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History & Culture

Fête de l'Escalade

Go back in time and discover Geneva’s most popular historical festival!

Geneva
at the Heart of TRADITIONS
13>15 December

Starting on Saturday, the cobblestone streets of Geneva come alive with majestic historical parades, featuring hundreds of participants dressed in period costumes.
Accompanied by drums, trumpets, and brass bands, soldiers, artisans, and citizens parade through the city, recreating the ambiance of 17th-century Geneva.
This captivating spectacle offers visitors a chance to experience scenes of life from the past and witness a faithful reenactment of Geneva in 1602.

What to Expect During the Escalade Festival

Throughout the weekend, you can expect a full historical immersion. Activities include artisanal demonstrations, traditional food stands, patriotic songs, and period speeches across the squares and alleys of the Old Town. The atmosphere is infused with the energy and enthusiasm of costumed participants who proudly embody the characters of the era. Both young and old can marvel at demonstrations of forging, weaponry, and craftsmanship while savoring Geneva specialties, like the traditional hot soup, offered in tribute to the heroism of Mère Royaume.

On Sunday, festivities culminate with the Grand Historical Parade of the Escalade, an emblematic tradition that concludes the celebration.

Detailed program

For a complete experience and a detailed program of the parades, activities, and ceremonies throughout the weekend

Check out the information available here

Special
“Escalade” Activities

Ligne de départ de la 45e Course de l'Escalade

46th Course de l'Escalade

Course de l'Escalade, a festive and popular pedestrian race, will take place on Saturday December 7 and Sunday December 8, 2024 in Geneva's Old Town.

In the Heart of the Escalade

From historical facts to local traditions, this is a visit that will take you back in time. Be guided through the cobbled streets of the Old Town and discover the Escalade that cemented Geneva’s independence. With the help of your guide, you’ll relive this unique event as if you were there !

Discover this guided tour

Dreamscape Geneva

Dreamscape is a new storytelling medium, combining the emotional power of cinematic storytelling with the thrill of theme-park rides to create the ultimate destination for virtual reality entertainment. Share the wonder of Dreamscape with your family and friends, and together you’ll be transported to fantastic worlds beyond imagination. Explore our website to learn…

Experience The Escalade as if you were there

L'Escalade:
Geneva's Historic Celebration
of Courage & Chocolate

© Book : La nuit de L'Escalade. Le onze décembre mil six cent deux.
GUILLOT (Alexandre)

Once upon a time, on the night of 11-12 December 1602…

During the night, Geneva was stormed by the troops of the Duke of Savoy who sought to annex the city to France, but the Savoyards never succeeded in breaking through the ramparts thanks to the energy of Geneva’s citizens, and in particular the famous Mère Royaume (“Mother Kingdom”), whose story we will tell you a little later.
Thus, for more than 400 years, Geneva has been celebrating this victory with sumptuous parades and period demonstrations that transport you for three days to the dawn of the 17th century.
All generations come together to enjoy the historical traditions, and great characters roam in every corner of the city, dressed in unique medieval costumes, parading on foot and on horseback. Children proudly carry their torches to the sound of drums and the great choir, where the whole town sings historical songs around a gigantic bonfire.
L’Escalade is THE top festival of living traditions in Geneva and takes place early December every year!

The story of Mère Royaume and the Chocolate Pot

Chocolate makers get busy for the Escalade festival as it is customary for Geneva’s residents to break a chocolate pot with family and friends and to gobble up the mouth-watering chocolate and the little vegetable-shaped marzipan sweets inside. But where does this tradition come from?
On the night of the attack in 1602, once the alert was given, Geneva’s citizens did their utmost to defend themselves and a certain Mère Royaume who was cooking a large pot of soup spilled her pot on the ramparts to prevent the enemies from climbing. This tradition pays tribute to her bravery and is enjoyed by young and old alike who delight in the delicious chocolate.
You will find the famous pot in various sizes at all the best chocolate shops in Geneva. Before breaking yours, don’t forget to recite the ritual phrase of L’Escalade: “Thus perish the enemies of the Republic”! You are now a true Genevois!
Throughout the city, you can also drink bowls of steaming-hot soup to warm up.

PLAN YOUR MAGIC BREAK: ESCALADE & CHRISTMAS MARKET

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