In this lively, working-class district, locals share the extensive offer of services, cultural venues, leisure facilities and relaxation activities with a much wider public.
Plainpalais Jonction is one of the eight major districts of the City of Geneva. Bordered by the rivers Arve and Rhone, it is connected to the Bâtie Acacias district by the Hans-Wilsdorf Bridge. It is separated from the district of Eaux-Vives Cité by Boulevard Georges-Favon and further on by Boulevard des Philosophes, while Boulevard de la Cluse marks the boundary with Champel. The district comprises the following sectors:
- Plainpalais;
- Cluse;
- Philosophes;
- Jonction;
- Village suisse;
- Ansermet;
- Dancet;
- Minoteries;
- Augustins.
An area surrounded by water
The area is bordered by two rivers, the Rhone and the Arve, which converge at the tip of the appropriately named ‘Jonction’ sector. Water plays a central role in this district, a large part of which was formerly nothing but marshland. The tradition of bathing dates back to the 19th century, with the development of the public baths on the little island of Les Volontaires. While these are now long gone, the practice continues to this day on the banks of the Rhone in la Jonction district, which are besieged by bathers on hot summer days.
A vibrant district open to outsiders
Plainpalais Jonction is a dynamic district bursting with restaurants, bars, cafés and shops of all kinds. The numerous theatres and cultural venues contribute to the vitality of the district. Its specialist shops, numerous academic institutions and its proximity to the hospital attract far more people than those merely living in the district ... which does not for all that prevent the latter from playing an active role in associative life and the life of the district in general.
Cultural life with an industrial past
Throughout its history, la Jonction has been home to numerous industrial buildings. Several of these have been transformed into cultural venues or concert halls, artists’ workshops or even discotheques. An example of this is the Musée d'art moderne et contemportain (MAMCO) in Les Bains, which rubs shoulders with numerous art galleries. .
At La Coulouvrenière, the alternative cultural centre of l'Usine overlooks the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices (BFM), which primarily offers a programme of classical music.
Since 1995, the Artamis autonomous cultural centre has also played a key role in la Jonction. At the beginning of the new millennium, the industrial past of the site, formerly home to a gas plant, was brought clearly into perspective: an inventory of the polluted sites within the canton confirmed serious cyanide and hydrocarbon pollution within the zone that posed a threat to the underground water. While certain cultural activities were delocalised or vanished altogether for want of a venue, the 'Carré vert' sanitisation project was born in 2008. This resulted in the construction of the Jonction eco-district, comprising some 300 dwellings, local amenities, SMEs, association or cultural buildings and workshops.
Information about Plainpalais Jonction
The building sites currently in progress in your district
See the list of building sites lasting more than one month implemented by the City of Geneva in the Plainpalais Jonction district.
The Plainpalais information centre
The attentive staff of the Plainpalais information centre, located on the left bank of the river, provide social health, education and cultural information about Geneva while facilitating access to municipal, cantonal and associative services.
The brochure on the districts of Acacias Bâtie and Plainpalais Jonction
The 'Near you' district brochure, available for download at the bottom of the page or from the info-service centres, helps inhabitants familiarise themselves with the services available in their district provided by the public authorities or the network of associations.
Article modifié le 08.04.2024 à 13:57