All photos in this article ©Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman 2022-2026
In 1886, a company located at the end of the lake used to pump and distribute water under pressure for craftsmen’s machines. Since there was little need in the evening, they let the pressure escape through a small hole on one extremity at La Coulouvrenière, resulting in a water fountain of 30 meters.
In 1891, the City of Geneva decided to install the Jet d’Eau where it is today, on the Rade, to celebrate Switzerland’s 600th anniversary.
The City of Geneva decided to turn it into a tourist attraction. The Jet was then moved to the end of the Eaux-Vives pier, in the heart of the harbor. It wasn’t until 1951 that the Jet d’eau reached its current height (140 meters). This technical feat was made possible by the construction of an autonomous pumping station.
To support awareness-raising, humanitarian, or promotional events for International Geneva, the Jet is occasionally adorned with the most beautiful colors and illuminates the heart of the harbor (see list for colors seen for June 2026). Combining power and aesthetics, it has become the emblem of a festive, creative city resolutely focused on the future.
Today, five retired SIG volunteers keep watch over it to ensure it operates smoothly and to shut it down when weather conditions require it.
To project half a cubic meter of water per second up to 140 meters high requires two powerful groups of motor pumps, representing a global weight of over 16 tons and a total power of close to 1,000 kilowatts, fed by an electric tension of 2,400 volts. The water is drawn in a circular water-pump and is directed towards an exit pipe where the speed reaches 200 km/h (130 miles per hour).
JET D’EAU GUIDED TOUR SIG
Environnement Eau Potable Exploitation des ouvrages
022 420 75 71
www.sig-ge.ch
Visits organized for companies, associations, or schools. The workings of the giant water jet built in 1891 symbolizes Geneva. Half a cubic meter of water per second is projected skyward to 140m at a speed of 200km/h! Open April through October weekdays, check website for times. Duration of tour is 1 hour and is free-of-charge (recommended for age 10+). Prior reservation necessary. NOTE: If you time your visit for the morning, one of the visitors can turn on the Jet d’Eau. See more information at the bottom of this article*.
PORT MINIATURE
Jet d’Eau lakeshore
1207 Genève
076 585 70 50
www.port-miniature.ch
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Offers the following boats for rent: 7x 8-horsepower gasoline-powered motorboats (no license required) that seat 4 or 5 people (CHF 65.- to CHF 85.-/hour) and can be rented for up to 4.5 hours (CHF 270.- to CHF 365.-). For the little ones there are 8x electric toy boats (tug boats, ferries, etc.) accompanied by adults (Fr. 35.-/30 minutes.). Reservations are recommended for motorboats during peak periods and on weekends. Open from mid-June to mid-August daily, weather-permitting. Check website for other times during the year.
ARLECCHINO GLACIER
1, rue du 31-décembre
1207 Genève
022 736 70 60
www.larlecchino.ch
Home-made ice cream with favorites as well as some unusual flavors also include choices for diabetics and lactose-free diets. NOTE: Their specialty is the chocolate sorbet. The perfect place to get an Italian-style gelato and stroll along the lakeside near the Jet d’Eau. There are other ice cream stands along the lake, but it is worth the effort to cross the street to indulge in Arlecchino's wonderful artisan gelato.
MOUETTES GENEVOISES
022 732 29 44
www.tpg.ch
www.mouettesgenevoises.ch
Yellow boats that ferry you across the lake from 5 different points in Geneva: Pâquis, Molard, Eaux-Vives, Genève-Plage, and Châteaubriand. Pay for a TPG ticket valid one hour and it is valid on all the Geneva bus systems and trains within zone 10. The one that goes from Pâquis to Eaux-Vives will get you very close to the Jet d'Eau and will allow some amazing photo opportunities.
2026 Hours of operation and light shows of the Jet d'Eau
Thursday, 1 January through Sunday, 1 March 2026
10h to 16h (22h30 with lighting upon request)
Monday, March 2 through Sunday, May 3, 2026
Monday through Thursday: 10h to sunset (22h30 with lighting upon request)
Friday through Sunday: 10h to 22h30 (with lighting)
Monday, 4 May to Sunday, 13 September 2026
9h to 23h15 (with illumination)
Monday, 14 September to Sunday, 1 November 2026
Monday to Thursday: 10h to sunset (22h30 with illumination upon request)
Friday to Sunday: 10h to 22h30 (with lighting)
Monday, 2 November through Thursday, 3 December 2026
Fountain closed for maintenance
Friday, 4 December through Thursday, 31 December 2026
10h to 16h (22h30 with lighting upon request)
June 2026 celebrations and colors of the Jet d'Eau
2 June 2026: Journée d'action contre la chaleur ("Heat Action Day") - Orange
5 June 2026: Journée mondiale de l’environnement - Vert
18 June 2026: Conférence mondiale sur l'éthique et la sécurité de l'intelligence artificielle - Dégradé de bleu
20 June 2026: Journée mondiale des réfugiés - Bleu
26 June 2026: Campagne « Support. Don’t Punish » pour la promotion de politiques centrées sur la réduction des risques et le soutien aux personnes consommatrices de substances - Vert pomme
*Target Audience for Jet d'Eau tours with SIG
These guided tours are intended for companies, schools, organizations, and public institutions. Tours are organized for groups of 10 to 12 people.
Children under the age of 10 are not permitted on tours.
Please note: Tours are not suitable for people with limited mobility.
Guided tours for the deaf and hard of hearing are currently being developed.
Tour Information
April 1 through October 31: Every day of the week except Tuesday.
Tours take place in the morning, one hour before the Jet is activated (see schedule).
Duration: 1 hour
Languages: French and English
Prices
Tours are free for schools, organizations, and public institutions.
For companies, the rate is CHF 300 per guide (12 people).
Registration is required.
Registration Procedures
For organizational reasons, please allow one month between the date of your request and the date of the visit.
After completing the form, you will receive an automatic confirmation email.
The date will be tentatively reserved; however, a minimum of two weeks is required to receive final confirmation from us.
If you have specific questions, you can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please use this email address only for questions or inquiries regarding tours.
For other matters, please contact SIG Customer Service.
View the visit guidelines
Due to the high volume of local requests we receive, please note that we are no longer able to accommodate visitors from regions outside of Switzerland or the “Greater Geneva” area.
