A ROUND-UP OF GENEVA’S OPEN AIR CINEMAS – SUMMER 2018
by Sarah Scaddan
During the summer months in Geneva, a handful of large outdoor cinema screens are erected on the shores of Lake Geneva and in our city’s lovely parks. Films start late, waiting for the sun to go down, and a wide range of films are screened in many languages. There are classics, new releases, theme nights and arthouse films to choose from. Cine du Lac is a more formal experience with tiered seating and a bar and restaurant. At other open air cinemas, you can bring your own chairs or picnic blankets, and get cosy under the stars. Here’s our round-up of what’s on offer:
THE DELUXE OPTION – ALLIANZ CINEMA
Previously known as Salt Cinema and Ciné du Lac, this theatre fascinates me every year as it looks like such a mission to erect. A team of divers are employed to secure the cinema which extends out into the lake, and the whole things takes weeks to erect, just for four weeks of fun. Seats are tiered and if it rains, raincoats are swiftly distributed. There is a bar and restaurant and if you book in advance, this is also a good position to watch the fabulous Fete de Genève fireworks. They host apéro and cocktail evenings on Wednesdays. The toilets are very civilised!
DATES:
16th July-26th August 2018.
(COMPETITION: To win tickets to: MAMMA MIA – HERE WE GO AGAIN at Allianz Cinema, dheck out our Facebook page.)
PROGRAMME:
There is a great programme of recently released films, including 14 English language films such as Mama Mia, Here We Go Again, the sequel to Mama Mia on 25th July and 26th August, the Spielberg thriller Pentagon Papers (The Post) on 29th July, Mission Impossible, Fallout on 2nd and 15th August and Book Club on 7th August.
For the full programme click here.
COST:
15chf per adult.
WHERE:
Port-Noir, Genève (close to Genève Plage). Parking at Genève Plage.
BRING WITH YOU:
Warm clothes or a blanket for when the sun goes down and don’t forget the mosquito repellent.
THE ÜBER-RELAXED OPTION – CINÉ TRANSAT
Situated in Parc de la Perle du Lac, this cinema experience is free of charge so it is best to get there early to get a good spot. There is a snack bar, public toilets and a limited amount of deck chairs to hire, but this is the place to bring your own blankets, make yourself comfy, enjoy a picnic and chilled wine from your cool box.
DATES:
12th July-19th August 2018.
PROGRAMME:
Lots of old favourites including one of my favourite films EVER Little Miss Sunshine on 12 July. Also Ghost on 4th August, A Fish Called Wanda on 10th August and Erin Brockovich on 12th August. For the full programme click here.
COST:
Free unless you choose to hire a deckchair.
WHERE:
Parc de la Perle du Lac, close to the Botanical Gardens.
BRING WITH YOU:
Something comfy to sit or lie on, food and drink, mosquito spray and something warm for late at night and a raincoat.
THE LOCAL OPTION – PLAN LES OUATES
Free of charge, four films are to be screened over the summer in the commune of Plan-les-Ouates; Asterix & Obelix, The Truman Show and Hook. For dates and further information click here.
THE COSY OPTION – VERNIER
The commune of Vernier are showing two open air films in Parc des Libellules on 27th and 28th July. Entry is free. For further information click here.
THE FLOATING OPTION – CINE GITANA, BELLEVUE
For the fifth year running, the commune of Bellevue will be screening films on a floating screen at Port Gitana from the 4th-15th July. Many nights are reserved for World Cup Football, but also four Indiana Jones films will be screened on different nights.
For further information click here.
THE RURAL OPTION – MEINIER
There are four evenings of film on 23, 24 et 25 August at parc du centre inter-générationnel in Meinier. For further information visit their site.
If you know of any other outdoor cinema events being held in Geneva, please do not hesitate to contact us so we can add to this list, contact info@thingstodoingeneva.ch.