Europa Nostra members undertake enriching visits to (award-winning) cultural heritage sites in Geneva and Jussy
As part of the Europa Nostra Council Meetings held in Geneva from 8 to 10 October 2026, Europa Nostra members undertook enriching visits to cultural heritage sites in Geneva, four of which received Europa Nostra Awards, namely the Société de Lecture, the Archaeological Site of Saint Pierre Cathedral, a Belle Époque Steamer and the Patek Philippe Museum, host of Philippe Stern’s Collection of Timekeepers.
Together, these visits offered a vivid illustration of the diversity of heritage recognised by the Europa Nostra Awards, spanning four award-winning initiatives across three categories between 2008 and 2020. The visits also demonstrated how the impact of the Awards extends far beyond the moment of recognition, continuing to inspire, engage and enrich Geneva’s cultural landscape today. They also highlighted the lasting sense of pride that receiving a Europa Nostra Award brings to the winning organisations and the people behind them, recognising their dedication and achievements while strengthening their commitment to safeguarding Europe’s shared cultural heritage.
Europa Nostra members also visited, upon invitation of the City of Geneva, the Archaeological Site Saint Antoine, recently opened to the public; upon invitation of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the Hôtel de Ville, historic seat of the political authorities of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, including its emblematic rooms of Alabama and Conseil d’Etat; and the Palais Anna et Jean-Gabriel Eynard.
A highlight was the visit of the magnificent Gardens of La Gara which are part of an 18th century country estate in Jussy owned by Rémy Best and restored by the Swiss architect Verena Best-Mast, both of whom welcomed and hosted the Europa Nostra delegation. The gardens and surrounding grounds were reinterpreted by the renowned Belgian landscape designer Erik Dhont and completed by a palindrome-like labyrinth designed by the Swiss artist Markus Raetz.
Award-winning initiatives shaping Geneva’s heritage landscape
Société de Lecture
The programme began on 8 October with a guided visit of the Société de Lecture, which also hosted the first part of the Council Meeting and an exchange with Swiss Members and Partners of Europa Nostra. Set in a fine example of 18th-century Genevan architecture in the city’s historical centre, the Société was created in 1818 by Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle together with a group of Geneva scholars. Over two centuries, it has grown into an active cultural centre with a library of over 400,000 volumes and between 50 and 70 events a year. The building is maintained by the Fondation Société de Lecture, which oversees its conservation and restoration.
The Société de Lecture won the Europa Nostra Award 2020 in the category Heritage Champions. Maxime Canals, librarian and curator of the Société de Lecture’s collections, led a special guided tour of the building, offering participants the opportunity to discover some of its rarest and most remarkable books.
Archaeological Site of Saint Pierre Cathedral
On 9 October, upon invitation of la Fondation des Clefs de St-Pierre, the participants visited the Archaeological Site of Saint Pierre Cathedral, winner of the Europa Nostra Award 2008 in the category Conservation and Adaptive Reuse. Research and excavation works carried out beneath the cathedral and surrounding streets between 1976 and 2006 uncovered the remains of more than 2000 years of urban development in Geneva’s historic centre. Opened to the public in 2006, the site has been sensitively adapted for visitors and presented using a variety of media.
The Europa Nostra members were guided through the fascinating remains and introduced to the archaeological discoveries that reveal the successive layers of Geneva’s history, from pre-Christian settlements and early Christian places of worship to the churches that preceded the present cathedral. The visit offered a remarkable insight into the city’s rich past and the importance of preserving and presenting this exceptional underground heritage.
Belle Époque Steamers on Lake Geneva
On 10 October, the participants were welcomed on board a Belle Époque steamer on Lake Geneva, winner of the Europa Nostra Award 2014 in the category Conservation and Adaptive Reuse, upon the kind invitation of Charles Pictet. The Award recognised the restoration of the Compagnie Générale de Navigation’s fleet of eight paddle steamers, built between 1904 and 1927. Several still run on their original steam engines, thanks to an ongoing restoration programme supported by l’Association des amis des bateaux à vapeur du Léman (ABVL), founded in 2002.
The delegation enjoyed a short cruise aboard the boat Rhône, in the presence of the Honorary President of the ABVL, Maurice Decoppet. This special experience offered participants a unique opportunity to appreciate the steamer’s historic character and the craftsmanship involved in preserving these remarkable boats, which remain an important part of Lake Geneva’s maritime heritage.
Patek Philippe Museum
The programme concluded with a guided visit of the Patek Philippe Museum, host of Philippe Stern’s Collection of Timekeepers, winner of the Europa Nostra Award 2017 in the category Research. Philippe Stern collected European timekeepers for over 40 years, and in 2001 opened the museum in Geneva to share the collection with the public. It comprises around 1200 pieces, mostly Swiss but also from France, England, Austria and the Netherlands, among others.
Each acquisition was followed by detailed research, which led to a catalogue compiled by Dr Peter Friess, Director and Curator of the museum. Dr Peter Friess gave the Europa Nostra delegation a fascinating two-hour guided tour, highlighting some of the collection’s most important and remarkable pieces and sharing intriguing stories behind several recent acquisitions. His insights offered participants a deeper understanding of the historical significance of the timekeepers and the research, expertise and passion that underpin the collection.
