Water Fountain (Jet dEau)

Geneva’s Jet d’Eau has been breaking the calm of this peaceful city for over a hundred years. The idea that a water fountain might be a tourist attraction came about purely by chance in 1886, when a solution was needed to relieve pressure at the Forces Motrices pumping and power station. The water initially reached a height of 30m (98ft), and quickly began to draw large crowds. This led to a more impressive fountain being introduced on Eaux-Vives jetty in 1891 to coincide with the 600th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation and the opening of the Federal Gymnastics Festival. The fountain, which reached a height of 90m (295ft) in 1891, has been technologically improved to spurt water 140m (460ft) into the air. At three times the height of the Statue of Liberty, it is now Europe’s tallest fountain and today, two electric pumps are used to blast an estimated seven tonnes of water aloft at a speed of 200kmph (124mph).
Air: Geneva International Airport. Rail: Train: Cornavin Station. Tram: Cours de Rive Station. Road: Bus: Eaux-Vives Bus Stop. Car: A1 (from Lausanne).