Carouge

Carouge, although administratively an independent city, is considered the bohemian and artistic district of Geneva. For the pilgrim starting the Via Gebennensis, crossing Carouge is the perfect transition between Geneva's cosmopolitan center and French countryside. Designed in the 18th century by Italian architects for King Sardinia, the town boasts a charming Mediterranean style, with colorful houses, interior patios, and a relaxed atmosphere that contrasts with Geneva's sobriety. Its streets are filled with artisans' workshops, art galleries, design boutiques, animated bistros, and markets. For the walker, it is an opportunity to enjoy a unique ambiance, seal the credential in the Church of the Holy Cross, and take a last coffee on one of its terraces before embarking on the route. In the Way of St James, Carouge represents a charming farewell to Switzerland, an artistic prelude before crossing the border and starting the adventure into French territory.