13 best things to do in Geneva on the lake Geneva, Switzerland
13 best things to do in Geneva
on the lake Geneva, Switzerland
We’ll tell you about our trip throughout Switzerland in this piece, which includes our visit to the lakeside city of Geneva. The views of the lake, the city, and the other attractions were all quite pleasing to us. We had a pleasant time discovering such a lovely city on a sunny April day.
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Table of Contents
Our itinerary from Switzerland written in separate articles from this one: Zurich; Lucerne-Lungern; Interlaken-Lauterbrunnen-Grindelwald; Iseltwald-Spiez-Sarnen; Geneva; Lausanne; Bern; Basel. Discover more of Switzerland with us!
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Stay with us to learn how much you should budget, where you may stay based on your spending limit, where to eat and shop, and how to get here by bus, rail, or automobile. We also provide you with some insightful tips on how to save a lot of money. We are aware! Although Switzerland is a pricey country, genuine adventurers who enjoy saving money can always discover ways to do so!
Informations
Geneva is the most populous city in Romandy, the French-speaking region of Switzerland, and the second most populated city overall in Switzerland, behind Zurich. It is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, and it is located in the southwest of the nation, where the Rhône empties into Lake Geneva.
Quick Tips
When to travel: Peak tourist months are from May to July, but one can take a trip to Switzerland in any season, depending on their interests.
Language: The official languages are German, Italian, French.
Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) 1$ =0,9 CHF 1€=1,1 CHF
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=23 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=92 EUR
In addition, you can find more information about the visa here.
Notice: Several of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you click over and make a purchase, I will get a commission at no extra cost to you. Here is a link to our complete affiliate disclosure.
Things to do
Jet d'Eau Lake Geneva
One of Geneva, Switzerland’s most well-known sights, the Jet d’Eau (pronounced, Water-Jet), is a massive fountain that is featured on both the official tourism website of the city and the official emblem for Geneva’s hosting of group stage matches at UEFA Euro 2008. Located at the point where Lake Geneva empties into the Rhône, it is visible from the air as well as from all of the city, even at 10 kilometers (33,000 feet) above ground.Two 500 kW pumps running at 2,400 V shoot 500 liters (130 US gal) of water every second to a height of 140 meters (460 ft). This process costs 510,000 CHF a year and uses one megawatt of power.The water shoots out of the 4-inch (10-centimeter) nozzle at 200 km/h (55 m/s). There are roughly 7,000 L (1,800 US gal) of water in the atmosphere at any given time. A little shift in wind direction can leave unsuspecting visitors to the fountain, accessible from the left bank of the lake by a stone pier, astonished to find themselves drenched.
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St. Peter's Cathedral
The main church of the Geneva Reformed Protestant Church is Saint Pierre Cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland. It was formerly a Roman Catholic cathedral until 1535, when it was transformed. John Calvin, one of the pioneers of the Protestant Reformation, is credited with adopting this church as his own. Calvin uses a wooden chair inside the church.A contemporary, interpretive, and easily accessible archeological site beneath the cathedral houses the burial of an Allobrogian chieftain from the first century BC. Control over the Rhône’s inland navigation was made possible by the construction of an oppidum atop Saint-Pierre hill.Geneva was designated as the seat of a bishopric in the fourth century CE. On the hilltop (between 350 and 375), a first Christian structure was constructed over the remains of the Roman sanctuary. A southern cathedral, a second baptistry, and an atrium soon joined this “northern cathedral” and its original baptistry.
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League of Nations Palace
The Palais des Nations is a collection of buildings situated in Ariana Park in Geneva, Switzerland. Constructed between 1929 and 1938, it served as the headquarters of the League of Nations from 1933 until its dissolution in 1946. The League of Nations was headquartered in Geneva’s Palais Wilson from its founding in 1920 until its relocation to the Palais des Nations. The League of Nations remained headquartered there until 1936 and is currently home to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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Art and History Museum
The biggest art museum in Geneva, Switzerland is called the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire. The structure The museum is situated where the old fortress ring formerly stood in Les Tranchées, in the heart of the city. Between 1903 and 1910, the architect Marc Camoletti constructed it, with funding provided by a bequest from financier Charles Galland (1816–1901).The structure is square, with sides of 60 meters (200 feet) around an internal courtyard. With roof lanterns on the top floor, it boasts four stories and 7,000 square meters (75,000 square feet) of display area overall.Paul Amlehn created the sculptures that adorn the façade. An allegory of the arts, representing painting, sculpture, drawing, and architecture, is affixed to the triangular gable above the entrance, and two additional allegories, representing applied art and archaeology, are situated in the building’s left and right corners, respectively. Dassier, Baud-Bovy, Saint-Ours, Agasse, Töpffer, Liotard, Calame, Diday, Menn, Petitot, Arlaud, and Pradier are among the artists from Geneva whose names are listed on the upper frieze.
