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fête de geneva, geneva festival, geneva fireworks, grande fireworks geneva, petit fireworks geneva
The Fêtes de Genève is currently taking place, July 18 – August 11. One of the most memorable parts of the festival is the fireworks displays that occur in honor of the fête.
Grand Feu d’Artifice 2012. Photo crédit: www.fetesdegeneve.ch
Two fireworks shows happen during the Fêtes de Genève: a short opening display (the Petit Feu d’Artifice / Feu d’Ouverture des Fêtes de Genève) and a magnificent grand finale (the Grand Feu d’Artifice).
Tomorrow night, Saturday, August 3, the Petit Feu d’Artifice begins at 22h30 (10:30 p.m.). This show lasts for 20 minutes and although it’s the smaller of the two shows at the Fêtes de Genève, it is still a magnificent spectacle.
Petit Feu d’Artifice 2011
One week later, the grand finale of the festival occurs Saturday, August 10th at 22h00 (10:00 p.m.). This display is 55 minutes long and is the largest fireworks display in all of Europe!
The show is set to music played over loudspeakers around the lake and also broadcast on One FM 107. The theme of this year’s Grand Feu d’Artifice is “Conquests and Conquerors,” in honor of the festival’s guest of honor country Portugal.
Grand Feu d’Artifice 2011
For paying spectators, the city erects stadium-style seating along the lakeshore and on the Mont Blanc bridge. Tickets for the grand finale are on sale now (for CHF 50.-, 60.-, and 70.-). More information about purchasing tickets is available here.
Of course, you don’t have to buy a ticket to see the Grand Feu d’Artifice, and no tickets are sold for the Petit Feu d’Artifice. Public parks and beaches along the lake are popular vantage points, as are parks overlooking the lake, such as the Parc des Eaux-Vives, the Jardins Botaniques, the Château des Penthes, and the park next to the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire.
Wherever you choose to watch the fireworks, be forewarned – both shows are extremely popular and crowds will be thick especially along the lake. Be prepared to claim your spot early. More information about public transportation and parking during the fireworks, and during the entire Fêtes de Genève, is available by clicking here. You can also read our earlier post about this year’s Fêtes here.
Enjoy the shows!
Crowds assemble on Mont Blanc bridge for the Grand Feu d’Artifice 2012. Photo crédit: www.fetesdegeneve.ch
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