Parc de l'Ariana

History and development

L’Ariana owes its name to Gustave Revilliod, who built a museum in 1877 in the Italian Renaissance style, unique in Geneva, which he christened “Ariana” in homage to his mother, Ariane de la Rive. The Musée Ariana initially housed the encyclopaedic collections of Gustave Revilliod, who was, among other things, an explorer. The park was part of the huge Varembé estate, stretching from Route de Pregny through vineyards and areas of woodland down to the lake. On his death in 1890, Revilliod bequeathed the estate to the City of Geneva. The estate began to be broken up at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1929, the City gave the majority of the park to the newly-created League of Nations (LoN), which in turn offered the City Parc Moynier and Parc Bartholoni (La Perle du Lac). This agreement allowed the League of Nations to build the Palais des Nations while the City had acquired a continuous stretch of magnificent parkland on the lake shore. In 1933, the Musée Ariana became the Swiss Museum of Ceramics and Glass.

The park boasts a wide variety of trees: in the lower reaches, close to the replica of the Honsen-ji Japanese bell, 20 cherry blossoms planted in 2014 form a group which is unique in Geneva, offering a spectacular display when in bloom during the spring. A little higher up, the path leads to a number of hundred-year-old cedar trees with impressive branches while a breathtakingly beautiful oak tree towers above the surrounding meadow. A lane of magnolia grandiflora runs from Avenue de la Paix to the museum.

Amenities

The closest public toilets are on Place des Nations.

Dogs are allowed on the paths through the park if kept on a leash.

Ecological management

The City’s parks and gardens are managed ecologically without any chemical products being used. Biodiversity is promoted in Parc de l’Ariana, in particular through extensive meadows and native shrubs.