Looking for Fall Activities in Geneva? Le Colibry Has You Covered

It’s fall in Geneva, but it feels more like an Indian summer. The days are getting shorter and there’s a chill in the air, but the sun is still gracing us with its presence. Discover the beauty of autumn in Geneva with these events and activities that are open to all. Le Colibry’s mix of indoor and outdoor fall activities in Geneva are sure to keep you busy while you wait for ski season!

Discover the Hidden Treasures of Geneva’s Art Galleries

ZEP “Titeuf à Carouge” at the Séries Rares Gallery
October 6-27

The Séries Rares gallery is showing a collection of original Titeuf (a Swiss comic book character) drawings. And they’re also for sale! The artist, Zep, has created a special, never-before-seen drawing of Titeuf in Carouge, and signed and numbered prints will be available for purchase.
For collectors: Zep and Séries Rares teamed up for a print run of “Titeuf à Carouge” (250 signed/numbered prints available, 100 CHF apiece). Since all of the originals on display have already found new homes, the gallery will put 30 new original drawings up for sale beginning Saturday, October 20 at 11:00 a.m.
Good to know: Pictures of the prints and their prices will be available on the gallery’s website by the end of the day on October 19.
Getting there: Galerie Séries Rares – 15 Rue Vautier, 1227 Carouge
More information: www.series-rares.ch

Richard Avedon Photography at the Pace Gallery
Until November 2

The gallery is showing a collection of photographs taken between 1946 and 1980, including Avedon’s most famous snapshot, Dovima with Elephants (1955), which features a model wearing a Dior dress designed by Yves Saint Laurent. The exhibition includes portraits of well-known cultural figures such as Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, and Andy Warhol, but also some more intimate glimpses into 1960s America.
Getting there: 15-17 Quai des Bergues, 1201 Geneva.
More information: The exhibit is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. www.pacegallery.com 

Start Training for the Escalade Race (Don’t Forget to Sign Up Before November 7)

Thousands of adults, teens, and children, runners and walkers alike, will flood the streets of Geneva’s Old Town during this meticulously-planned event. Whether or not you plan to walk or run, it’s a fun and uniquely Genevan experience.
Children can generally sign up via their school. The races take place the first weekend in December.
More information: www.escalade.ch

Get a Sparkle in Your Eye at the Sotheby’s Geneva Jewelry Auction

Twice a year, Sotheby’s puts on luxury jewelry and watch auctions that are known for their prestige. In November 2010, a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond sold for $46.1 million, a record-breaking price at the time. Among some of the most famous collections that Sotheby’s Geneva has sold are those of the Duchess of Windsor, the princely family of Thurn und Taxis, Maria Callas, Countess Mona Bismarck, Daisy Fellowes, and Cristina Ford.
Auctions take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Visitors can admire the jewels starting a few days before sales officially begin, and can also attend the auctions.

Next auction: Royal jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family. The auction will span centuries of European history, from the reign of Louis XVI to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and will offer fascinating insights into the splendor of one of Europe’s most important royal dynasties.The incredibly opulent collection even features pieces that belonged to Marie-Antoinette and have not been seen publicly in over two centuries.
Jewelry exhibition: November 10-13 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and November 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 1 Quai Turrettini, 1201 Geneva.
More information: www.sothebys.com

Channel Your Inner Child at the LEGO Exhibition “The Art of the Brick”
October 4, 2018 to January 6, 2019 – Palexpo

This exhibition’s monumental sculptures provide a glimpse into the imagination of American artist Nathan Sawaya, famous for his masterful Lego creations. About 100 of his pieces are on display, for a total of over one million bricks.
Tickets and information: www.palexpo.ch 

Drop Your Anchor at the Geneva Boat Show (Salon Nautique du Léman)
November 2-4 – Palexpo

The show will feature the newly restored Fleur Bleue sailboat, which has won more races than any other boat on Lake Geneva. Also, don’t miss the five boats making their worldwide debut at this year’s salon, plus over 50 other aquatic  fall activities in Geneva, including an introduction to pool scuba diving.
Calling all athletes: The show is also organizing a stand-up paddleboarding race, the Geneva Lake Race, on Sunday, November 4 at 10:30 a.m. Participants can choose either the 3-kilometer or the 10-kilometer circuit.

