Palais Wilson, Geneva
The Palais Wilson on the Lake Geneva waterfront is the current headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Palais Wilson on the Lake Geneva waterfront is the current headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The 5-storey sandstone building designed by architect Jacques Élysée Goss in French Neo-Renaissance style was originally constructed in 1873-'75 as the luxury Hôtel National. It has a central avant-corps surmounted by a roof lantern and balustrade, with 2 symmetrical side-wings topped by mansard roofs.
It was named Palais Wilson in 1924 to honor US President Woodrow Wilson who played an important role in the establishment of the League of Nations, which was headquartered in this building from 1920 to 1936. In 1937, the canton of Geneva bought the building to house federal and cantonal administrations. From 1967 onwards, it was used variously, including a home for University of Geneva's Institute of Educational Sciences where psychologist Jean Piaget taught his new pedagogical theories. It was partially destroyed by fires in 1985 and 1987, and abandoned till 1993 when it was renovated for the Federal Council's Environment House. Since 1998 it has been home to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Situated on the lakefront, it offers great views of the lake with Jet d'Eau, and Mont Blanc in the distance.
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Palais Wilson and Nearby Sights on Map
Musée d'Histoire des Sciences
The Musée d'Histoire des Sciences de la Ville de Genève, housed in the Italianate style Villa Bartholoni, has historical scientific exhibits including microscopes, telescopes, sundials, astrolabes, thermometers, barometers, and ornate globes
Monument Brunswick
The Brunswick Monument in the Jardin des Alpes is the Neo-Gothic style mausoleum of Charles d’Este Guelph, Duke of Brunswick
Horloge Fleurie - Flower Clock
Horloge Fleurie is a flower clock in Jardin Anglais next to the Pont du Mont-Blanc, created in 1955 by the city of Geneva to honor Swiss watchmakers
Île Rousseau
Île Rousseau is a small island with a park in the middle of the Rhone River where it meets Lake Geneva
Jet d'Eau
The Jet d'Eau is one of the Geneva's most iconic landmarks, marking the point where Lake Geneva flows into the Rhône
Basilica Notre-Dame of Geneva
The Basilica Notre-Dame of Geneva is the main Roman Catholic church in Geneva
Place Neuve
Place Neuve is an important square in Geneva, surrounded by the Parc des Bastions, Musée Rath, Grand Theatre and Conservatoire de Musique de Genève
International Museum of the Reformation
The International Museum of the Reformation traces the history of the Reformation in Geneva since the 16th century, and its proliferation to other parts of the world
Musee d'Art et d'Histoire
The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire (Museum of Art and History) is the largest art museum in Geneva, housing a rich collection of over 650,000 works of painting, sculptures, prints, furniture, textiles, musical instruments, historical and archaeological objects which trace the evolution of art, culture and lifestyle over several millennia
St. Pierre Cathedral
The Saint Pierre Cathedral in Geneva is the main Protestant church in the city, best known for its association with Reformation leader John Calvin