Visit La Grange Park

The history of the Grange site dates back to the Neolithic period, as evidenced by the recumbent menhirs to the north of the park. The ruins of the villa of Titus Fronto, a Roman official, can also be found in the same area. In the 18th century, the farming estate was renamed La Grange and became the property of the Lullin family, who built the master villa between 1768 and 1773 and laid out a formal garden. The villa, located outside the town, was a popular summer retreat, welcoming prestigious guests.

The Favre family succeeded the Lullins and transformed the house and grounds, adding curved paths, a pond and a rockery. They also built the monumental entrance on the Quai Gustave-Ador side, with its lions, a pergola and an orangery. La Grange estate acquired its historic status thanks to the closing gala of the 1864 Geneva Convention presided over by Henry Dunant, considered to be the birth of humanitarian law.

In 1917, the owner of the estate, William Favre, bequeathed it to the City of Geneva, stipulating in his will that the grounds should be used for public purposes and that the Villa should be reserved exclusively for receptions by the City's Administrative Council and for prestigious guests. Since then, the Villa La Grange has played host to many distinguished guests. In 1969, Pope Paul VI celebrated mass in front of a crowd of 70,000 people in the Parc La Grange, which was then the only space large enough in Geneva to accommodate such a crowd. On 16 June 2021, the park welcomed US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The entire park is renowned for the diversity of its plants. Its century-old trees, including cedars over 200 years old, remind visitors that the site is steeped in history.

The area around the villa is the most beautiful part of the park. Here you'll find the enchanting Alpine lake and a collection of rhododendrons whose bright flowers add colour to the landscape. Magnificent flower arrangements surround the mansion.

And don't miss a visit to the south of the park, where you'll find the Rose Garden. With its 400 rose bushes and 4,000 perennial plants, it's a superb spot in the summer! It also features fountains, pools and flower walls.

If you come in summer, as well as the thousands of flowers, you'll be able to enjoy a wide range of events, including :

• Music in Summer: an annual festival featuring artists from all over the world on stage during July and August.
• Next door to the villa, the Théâtre de l'Orangerie offers plays and workshops, as well as music, visual arts and a special programme for young audiences. Find out all about it on their Facebook page.
• There are special places for barbecues and BBQs: with friends are particularly popular. A word of advice: come early!