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Bains des Pâquis
At the peak of the Pâquis neighborhood, on the breakwater on the right bank of Lake Geneva, which guards the harbor of Geneva, is a public swimming pool called the Bains des Pâquis. The Geneva Rescue Service and the Association of Users of Bains des Pâquis (AUBP) have their headquarters there. With views over the city of Geneva, Lake Geneva, and the Jet d’eau, they are a well-liked spot for Geneva residents to go for walks and for public events throughout the year.In 1872, the first wooden Bains des Pâquis were constructed on the jetty on the right bank, or inner side, of Geneva’s harbor. They were designated as municipal baths in 1890.
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Musée Ariana
The Ariana Museum is a museum dedicated to Swiss glass and ceramics that is situated in the same-named park in Geneva.Nearby, on the location of the museum’s original lawn, lies the Palais des Nations, the headquarters of the United Nations Office in Geneva.The architects Émile Grobéty and Jacques-Élysée Goss (de) constructed a private museum for collector and patron Gustave Revilliod between 1877 and 18841 to hold his personal collections, which included pottery, paintings, sculptures, coins, and other artifacts. Gustave Revilliod left the museum and the property on which it was constructed to the City of Geneva and its residents in his will from 1890.When he passed away, the City of Geneva’s authorities gratefully received his legacy, which was valued at over 5 million francs at the time.
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Patek Philippe Museum
The tour leader had a passionate speech about vintage watches and the surrounding culture. She helped us comprehend the rationale behind the timepieces’ design. For instance, the purpose of the salt box was to keep girls from passing out while wearing corsets, and the purpose of the touch watch was to appear courteous even when you knew the time at a tedious meeting. She also observed the watchfaces’ typefaces. We were also fortunate to visit a pricey temporary show of Tulips. It was reported that one of them was worth half the museum’s total value.
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L'Horloge Fleurie Jardin Anglais
The flower clock, also known as L’horloge fleurie, is an outdoor floral clock situated in Geneva, Switzerland’s Jardin Anglais park on the western side. The clock face is made of about 6,500 shrubs and floral plants. As the seasons change, so do the plants.In 1955, the clock was made to represent the city’s watchmakers and their commitment to the natural world. At 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), its second hand is the longest in the world. With a diameter of 5 meters (16 feet), it was the biggest floral clock in the world until a 15-meter (49-foot) one was installed in Tehran, Iran, in 2005.
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Conservatoire et Jardin Botanique
a stunning botanical garden featuring a variety of plants from across the continent. The greenhouse is amazing—it exudes life and is like its own Eden. If you are with little children, you can stroll through the park, take a break on the benches, and enjoy whatever is being served at the closest restaurant that has a children’s play area close by. Bring your picnic supplies and enjoy the park with a seat and a view of the lake on a lovely, bright day. Alternatively, relax in the garden with a nice beverage and some nibbles while reading your favorite books or doing whatever else you feel like doing. I promise you that there are some peacocks and I’ll make sure you have a chance to see them.
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Brunswick Monument
In honor of Charles II, Duke of Brunswick (1804–1873), a mausoleum known as the Brunswick Monument was constructed in Geneva, Switzerland’s Jardin des Alpes in 1879. He left the city of Geneva his money in return for the construction of a monument in his honor, requesting that it be an exact reproduction of the Scaliger Tombs in Verona, Italy. With the heritage in mind, the Grand Théâtre de Genève was constructed and opened its doors in 1879.Charles left his entire estate to the city of Geneva in his will, which was prepared on March 5, 1871, with one specific request: that a mausoleum be constructed for him in Geneva “in an honored position and worthy,” with statues of his father, Frederick William, and grandfather, Charles William Ferdinand, and that it be designed in the manner of Verona’s Scaliger Tombs from the 14th century. As a result, Swiss architect Jean Franel selected a design. Located on the Quai du Mont-Blanc, it is a three-story white marble structure with a hexagonal canopy above a coffin and holds the duke’s reclining figure.
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Place du Bourg-de-Four
The Bourg-de-Four is a location in the historic Swiss city of Genève. Once the site of marketplaces and foires, it is now a popular tourist destination.The location is on a delineation between the Tranchées plateau, the Colline’s summit, and the point where the sentiers of the Lac’s left bank and the Arve delta merge. In contrast with most locations, the Bourg-de-Four has a spacious central area that resembles a sablier. The intimidating Palais de Justice dominates the north side, which eventually splits into two streets (the Fontaine and Verdaine streets), with the Luthérienne Church situated between them.
