Geneva, Switzerland

Tracy Breneman-Pennas
All photos are from my camera.
We lived in Geneva (Carouge) and bordering France (Chevry) for three years, 2003 through 2006.

General Geneva

Living in the Geneva Area

Important Phone Numbers

Ambulance: 144
Police: 117
Fire: 118
Taxi: 022.320.2202 or 022.331.4133
Poison Control in Lyon: 04.72.11.69.11
Swiss Poison Control (Zurich): 001-251-5151
Empoisonment (Cantonal Hosp.): 022.372.3311 / 022.382.3311
SOS Medcins (house calls 24/7): 022.748.4950 / 4960
SOS nurses : 022.301.3131
Doctors (house calls 24/7): 022.320.2511
Clinique des Grangettes: 022.305.0458

7, Chemin des Grangettes, Chene-Bougeries

Hopital de la Tour, Meyrin: 022.719.6100

Rue de Meyrin - almost to CERN

Hopital des Enfants, Carouge: 022.382.4551/4555

47, Ave. de la Roseraie

Shopping

WRG-FM 88.4 (classifieds)
Kiddie Club (classifieds)
Better use exchange
Aligro
IKEA (VD)
Migro on-line grocery shopping & delivery
FNAC
Conforama
Jumbo
Automania

Entertainment

Geneva for Children

Office de la Jeunesse:

Swiss school information

information in English

list of pre-school options for children

alternatives to public education

Information for froeign school-age children
Know-it-all Parent's Guide
Ecole Internationale
Kindermusik
Gymboree
Kiddie Club (activities and classified ads for babysitters, nannies, etc)
English Library (with storyhour)
Ferney-Voltaire play group programme
Baby's Lounge cafe
Iron-on labels and stickers
Geneva Baseball

About Geneva and Switzerland:

The city of Geneva has a population around 1828,000 and is the second largest city in Switzerland. Geneva Canton has a population of about 428,000.
We are at an altitude of 374 m (1,227 ft) above sea level.
The average temperature is 10°C (50°F) in the winter and 23°C (73°F) in the summer.
Geneva is located in the extereme south and western tip of the country, surrounded by France on three sides.
This part of Switzerland is French-speaking. Swiss German is spoken by 70% of the county, the other 30% speak Italian, French and Rheto-Romansch.
A center for watchmaking, gemstone and jewelry trading, and banking, as well as the home to the European headquarters of the United Nations. The World Health Organizations, where Thad works, is one of the branches of the UN system.
While much of Europe uses the Euro for currency, Switzerland still uses the national Swiss Franc (chf).
We lived in Carouge, which is part of larger Geneva. The canton of Geneva is divided into demi-cantons, and Carouge is one of the demi-cantons. It is part of Geneva but has its own town hall and administrative system. Carouge is known as the "Greenwich Village" of Geneva with its quirky shops, restaurants and cafes, and the charm of low buildings with inner courtyards. It's absolutely charming! Carouge also has an open-air market year-round with fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheeses, meats, olives, etc., etc. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
We also lived across the border in Chevry, France. Chevry is a small village just beyond Ferney-Voltaire.

E-mail: brenemanpennas@gmail.com