Old stone lovers are in for a treat. In the heart of Old Geneva, this hotel dates back to the 17th C. with even older stonework in the cellars.

The building - actually a grouping of four buildings - changed its layout as many times as it changed owners. During the Edict of Nantes in 1684, the building needed another storey in order to accommodate the Huguenot refugees, which explains the series of small windows under the eaves. A few years later, the Samuel Chouet de la Rive family brought together the different parts of the building to create one residence, inspired by the Italian model. Finally, when the present owner, Amédée Granges, took over the café in 1957 and then bought the whole building in 1977, the venerable structure was in a sad state.

The transformations and renovations that followed brought life back into the house's hidden treasures: painted beams, chimneys, interior frescos. Interior designer Philippe Michiels integrated some original pieces into the rooms, as he specialises in combining ancient and modern. A great success for a place that is in direct relationship with its history.

Close by, other places to discover:

La Maison Tavel: a 12th C. building that has protected its 17th C. black façade. This house is considered the city's oldest private residence. Home to the Old Geneva Museum, it traces Genevan history and daily life from the 14th to 17th centuries, as well as the « Magnin relief »  which was introduced into Geneva in 1850.

- Saint-Pierre Cathedral: a long history that dates back to about 1160. Originally a Romanesque construction, its vaults were later raised in the Gothic style. A pediment with Greco-Roman pillars was added in the 17th C. as a revival of antique art. To see: the «chaise de Calvin,»  the choir's carved stalls, as well as the archaeological site under the cathedral that recounts 21 centuries of history. And if you're courageous enough to climb the 157 snail-steps up «la tour Nord, » you'll enjoy an uninterrupted view of the city.

- Les Maccabhées Chapel: both a funerary and collegiate chapel, this building, which was erected in 1405, was the subject of several transformations and today has a Neo-Gothic look to it.

- The Arsenal Canons: surrounded with historical frescos, they date back to the 17th and 18th centuries.

- Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Space: Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born at 40 de la Grand-Rue in 1712. Today, the place functions as the Rousseau Space, which offers a 25min. audio-visual look at the works of this author, musician and philosopher of the «Lumières Movement.» http://www.espace-rousseau.ch/

Photos: CCA