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Basilica Notre-Dame
Located in Geneva, Switzerland, the Basilica of Notre Dame of Geneva is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica. It bears the Blessed Virgin Mary’s dedication. The statue of Our Lady of Geneva, made of white Carrara marble, was given as a gift by Pope Pius IX in 1859. On April 26, 1936, Pope Pius XI issued a decree of pontifical consecration for the image.Later, on August 4, 1954, Pope Pius XII issued the pontifical decree Nominis Catholici, elevating the shrine to the rank of minor basilica. When traveling to Santiago de Compostela, travelers frequently make a stop at the shrine.Starting at the basilica, the “via Gebennensis” runs from Le Puy-en-Velay to the via Podiensis. La Nuntia Pacis, or “Messenger of Peace,” is its motto.
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Russian Church
The Russian Church in Geneva, Switzerland is a historically significant Russian Orthodox church known as the Cathédrale de l’Exaltation de la Sainte Croix, or Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Funds for the church’s construction were donated in 1863 by Grand Duchess Anna Fyodorovna, who lived in Bern and Geneva after deciding to split from Grand Duke Constantine. It was finished in the posh Les Tranchées suburb of Geneva in 1866 and designed by David Grimm of the Imperial Academy of Arts. In 1966, the Russian renaissance cathedral was restored, revealing its gold onion domes and Byzantine striped arches.The church is still in use today.
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Book your perfect vacation!
Vacations: We are happy that we have the opportunity to work with the most famous companies in the world, we always order our vacations from these companies and we have never been disappointed: Check 24, Trivago, Trafalgar, TravelUp, Insight Vacations, Explorer Fernreisen.
Where to stay
Hotels, bed & breakfasts, and guesthouses, regardless of location—in the center of town, close to a lake, or amid natural surroundings. We were able to identify the top companies providing the best hotels: Booking.com, Trip.com, TravelUp, esky, Hoteltopia, Millennium Hotels and Explorer Fernreisen.
Where to eat
Traditional fare: pasta, cheese, potatoes, onions, and sour cream combine to make Alplermagronen. One of the most well-known dishes from Swiss cuisine is rosti, along with fondue and raclette. Every city has a unique variation. The name of this potato cake comes from the Bernese dialect, where the word “rosti” denotes any type of roast cuisine. Fillet de perch à la Muniére: One of Geneva’s most well-liked delicacies is perch. There are other ways to cook it, but the miller’s process of flouring and browning in butter is the only one that is considered authentic.
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Papet vaudois: A stew of potatoes and leeks is served with the sausage. Although it is customary to serve longeole with boiled potatoes and lentils on the side, the dish is typically cooked with flavorful pig sausage and served with gratin thistles. Since it is a true delicacy, many restaurants offer it on their menu. In Switzerland, the longest and tastiest sausage is the longeole. This dish, which is most famous for its Kirsh cake from Zug, is made by soaking a cookie in kirsh, or cherry liqueur, and then arranging it into two extremely crumbly disks. Crispy fried balls stuffed with cheese are called malakoff. frequently served with boiled or fried potatoes on the side.
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Café Papon serves European food. This café-restaurant is located close to the Town Hall, in the center of the Old Town. Every few weeks, the menus change and feature seasonal, local produce. Attracting local office workers are the reasonably priced set menu of the day and the peaceful, sunny outdoor patio that opens onto a verdant promenade with views of the charming Bastions park. Make reservations in advance to sit outside. Avec ma Cousine For one very affordable sum, Chez Ma Cousine provides you half of a scrumptious spit-roasted chicken together with Provençal potatoes, dressed salad, and a delectable sauce. There are a few salads and other options on the small menu, but the food is mostly chicken-based.
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The Buvette des Bains serves Swiss food. Open all year round, it’s just as well-liked for a hearty fondue in the summer as it is for breakfast on the large outside patio. Simple and reasonably priced salads, soups, and charcuterie are available on the menu, along with a daily meal that has a fixed price. Hair salon For a short lunch, the menu of salads, club sandwiches, steak tartar, and burgers is suitable, but it’s better to visit in the evenings when you have time to try the cleverly titled cocktails. L’Apothicaire Cocktail Club is located next door, so you could spend a night out hopping between the two.
