What is this place

The Jet d’Eau is Geneva’s emblem on the harbour where the Rhône leaves Lake Geneva. The water plume reaches 140 m and is illuminated at night in season.

Key features

  • Height 140 m, exit speed ~200 km/h, flow ~500 L/s – about 7 tonnes of water in the air at any moment, each drop airborne for ~16 s.
  • Technical milestones: first industrial jet 1886 at Coulouvrenière; moved as a decorative fountain to Eaux-Vives 1891; present pumping station and specs since 1951.
  • LED lighting – 15 projectors in the lighting cabin and 8 on the rotunda; frequent themed colours for awareness days.
  • 2025 schedule: winter 10:00–16:00; spring & autumn Mon–Thu to sunset, Fri–Sun 10:00–22:30; summer 9:00–23:15.
  • The Jetée des Eaux-Vives jetty brings you close to the base – dramatic viewpoint, expect spray in windy weather.

What to see

  • Harbourwide views from the Jetée des Eaux-Vives toward the quays, Old Town and Pont du Mont-Blanc.
  • A counter-view from Bains des Pâquis on the opposite shore.
  • Evening illumination, sometimes colour-themed for events.

History

The first jet appeared in 1886 as a safety release at the Coulouvrenière hydraulic plant – a utilitarian ~30 m plume. In 1891, a decorative fountain was installed at Eaux-Vives in the harbour, reaching ~90 m.

An autonomous pumping station in 1951 switched to lake water and raised the height to 140 m. Since then the Jet d’Eau has been Geneva’s signature sight; with LED lighting it often marks international causes in colour.

Practical information

Location: Jetée des Eaux-Vives, Quai Gustave-Ador, Geneva.

Getting there: buses 2, 6, E, G to Rue du Lac or Vollandes. Mouettes Genevoises shuttle boats (M2/M3) link Pâquis, Eaux-Vives and Genève-Plage.

Access: Free. Narrow stone jetty; surfaces can be slippery with spray; temporary closures possible in rain or wind.

Visiting hours: Weather-dependent. For 2025: winter 10:00–16:00; 03.03–04.05 and 15.09–28.10 Mon–Thu 10:00–sunset, Fri–Sun 10:00–22:30; 05.05–14.09 9:00–23:15; shutdown 29.10–21.11; then 10:00–16:00.

Visit duration: 20–40 minutes for approach and photos; longer with a lakeside stroll or a Mouettes hop.

Best time: Evenings for lighting; calm days for close-up shots from the jetty; breezy days for rainbows at a distance.

Notes: Stops for strong wind or frost. Expect spray near the base; protect cameras and phones.