geneva differently with the feminist organization L’Escouade
The organization is collaborating with the city of Geneva to offer several guided tours of different areas of town. Each tour makes stops at ten different temporary street signs bearing the names of women who played an instrumental in Geneva’s history and who have been dead for at least ten years. The tours are part of the 100Elles project, whose goal is to put the spotlight on women in Geneva’s past, present, and future. More info: www.100elles.ch. Tours are free of charge.

37. Get your concert tickets to go see Vanessa Paradis, Zazie and Catherine Ringer in Thonex. More info: www.thonexlive.ch

38. Crack up at Jamel Debbouze’s new stand-up show at Arena Genève, on October 5. www.livemusic.ch

39. Wander through KOZA, a new stationery, home decor, and accessory boutique in town. A nice place to start if you need inspiration for a unique gift. 7 rue du Nant, 1207 Geneva. www.kozadesign.ch

40. Meet Isabelle Autissier at the Société de Lecture: not only was she the first woman to complete a solo sailing trip around the world, but she has also written multiple books and serves as President of WWF-France. Her talk is sure to be fascinating! More info: author talk on October 2. www.societe-de-lecture.ch

41. Go on a nostalgia trip and bring back all of the emotions you felt in 2012 when you heard the sad, California crooning in Video Games for the first time… then tune into the sweet melodies of Lana Del Rey’s newest album. Listen to it on Deezer.
Le Colibry’s favorite song: Doin’ Time

42 – 49. Last but not least, MAKE SUMMER LAST AS LONG AS POSSIBLE 

50. Stay up-to-date with Le Colibry. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook or click below to subscribe to my newsletter.

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Wishing you a smooth transition back into work or school and a lovely fall! – Le Colibry

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