The Geneva-America Connection

Follow more than 400 years of shared history between Geneva and the United States on this fascinating 2-hour walking tour through the heart of the city. From the ideals of the Reformation and the influence of the Geneva Bible carried aboard the Mayflower in 1620, to Genevan-born statesman Albert Gallatin helping shape the early United States, this tour uncovers the remarkable people, ideas, and stories that have linked Geneva with the Americas. Along the way, discover the influence of Jean-Jacques Rousseau on American democracy, the diplomacy of Charles Francis Adams Sr. during the Alabama Arbitration in Geneva, visits by figures such as Mark Twain and Bill Clinton, and the lasting international legacy of Woodrow Wilson and the League of Nations. From politics and literature to religion, diplomacy, and tourism, this tour reveals the surprising and enduring Geneva–America connection.

Tour Highlights

• The International Monument to the Reformation (Reformation Wall)
• Geneva City Hall (Hotel de Ville)
• Saint Peter’s Cathedral
• Calvin’s Auditory where the Geneva Bible was translated into English
• Other sites within the Old Town and Central Geneva linked to America
• Geneva lakefront

What to Expect

The tour involves walking some steep cobblestone streets and stairways through Geneva’s Old Town, visiting mostly outdoor sites.