Join us for a tour of this historical cemetery. Meet 10:00
Tour is in French with an English translator.
Chemin de l'Arvaz 16, 1255 Veyrier France
There is parking At the cemetery or you can take bus 8 from Rive at 9:34 to Veyrier Village were it is an easy 4 minute walk to the cemetery.
Option for lunch after the tour
Please register
For more information or questions contact Sara at aiwcevents@gmail.com
The Jewish cemetery of Veyrier was founded on July 16, 1920. What makes it truly exceptional is its geography: although it is known as a Geneva cemetery, most of the grounds actually lie across the border, in the French commune of Étrembières. The frontier line between Switzerland and France literally cuts through the cemetery, making it unique in the world.
The Oratory, Built in 1930
Ten years after the first burial plots were acquired, the Jewish Community of Geneva entrusted the architect Julien Flegenheimer with the task of designing an Oratory and funeral center on the Swiss side of the grounds.
Since 1981, the Oratory has been illuminated by a monumental stained-glass window, created in glass slabs by the artist Régine Heïm, illustrating the Book of Genesis. In 2001, its facades were further enhanced with luminous Jerusalem stone, bringing a touch of the Holy City to this quiet resting place.
A Place of Passage
The unusual location of the cemetery also gave it a remarkable role in history. During the Second World War, its position on the border made it a discreet crossing point for those fleeing Nazism and seeking safety in Switzerland. Later, in the years just before the founding of the State of Israel, it became a favored route for would-be emigrants making their clandestine way toward Palestine.