Lễ hội Climbing Festival

Every year on the weekend closest to December 11, Geneva hosts the historic Escalade festival (Fête de l'Escalade) to commemorate the victory over the invading armies of the Dukes of Savoy in 1602.

The l'Escalade tradition began on the night of December 11, 1602, when the Duke of Savoy plotted a surprise attack on the canton of Geneva in the darkness of night at 2 a.m. with his army. The duke wanted his best soldiers to secretly climb over the walls of Geneva to hold the gates from the inside and then open the doors to the troops.

There is a legend that tells the story of a woman named Catherine Cheynel. It is said that while cooking soup, she was lucky to spot attackers approaching from below, she quickly poured a large cauldron of hot soup over them as they were hanging on the wall. The noise awakened the entire city and the militia successfully defended Geneva from the armies of the Duke of Savoy. As a celebration of this moment, a special pot of chocolates stuffed with marzipan candies is consumed every year during the 'Escalade' festival.

On Friday nights, members of each family gather together, the oldest and youngest in the group breaking the pot of chocolate together and saying “Ainsi périrent les ennemis de la Réoublique!” (For the destruction of the enemies of the Republic!) to pay homage to the legend of the woman who poured hot soup over the invading soldiers climbing the wall.

On Saturdays and Sundays, more than 800 adults in traditional families wear historic costumes to parade through the streets, shoot antique rifles, and play drums while thousands of locals and visitors gather looking through from the window and on the road.

The festival ends with a huge ceremonial fire in the square in front of St. Peter at 6 p.m. Sunday. All 800 "soldiers" in historic costumes, some on horseback from the parade around the old town, will meet attendees and gather around the bonfire. The army general will read aloud a historic treaty for the crowd to hear.

Every detail of the festival is strictly controlled, with sponsors dividing the work so that all participants get what they need from medical care to route guidance. This is an event that visitors visiting Geneva at this time should attend, as it is the best way to get to know the history of the city of Geneva.

Address: Old Town, Genoa at Place du Bourg-de-Four (Saturday afternoon) / Park des Bastions (3 weekends) / square opposite St. Peter's Cathedral (18:00 on Sunday)

Festival time: Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the week near December 11 every year