Water Jet

Impossible to miss during your visit to Geneva—at 140 meters high, the Water Jet is visible from just about everywhere!

This iconic fountain has become a symbol of the city, though it wasn’t originally designed as a tourist attraction. It all started in 1886, after the construction of a hydraulic power plant on the Rhône River, built to support Geneva’s rapid industrial growth. However, workers soon discovered a major flaw: every evening, once the machines were turned off, excess pressure would build up, forcing operators to manually shut down the pumps.

To solve the issue, a safety valve was installed to release the pressure—creating a 30-meter-high jet of water that shot into the air. Quite a bit smaller than today’s version! Then in 1891, the city of Geneva had the brilliant idea to transform this functional jet into a show.

They relocated it to Lake Geneva, right in the center of the harbor, and gradually increased its height to reach the impressive 140 meters we see today. The result? A stunning display of power, beauty, elegance, and above all, modernity—perfectly capturing the spirit of what is often called the smallest of the great capitals.

Don’t hesitate to walk the short distance over and experience this breathtaking fountain up close!