Escalade Festival – Geneva, Switzerland 2025

Background & History

The Fête de l’Escalade is Geneva’s most cherished historical festival, commemorating the city’s successful defense against a surprise attack by the Duke of Savoy’s troops on the night of December 11-12, 1602. Rooted in Geneva’s Protestant heritage, it celebrates the city’s resilience and independence, as citizens repelled invaders attempting to scale the city walls.

The festival began as a local commemoration but has grown into a major cultural event, drawing locals and visitors. It features historical reenactments, parades, and traditional foods, symbolizing Geneva’s pride in its history. The name “Escalade” comes from the French term for scaling fortified walls, reflecting the failed Savoyard assault. Over centuries, it has evolved into a vibrant celebration of Genevan identity, blending solemn remembrance with festive activities.

Event Highlights

• Historical Parades and Reenactments: Grand parades with over 800 participants in 17th-century costumes, including soldiers, artisans, and citizens, accompanied by drums, trumpets, and brass bands. The Sunday evening Grand Historical Parade, organized by the Compagnie de 1602, features 60 horses and reenactments at key sites like the Court of St Pierre.
• Chocolate Marmite Tradition: Visitors participate in breaking chocolate cauldrons filled with marzipan vegetables, honoring Mère Royaume, who legendarily threw boiling soup on attackers. This family-favorite tradition sees chocolate marmites sold widely in Geneva.
• Traditional Food and Drink: Free mulled wine (vin chaud) and vegetable soup are offered at various events, alongside Swiss delicacies like fondue and sausages at food stalls.
• Course de l’Escalade: A festive running race through Geneva’s Old Town, with categories for all ages, including the Duke’s Race (8 km) and costumed Marmite races for adults and youth.
• Passage de Monetier: A rare chance to walk through Geneva’s narrowest private passageway, open only during the festival weekend, often with free mulled wine at the exit.

Date & Duration

Dates: December 6–7, 2025 (main weekend celebrations, with the historical date marked on December 12, 2025)
Duration: 2 days (main festival), with additional activities on December 12

Venue / Location

Main Address: Court of St Pierre, near St. Peter’s Cathedral, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland (primary stage for reenactments and festival activities).
Additional Locations: The festival spans multiple sites in the city of Geneva, Switzerland, including:

• Treille Bastion: Promenade de la Treille, 1204 Geneva
• Parc des Bastions: Rue Saint-Léger, 1205 Geneva
• Passage de Monetier: Old Town, exact address private but accessible during the festival
• Course de l’Escalade Start Line: Rue de la Croix-Rouge, 1204 Geneva
• Training Routes:
  • Bernex: Chemin de Saule, 1233 Bernex
  • Meinier: Route de Gy, 1252 Meinier
  • Les Evaux: Chemin des Evaux, 1213 Onex
  • Plan-les-Ouates: Chemin des Ambroux, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates
  • Satigny: Route de Satigny, 1242 Satigny
  • Eaux-Vives: Quai Gustave-Ador, 1207 Geneva
  • Collex-Bossy: Chemin des Ouches, 1239 Collex-Bossy
  • Jussy: Route de Jussy, 1254 Jussy
    City and Country: Geneva, Switzerland

Contact Information

Email: contact@escalade.ch
Phone: +41 22 700 59 02 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–12:00 PM, 1:30 PM–5:00 PM)
Address: Course de l’Escalade, CP 6479, 1211 Geneva 6, Switzerland
Website: escalade.ch

Ticket Information

• General Admission: All public festival activities, including parades, reenactments, and food distributions, are free and open to everyone.
• Course de l’Escalade: Participation requires registration, opening mid-September 2025. Fees vary by category (e.g., Duke’s Race, Marmite Races, youth races), typically $10–$30 USD based on historical data, though exact 2025 prices are not yet available. Spectators attend for free. Registration is online via escalade.ch, with limited bibs due to Old Town capacity constraints.
• Special Options: No VIP seating is offered, but premium race packages may include souvenirs like medals or shirts. Check escalade.ch for updates.

