L'horloge fleurie

L'horloge fleurie is a floral clock in Geneva's Jardin Anglais that arranges roughly 3,000 plants in a circular pattern with a diameter of about 5 meters. The timepiece is powered by mechanical clockwork and maintained weekly by the city's gardening team.

The floral clock was created in 1955 by landscape architect Armand Auberson as a fusion of Geneva's horticultural and watchmaking traditions. This creation marked the beginning of a unique blend of two crafts combined in a public space.

The clock displays seasonal changes through its plantings: begonias in summer, pansies in autumn, primroses in March, and fresh pansies in April. These rotating compositions turn the garden into a place where visitors experience nature's rhythm throughout the year.

The clockwork is kept accurate through satellite synchronization and remains accessible year-round in the garden setting. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when fewer visitors are around and the plantings are seen in better light.

The second hand measures about 2.5 meters, making it the world's longest, and was donated by Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe. This remarkable feature is a technical wonder that many visitors walk past without noticing.

Location: Geneva

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: Quai du Général-Guisan 28, 1204 Genève, Switzerland

Phone: +41224185000

Website: https://ville-geneve.ch/plan-ville/patrimoine-tourisme/horloge-fleurie/item/lieu/lhorloge-fleurie

GPS coordinates: 46.20418,6.15098

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03