Geneva: Once the City of Roses?

By Motahareh Mohebi

Like the Netherlands, which is known for its tulips, there was a time when Geneva was known not just for its international organizations and wealth hubs, but also for its roses.

In 1936, the city authorities undertook a major beautification project along Quai Gustave-Ador, near the Jet d’Eau, and planted over 13,000 rose bushes along the promenade.

It coincided with broader urban beautification trends in Europe, which often emphasized nature and floral displays in public life. The planting also served a symbolic function — roses could be a perfect sign of elegance and cosmopolitanism, aligning with Geneva’s image as a diplomatic hub and a city of peace.Right after World War II, Armand Auberson designed a spectacular landscape on the southern shore of Lake Geneva to exhibit 200 varieties of roses. That’s Parc La Grange, the biggest public park in Geneva.

Since 1947, the garden has hosted the Concours international de roses nouvelles de Genève — the Geneva International Competition for New Roses. This prestigious annual competition brought together different species of roses from all over the world and continued until 2015. It contributed to the recognition of Geneva as one of the major sites of rose cultivation in the world. During this period, Geneva was also one of the most important exporters of roses to many countries.

However, after 2015 and decades of continuous use, the soil was no longer suitable for planting roses. In 2020, the city adopted a sustainable and organic restoration strategy to revive the land, and 200 species of roses were replanted.

The rose garden is still there — so if you happen to visit Eaux-Vives, treat yourself to a pleasant walk scented with roses!

For more information you can visit: https://www.geneve.ch/jardin-roses-parc-grange