Pierres du Niton

The Pierres du Niton consist of two granite boulders emerging from Lake Geneva, with the larger stone reaching 4.3 meters and the smaller one 3.5 meters in height.

In 1779, scientist Horace Benedict de Saussure identified these rocks as granite from the Alps, while later studies traced their origin to the Mont Blanc massif from 303 million years ago.

The name Niton derives from Neptune, the water god honored by Gauls who settled around the lake, as evidenced by ancient inscriptions discovered in Geneva and Lausanne.

Located near Quai Gustave-Ador on the left bank of Lake Geneva at coordinates 46°12'20.422" N and 6°9'15.566" E, these stones serve as reference points for Swiss cartography.

Square holes at the top of the larger stone indicate potential religious ceremonies during the Bronze Age between 1500 and 1200 BCE.

Location: Geneva

Elevation above the sea: 373.6 m

Height: 4.3 m

Made from material: granite

Part of: list of cultural properties in Geneva / Eaux-Vives

Address: Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Genève 1207 1207

GPS coordinates: 46.20532,6.15509

Latest update: May 25, 2025 13:48