John Murray - Geneva Tour Guide

04/06/2026

02/05/2026

🚲 Geneva, where literature meets legend…
What if one of the world’s most chilling stories was born right here on the shores of Lake Geneva?
In the dark, stormy summer of 1816, an 18-year-old Mary Shelley arrived in Geneva alongside Lord Byron and a circle of young writers. Confined indoors by relentless bad weather at a villa in Cologny, they challenged each other to write the scariest story imaginable. As a result, Mary created Frankenstein, giving birth to science fiction as we know it.
From eerie lakeside settings to the tragic tale of a monster haunting Plainpalais, this story is deeply rooted in Geneva’s landscapes.
Today, I joined the Samedis du Vélo – Vélotour “Frankenstein” by Pro Velo Genève — a 4-hour guided bike tour led in English by historian Cyrille Wohlschlag. Together, we explored the real locations behind the legend and uncovered the fascinating history of that unforgettable summer.
✨ The best part?
Pro Velo Genève offers FREE bike tours every month “Samedis di Vélo”, exploring a different cultural or historical themes across Geneva. A perfect way to discover the city from a new perspective!
For more info, visit https://www.pro-velo-geneve.ch
Would you dare to follow in the footsteps of Frankenstein? 👁️