Yelp Review 2026 #177: A park that's easy to get to. There's a tram stop right in front of this park. There's a cafe. There are people playing games like bocce ball. Unfortunately, it was pouring when we were here and it quickly turned to hail. If you've ever experienced getting hit by hail, you know it's not a pleasant experience. That dampened my mood. My sister wanted to see the Reformation Wall and her map kept giving her wrong directions exposing us to hail while I just wanted to stay under the protection of the trees. The map wanted us to get out of the park, walk uphill, enter a gate which is the entrance of the same park! So, stay inside the park and keep walking away from the main entrance and you'll find the Reformation Wall to your left. You can't miss is. It has bas-relief and giant statues of important Reformation leaders such as John Knox, John Calvin, etc. Was it worth getting pelted by hail? Not really. Did I spend money to see it? No. If the sun was out, I'd imagine myself enjoying this park. read more

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**LAST Geneva review** One of the things I like the most about Geneva is that hanging out in parks is an everyday activity, kicking a football around, throwing frisbees, or just lazing around on a blanket with a picnic lunch. Granted, it is probably because there's very little else to do on weekends, but it is this forced sense of leisure that gives Geneva it's distinct romantic European feel. I'm not much of a nature person myself (I don't really like any of the elements, be it wind, sun, grass, or sand), but I do go out of my way to walk through this park on my way to the Old Village from Plainpalais. Parc des Bastions is a great respite from the city surrounding it. You don't just happen on it--the tall gated entrance that faces the Rath Museum provides a magnificent entryway into the wide promenade flanked on both sides by large expanses of grass, tall trees, and beautiful architecture. Just inside the entrance is the over-sized checker and chess boards that decorate the paved ground. You would expect tourists to be posing with the knee-high chess pieces, but instead, it's where the locals, young and old, play pick-up games with friends and strangers. As if it's the most normal thing in the world to be dragging enormous checker/chess pieces across a huge board with your feet. If you walk on a bit further, you'll find on your left a magnificent wall sculpture of the founding fathers of Geneva. Being much of a city girl, I've never really figured out what people do in parks. But despite my own inability to enjoy spending hours sitting around in the grass, I am going to miss watching other people who have mastered the art of un-bothered relaxation. read more

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Sometimes, walking around a beautiful Swiss city like Geneva gets tiring...like 10 miles of walking and I gotta take a break. Yes, I usually stop at cafes and bars for my second-wind, but sometimes, I have to check out the serenity of the local parks. This park is redic. Just look at my pics and wish that you, too, had an opportunity to get tired from gadding around Switzerland and chillaxin at this park. Be like Louis R, travel to Switzerland. read more

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Parc des Bastions is a small park just on the other side of old town Geneva. It has some green space to kick a ball around in, but not much. What makes this park unique is the multiple life size chess boards that are always packed with people playing, a restaurant, and the reformation wall. During the winter there is also a tiny temporary ice rink set up for the little ones to ice skate on. The large promenade of trees going down the middle is beautiful, and I always love strolling through the park, even if it is not the most direct way to get to where I need to be. Like today on my way to lunch. I couldn't just walk by the large gates surrounding the park, I was drawn by the magnetic pull of peacefulness to stroll through the park and people watch as I burned a few extra calories to make more room for my upcoming yummy lunch. read more

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Nice park with those huge chess sets awaits for your challenge! It's a piece of oasis behind the tram and busy city life.....I enjoyed the little stroll . read more