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Guillaume Henri Dufour Monument: A Tribute to Swiss Excellence

A stately equestrian monument in Geneva's Place de Neuve, honoring General Dufour, a leader, engineer, and founder of the Red Cross.

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The Guillaume Henri Dufour monument in Geneva stands as a tribute to the remarkable life and achievements of General Guillaume Henri Dufour, a Swiss military officer, engineer, and topographer. Located on the Place de Neuve, this equestrian statue commemorates Dufour's contributions to Swiss unity and his role in the founding of the International Red Cross.

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Local tips

  • Visit Place de Neuve on a Wednesday or Saturday morning to experience the vibrant Plainpalais flea market nearby.
  • Combine your visit with a performance at the Grand Theatre or an exhibition at the Rath Museum, both located on Place de Neuve.
  • Take a stroll through the adjacent Bastions Park, home to the Reformation Wall, another significant historical monument.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Jardin Anglais, walk southwest along the Quai Général-Guisan, cross the Pont du Mont-Blanc, and continue onto Place Bel-Air. From there, walk along Rue de la Corraterie to Place de Neuve. The monument will be in the center of the square. The walk is approximately 15 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    From Geneva Airport, take the train to Gare Cornavin. From Gare Cornavin, take tram line 12, 17 or 18 to the Place de Neuve stop. The monument is located in the center of the square. A single ticket for zone 10, valid for 60 minutes, costs CHF 3. Alternatively, a short trip ticket costs CHF 2.

  • Taxi

    From Geneva Airport, a taxi to Place de Neuve will cost approximately CHF 35-45, depending on traffic and time of day. The journey takes around 20 minutes. Taxis are available at the airport taxi stand.

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The Guillaume Henri Dufour monument, prominently situated on Geneva's Place de Neuve, honors the multifaceted career of Guillaume Henri Dufour (1787-1875). Dufour was a Swiss military officer, structural engineer, and topographer who served under Napoleon I. He is best known for leading the Swiss Confederation forces to victory against the Sonderbund in 1847 and for presiding over the First Geneva Convention in 1864, which established the International Red Cross. The bronze equestrian statue, created by Swiss sculptor Karl Alfred Lanz, was unveiled on June 2, 1884. It depicts General Dufour in uniform, raising his right arm in a commanding gesture. The statue stands as a symbol of Swiss unity and Dufour's significant contributions to the country. Place de Neuve itself is a significant square in Geneva, bordered by important cultural institutions such as the Rath Museum, the Grand Theatre, and the Conservatory of Music. The square also provides access to the Bastions Park and is located between the Old Town and Plaine de Plainpalais. The statue of Henri Dunant, another key figure in the Red Cross, is also located nearby, further emphasizing the area's historical importance.

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