The Jet d’Eau (‘water stream‘) is the 140 m (459 ft) high fountain in Lake Geneva. It’s located just in front of the promenades of Geneva, and is the key part of the city’s skyline. The fountain dates back to 1886, but actually it wasn’t meant to be a fountain from the beginning. It was a technical necessity, only created to release pressure from a water station. When it started attracting visitors, it was moved to a better location and a powerful pump was installed. Today, the water emerges from the nozzle with a speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). source
Why is it unusual? Well from this perspective it looks as though it is taller than Mount Salève (?) in the background! And it is (I believe) the tallest fountain in the world.
If you’d like to join in with the fountain challenge then please pop over to Polianthus for the rules
This month she is looking for unusual details on fountains/unusual fountains. I’m sure she would love to see you.
Earth laughs in flowers 
Wow! I noticed the buildings in the background in comparison to the fountain height before I read your post. That has got to be a hugh water pump.
Wow I don’t suppose one would wan to mistakenly kayak too near it! I love the fact that it was born out of necessity and then became an art/attraction piece later.
You can get a bit wet if you are in the wrong place when the wind blows!
Wow, the water jet on that fountain is quite something, and about 3 times higher than ‘Old Faithful’s’ jet of steam. Amazing!
I love this story! If anyone had suggested this at the beginning of their planning, I’m guessing everyone would have laughed. Love these happy *accidents*!
Crikey, amazing!
You have created quite an illusion here, very deceptive size!
Great example of repurposing!
I think this is a great fountain (didn’t know the story behind it) and always reminds me of The Champions (do you remember that tv programme?). Most recently I have seen it as we flew into Geneva airport at the end of last month – it looks impressive from the air too.
I first saw this when I went to work in Geneva as an au pair aged 18. Such a long time ago and yet I remember it as if it were yesterday.
Surely no more than ten years ago… 🙂
Hahaha…
That’s a cracker of a shot. Funny, I’m reading a rather odd Paulo Coelho novel, Adultery, which is set in Geneva and the ‘heroine’ reckons it’s a seriously boring place. Comments, please? 🙂
🙂 comments on boring? I spent every summer in geneva as a teenager – lovely lake, french joie de vivre, very cosmopolitan city, pretty squares and gardens and old town, might attract a middle aged set more than A young party goer though…. Jude lived there as an adult – curious about her insights…Poli
I’d love to see it for myself but there’s no chance. Constantly jealous 🙂
Geneva when I was 18 was a great place, some wonderful ‘underground’ bars and music in the Old Town. And the lakeside is beautiful. On returning a few years ago I found I liked it even more – terribly expensive – but the Old Town is still beautiful, transport is good, boat trips on the lake, train to towns on the lake easy to do, walking, closeness to the mountains, the flea market in Plainpalais, Carouge and its Italian feel with lots of hidden courtyards and fountains in the squares. Boring? I don’t think so.
I was sceptical! Depends on your definition, of course, but it’s not mine. 🙂 Mick was there for a couple of days a long long time ago. A conference/educational thing or some such. All I heard from him was the wonderful food!
More or less where I learned to cook more adventurous dishes. I worked for an Italian and had to cook dinner every day – never even heard of fennel or artichoke let alone cook it!
Eek! At that age I struggled to use a tin opener. I still bear the scar from a reluctant tin of roast pork. 🙂
Fortunately I was already a decent cook, helped in the kitchen from being a tiny tot – and I’d been cooking dinners for the family since I was 14, but the usual meat and two veg stuff. My family weren’t very adventurous other than curry! Ox-tail and stuffed brain were quite a step up though!
No stuffed brain for me when I come a-visiting, thank you kindly 🙂 You’ll have your homegrown beetroot by then 🙂
Hey jude – great shot, great story . I knew this was the one – famous fountain!!!! But i didnt remember the story, although i must have heard it in the past. Remember the flower clock close to the fountain? Poli
Ah, yes, the flower clock – that will feature in my garden challenge at some point 😀
very good, I look forward to seeing it!