Pierres du Niton, Glacial erratics in Geneva harbor, Switzerland
Description
The Pierres du Niton are two granite boulders rising from Lake Geneva with distinctly different heights above the waterline. The larger stone dominates the view while the smaller remains clearly visible from the shore.
History
During the last ice age, glacial ice from the Mont Blanc massif carried these rocks across the landscape and left them here as the glaciers retreated. In the 1700s a scientist named Horace-Bénédict de Saussure recognized their alpine origin and studied them.
Culture
The name Niton comes from Neptune, the Roman god of water venerated by Gallic peoples who lived along this shoreline. These rocks held meaning for early settlers as a place where the everyday and sacred worlds met.
Practical
You can see these boulders from the Quai Gustave-Ador on the lake's left bank where the waterfront promenade offers good views. The clearest views come on days when the water is calm and the light is bright.
Did you know?
These stones served for many centuries as crucial reference points for Swiss mapmakers and surveyors who needed exact locations for their work. This technical role is less known today, yet it reveals how natural features were used to map the country with precision.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Geneva).
Jet d'Eau
228 m
Beau-Rivage Geneva
514 m
Jardin Anglais
256 m
L'horloge fleurie
304 m
Mont Blanc Bridge
433 m
Centre islamique de Genève
525 m
Phare des Pâquis
525 m
Calvinium
322 m
Gallery Brulhart
535 m
Maison Royale, Genève
536 m
Immeubles
399 m
Phare des Eaux-Vives (Genève)
286 m
Fontaine du Jardin Anglais
225 m
Immeubles rue Pierre Fatio, Genève
259 m
Fontaine de la place Longemalle
443 m
Immeubles
429 m
Quai du Mont-Blanc et mobilier urbain de 1896
496 m
Fontaine de la place du Port
376 m
Immeubles
403 m
Construction in the Third and Fourth Dimension
379 m
Fontaine de la Place du Port
374 m
Fontaine de la place Métropole
321 m
Patek Philippe Salons
420 m
Fontaine de la place Longemalle
442 m
Du Paon residential building
453 m
Des Pans residential building
460 m
Fontaine de la place des Florentins
297 m
Fontaine de la rue de l'Avenir
547 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes