Today was Jeûne Genevois, a public holiday in the canton of Geneva. Since schools and many businesses were closed, our boarding group took the opportunity to spend the day in Lausanne, a beautiful city by Lake Geneva.

We started by walking around the city, exploring shops and enjoying the lively atmosphere. Some of us bought clothes, others tried different foods, and of course, we made a stop at Starbucks for a treat. Lausanne has a great mix of modern stores and charming streets, so there was something for everyone.

One of the highlights of the day was visiting the Olympic Museum. Lausanne is known as the Olympic Capital, because it’s home to the International Olympic Committee. The museum is full of fascinating exhibits about the history of the Olympic Games, famous athletes, and the values of sportsmanship. For some of us, it was a return visit, but for others, it was the first time—and definitely memorable!

We ended the day with more shopping, relaxing on terraces, and enjoying the stunning views from the Cathedral terrace. Yaroslav and Andrei even went up there to take in the scenery. It was a peaceful and fun way to wrap up the day.

What Is Jeûne Genevois?

Jeûne Genevois means “Geneva Fast” in French. It’s a special day in Geneva where people used to stop eating for a while to think, pray, and remember important events. It started a long time ago, in 1567, when Geneva was part of the Protestant Reformation—a time when many people in Europe were changing how they practiced religion.

The first Jeûne Genevois was held to support Protestants in France who were being treated badly. Later, in 1572, something very sad happened: thousands of Protestants called Huguenots were killed in France during the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. Geneva held another fast to remember them, and this became a tradition every year 1 2 3.

Today, most people don’t fast anymore, but the day is still a public holiday. Many families in Geneva eat a plum tart (called tarte aux pruneaux) on this day. It’s a sweet tradition that has become part of the local culture.