My Tour Guide Journey: Part 12 – “Geneva Guides Association”

After successfully completing the Culture and Tourism program at the University of Geneva and receiving my diploma, I’m delighted to take the next step in my journey: becoming a Geneva professional tour guide! The studying, exams, and field trips are behind me. Now comes the exciting part: sharing Geneva’s fascinating history, architecture, culture, and hidden gems with visitors from around the world.

Geneva Walking Tours in English, French, and Spanish

My goal is to offer private and group tours in English, French, and Spanish, introducing visitors to the city’s historic landmarks, beautiful parks, and lesser-known treasures. As an English mother tongue tour guide, I expect to conduct many of my Geneva guided tours in English, while also welcoming French- and Spanish-speaking visitors, travelers from elsewhere in Switzerland, and Geneva residents looking to discover their city from a fresh perspective.

Joining the Geneva Guides Association

My University of Geneva diploma is more than a personal achievement. It has also opened doors to new professional opportunities, including membership in the Association des Guides de Genève (Geneva Guides Association) and the possibility of becoming a certified guide for the Fondation Genève Tourisme et Congrès (Geneva Tourism and Congress Foundation).

After contacting both organizations to express my interest, I received some exciting news: my application to the Association des Guides de Genève was accepted, along with an invitation to its annual Escalade dinner on December 10! For a newly qualified Geneva professional tour guide, this was a wonderful opportunity to meet experienced guides and celebrate one of Geneva’s most beloved traditions.

An Escalade Dinner in Geneva’s Old Town

The dinner took place at the Brasserie Restaurant Hôtel de Ville, right in the heart of Geneva’s charming Old Town. Over a delicious Swiss meal and local wine, I enjoyed lively conversations and met many of my new colleagues. Before dinner, the association shared news and updates, and I was introduced as a new member. To my great delight, I also received my official Geneva Guides Association badge—a special milestone after all the studying and preparation!

The evening continued with readings of poetry and historical texts about the Escalade of December 11–12, 1602, when the Duke of Savoy’s troops attempted to invade Geneva under cover of darkness. The attack failed, and Geneva defended its independence. Today, the Escalade is celebrated throughout Geneva with historical commemorations, festive events, and traditional treats. For Geneva tour guides, it’s a wonderful opportunity to bring this dramatic chapter of the city’s history to life. And, of course, no Escalade celebration would be complete without chocolate!

The Escalade’s Sweetest Tradition

One of the Escalade’s best-known traditions is the marmite: a chocolate cauldron filled with marzipan vegetables and candies. It commemorates the story of Catherine Cheynel, known as Mère Royaume, who is said to have poured a pot of hot soup over an enemy soldier during the invasion. Tradition dictates that the oldest and youngest people present break the chocolate cauldron together while everyone chants: « Ainsi périssent les ennemis de la République ! »(“Thus perish the enemies of the Republic!”)

Naturally, we followed the tradition at our dinner. The cauldron was ceremoniously broken, the famous words were proclaimed, and everyone enjoyed the chocolate and marzipan treats. History has rarely tasted so good!

New Colleagues, New Friends, and New Adventures

It was a lovely evening filled with good food, fascinating conversations, and celebration. I left with my new association badge and, more importantly, a wonderful group of professional tour-guide colleagues and friends. Joining the Association des Guides de Genève marks another exciting milestone in my journey as a Geneva professional tour guide. I look forward to learning from fellow guides and sharing Geneva’s remarkable stories with visitors from around the world.

My Geneva Guides Association badge

Breaking the marmite, GGA annual Escalade Dinner