Lights on Lac Leman -- December 1, 2006

Friday was Geneva's annual "Le Festival Arbres & Lumières" event, which marks the beginning of the holiday season. Through artistic expression, the trees of the city are animated with lights, music and/or decoration.

First we walked out to the "les bains", where the big trees lit up and sparked as if they were being struck by lightening.

LEFT: The jeteé des paquis. It is blury because of the colored trees across the lake in Eaux-vive. CENTER: Swans on the beach. RIGHT: A torchlight march commences the festival along Quai-Mont Blanc...

From the Paquis, we walked by Ile de Rousseau to the Pont de Machine. There a European jester/clown performed for the crowds.

Along the bridge were these illuminated manequin-like artforms suspended in mid-air. We were impressed.
CENTER picture: Ile de Rousseau off in the distance.



LEFT: The jester/clown spinning a burning rope--ooh, ahh, ohh. CENTER: At the marché de noel in vielle ville, a man stirs a caldon of vin chaud (or hot wine with spices). RIGHT:Old town street lights on Rue de conféderation.
To see more pictures, click HERE.