Cultural Experience

The Fête de l’Escalade immerses visitors in Geneva’s 17th-century heritage. Torchlight parades feature participants in period costumes, including musketeers, artisans, and cavalry, recreating the 1602 defense. Patriotic songs, drumbeats, and musket fire fill the air, while historical speeches and demonstrations of forging and weaponry showcase Geneva’s past. The breaking of the chocolate marmite, accompanied by the phrase “Ainsi périssent les ennemis de la République!” (“Thus perish the enemies of the Republic!”), is a beloved ritual. Locals of all ages participate in school marches, singing war songs, and sharing stories of Mère Royaume’s bravery. The Course de l’Escalade adds a modern, athletic twist, with costumed runners racing through cobblestone streets.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties: The iconic chocolate marmite, filled with marzipan vegetables, is a festival highlight, available at chocolatiers like Auer Chocolatier or supermarkets like Migros ($5–$220 USD depending on size). Hot vegetable soup, inspired by Mère Royaume’s legendary cauldron, is served free at many events. Mulled wine (vin chaud) is distributed freely at sites like the Passage de Monetier.
• Other Delicacies: Food stalls offer Swiss classics like fondue, raclette, sausages, and hearty breads, perfect for the December chill.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: The festival is highly family-oriented, with children’s parades, drumming activities, and youth races (ages 6–15). The Chaperon Rouge tent at the Children’s Village in Parc des Bastions provides care for lost children, staffed by the Geneva Red Cross. A baby-changing and breastfeeding area is available at Escaladexpo.
• Accessibility: Most events in the Old Town are accessible, though cobblestone streets may pose challenges for wheelchairs. Parc des Bastions and major venues like the Court of St Pierre offer accessible areas. Public transport, including trams and buses, is equipped for accessibility, with free Geneva Transport Cards for those staying in approved accommodations.

Getting There

• By Air: Geneva Airport (GVA), 6 km from the city center, is the nearest international airport, with direct flights from major European and global cities. Taxis or trains (6-minute ride to Geneva Cornavin Station) cost $5–$10 USD.
• Public Transport: Geneva’s Old Town is well-served by trams and buses. The free Geneva Transport Card, provided with hotel stays, covers all public transport. Key stops include Bel-Air or Rive for Old Town access.
• Parking: Limited parking is available near the Old Town due to traffic restrictions, particularly on Sunday afternoon. Use parking garages like Parking du Mont-Blanc (Quai du Mont-Blanc, 1201 Geneva, ~$2–$4 USD/hour).
• Traffic Restrictions: Roads in the Old Town, including Rue de la Croix-Rouge and surrounding streets, are closed during the Course de l’Escalade and parades. Check escalade.ch for detailed maps.
• Shuttles: For the Course du Duc and Walking races, shuttles operate from Veyrier (Route de Veyrier 264/A) to Parc des Bastions.

Santéscalade Program

The Sant’escalade initiative, run by a non-profit since 2006, promotes health and physical activity. It targets youth (ages 6–15) with training programs in Bernex, Meinier, Les Evaux, and other locations, supervised by nutrition and sports specialists. For seniors (over 55), a 12-week training program from September to November prepares participants for the Course de l’Escalade, held at the Athlética center. These programs emphasize inclusion, with routes like Les Evaux (1.45 km for youth, 5.39 km for adults) designed for all abilities. The Sant’escalade and Together Run event on June 22, 2025, at Les Evaux promotes integration and inclusion.

Course de l’Escalade Details

• Race Format: Includes 2-lap (4.832 km, +102 m/-111 m elevation) and 3-lap (7.323 km, +155 m/-164 m elevation) races, starting at Rue de la Croix-Rouge and finishing at Parc des Bastions. Rankings are by age category and net time, with prizes for the top five in each category. Mixed pace blocks are formed based on estimated race times provided during registration.
• Registration Limits: Due to the Old Town’s narrow streets, participant numbers are capped to ensure safety and comfort. New start times have been added to accommodate demand.
• Schedule: On December 6, 2025, 2-lap races start in the morning, followed by junior races, with 3-lap races in the early afternoon. Full timetables are available at escalade.ch.

Additional Services

• Bag Storage: Available at Parc des Bastions for Course participants, using coin-operated lockers (2 CHF or 5 CHF, ~$2–$5 USD, refundable). Only one bag per person is accepted.
• Changing Rooms: Located at Collège Calvin (Rue Théodore De-Bèze 2-4, 1206 Geneva), with hot showers and hair dryers.
• Massages: Provided by Jérôme Bachelard at Uni Dufour during the festival weekend.
• Souvenir Prizes: Runners receive a unique souvenir designed by the 47th edition’s artist upon crossing the finish line.
• Results and Photos: SMS notifications with race times and rankings are sent to participants. Photos are mailed to Swiss residents who opt in, with no purchase obligation, and are available online at escalade.ch.