More information: www.salon-nautique.ch

Freshen Up Your Home Decor with Vintage Finds from the Salon du Design
November 3-4 at the Pavillon Sicli

Thirty-odd carefully selected dealers from around Switzerland and Europe will take over the Pavillon Sicli for this year’s Design Fair, filling over 14,000 square feet with their furniture, 20th-century lamps, and vintage designer items… this is no mere flea market. Find original creations by the biggest names in modern and postmodern design, from icons of the 1930s to 1980s vintage steals.
More information: www.lesalondudesign.ch

Get Your Tickets in Advance for the Fête des Vignerons Winegrowers’ Festival in Vevey
July 18 – August 11, 2019

Any Swiss person will tell you, this is the event to be at next summer.
Why should you be sure not to miss it? It’s an event unlike any other, but most importantly, it only comes around once every quarter of a century! The Confrérie des Vignerons de Vevey (Vevey Brotherhood of Winegrowers) has been organizing the festival since the 18th century, and it was named to UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.  It recognizes the winegrowers’ savoir-faire and the vineyards in the Lavaux and Chablais regions in the canton of Vaud.
Shows are held day and night in an enormous arena from July 18 to August 11. It’s also the perfect opportunity to discover the town of Vevey, which hosts cultural, artistic, and culinary events throughout the festival.

More information: www.fetedesvignerons.ch
Tickets: starticket.ch, or by phone 0900 325 325
Expect to spend: Between 79 (category 5) and 299 francs (category 1)

Take In the Crisp Fall Evening Air at the Wright Foundation’s Spectacular Light and Sound Show
October 29 to November 21

A must see, especially if you missed it last year. The Wright Foundation is bringing its light and sound show back to one of the University of Geneva’s oldest buildings the third year in a row.
This year’s theme is “Gravity: The Universal Force.” This enchanting light show is a great way to brighten up your gray November nights.
More information: All ages; free admission.
Three shows per evening (6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 p.m.) from October 29 to November 21 – The show is projected onto the facade of Uni Bastions, park side. www.hdwright.org. You can also watch last year’s video on their website.

Cultivate Your Child’s Green Thumb at the Botanical Garden’s “Green Workshops”

Le Colibry has ideas of fall activities in Geneva for all ages. Workshop themes include gardening, greenhouses, and bees. There are two age groups: 6- to 9-year-olds and 10- to 13-year-olds. Workshops take place from 2:00-4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Registration is required and each workshop costs 15 francs. Don’t wait to sign up; some spring 2019 workshops are already full!
More information and signups: www.cjb.ch 

Warm Up in One of Geneva’s Tea Rooms After a Picturesque Walk in the Park or by the Lake

La Bonbonnière’s chocolate bar is yet another spot to add to your list of cozy tea rooms and fun fall activities in Geneva. La Bonbonnière is an institution in Geneva for all things chocolate. Founded in 1921, it recently moved into a larger space and now houses a tea room where you can taste their confections along with a beverage of your choice. Their hot chocolate is, obviously, delicious. And you can even take home a powdered version of their secret recipe Grand Cru Maracaibo 65% so you can make a cup of the famous hot cocoa whenever a craving strikes. (Hint: their chocolatiers use a traditional technique that gives their chocolate hints of orange blossom and cinnamon.) Simply delightful!
Getting there: La Bonbonnière – Chocolate Bar, 15 Rue Pierre Fatio, 1204 Geneva. www.labonbonniere.ch

Get Inspired at the TEDxPlacedesNationsWomen Conference – “Empower”
December 6, Palais des Nations

Female business owners, entrepreneurs, doctors, and historians will take the podium to share original research and projects that aim to make the world a better place.
Event schedule: www.tedxplacedesnations.ch, sign up before November 19. 3:30-7:00 p.m. 

What Else?

• Hidden gem: Le Colibry stumbled upon a secret location recently, where she took the featured photo for this article. If you find it, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the city. Head to Quai du Seujet and try to find the secret passage at number 14. Take the glass elevator up to the terrace for bird’s-eye views of the Seujet Dam, the Forces Motrices building, the financial district, and the harbor.
• Take a ferry ride around the lake (on the city’s most glamorous form of public transportation): Read the article
• Test out more of Le Colibry’s favorite team rooms: Read the article