Saving Tips
With the Swiss Travel Pass, you can travel freely by public transportation (train, bus, and boat) to see over 41 cities, climb the top of numerous mountains, and cruise around stunning lakes throughout Switzerland. If you choose not to rent a car or do not bring a car with you to Switzerland, this is, in our opinion, the greatest method to save costs on transportation. Simply look up the costs of train and bus tickets to see that purchasing them separately for each new location would be more costly than using the Swiss Travel Pass.
Free Ticket: Upon arriving in Geneva by air, you can pick up a complimentary 80-minute Unireso ticket at the airport for use on public transportation within Zone 10- Tout Geneve, which encompasses the airport and the majority of the city’s hotels. The baggage claim area is where you can find the free ticket machine. Should you be subject to control by the ticket inspection, you will be required to present a valid airline ticket. No-cost Transportation Pass You can get a free, non-transferable Geneva Transport Card if you stay in a hotel, youth hostel, or campground. With this card, you can utilize Geneva’s public transportation system for the duration of your stay at no cost. This covers railroads, trams, buses, and yellow Mouettes are taxiboats. Simply request it when you arrive at the reception. At the airport, a complimentary ticket Use the free 80-minute tickets that are provided to all passengers at the airport to go from the Geneva Airport to your accommodation.
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Tips for low-cost travel
On Saturdays and Sundays, a “full price” day pass is valid for two people travelling together!
The CFF “Junior” pass (CHF 30 per year) or “accompanied child” pass enables a child aged between 6 and 16 to travel free of charge with one parent. This pass is also valid across the unireso network.
Free Sights
Many of Geneva’s major museums, including Maison Tavel and the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire allow free entrance and charge only for temporary exhibits. Others offer free admission on a certain day of the month (check museum sites when planning your visit). Still others, like the Musée de Carouge and the Natural History Museum are free at all times.
Many of the city’s best-known attractions, like the iconic Jet d’ eau and the Catheédrale Saint-Pierre can be visited gratis. Also free are the city’s many gardens and public spaces, including the lush Jardin Anglais (home to the fragrant and famous floral clock) and the waterfront Quai du Mont-Blanc.
There’s also a Geneva City Pass that you can purchase for 1, 2 or 3 days. It includes free public transport and free or discounted attractions:
Book your tours!
Tours: If you do not go by car and need to know more information about the tours, and things to see, we recommend these companies that are offering tours for any kind of activity you want to do and where you can buy trips much cheaper than if you buy them when you arrive at your destination. It is always good to be able to save some money!
Viator, Get Your Guide, Tiqets, City Sightseeing, Sesame, Sightseeing Pass, Contiki, Riviera Travel, CityPass: the best activities in town!
Shopping
Most retail stores are open throughout the day, however many service shops close for lunch between 12:00 and 14:00 during the week. Most stores, including grocery stores, do not stay open past 19:00 on weekdays, past 18:00 on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays, so plan wisely to avoid frustration.
Shops open on Sunday
Open Monday-Sunday are Migros at the Airport and Migros at Gare Cornavin . Smaller selection of foods and groceries is to be found at Migrolino’s gas stations. If You want to do a serious shopping on Sunday, head to French towns across the borders such as Annemasse, Thoiry or Ferney-Voltaire, where supermarkets stay open on Sunday until 12h00.
Watches
Geneva’s watch industry dates back to mid 1600’s and Geneva remains a world leader with many top brand watchmakers located right in the city: Expace Temps, Bucherer, Franck Muller, Patek Phillippe, Swatch, Piaget, Gallopin, Orfeo by Christ, Zbinden.
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Chocolate
Geneva is a chocolate lover’s paradise. You need only skip off to the local grocery store to find a delectable assortment of Swiss morsels. For the ultimate experience check out one of the many decorative specialty shops featuring everything from truffles to chocolate stuffed pastries and fruits: Auer- Famous for almond chocolate, Coop City, Christian Constant,Arn Chocolatierie, Cartier Patisserie Confiserie Chocolaterie, Rohr.
Souvenir Shops: Bucherer, Cadho,Badec S.A., Consul,Molard Souvenirs.
Clothing – Fashion is king in Geneva and there is no shortage of places to check out the latest threads from around the world. Stop into one of many the clothing boutiques in the city center for a one of a kind piece or head to Plainpalais or the Paquis for second hand retro wear.
Bon Génie – 7 floors of fancy fashionable clothes of high aspiration.
Shopping Streets and Areas: City Center, Rue du Mont Blanc, The Old Town , Rue des Paquis.
Department Stores and Malls: Centre Balexert, Manor Department Store, Confederation Centre Shopping Mall, Globus Department Store, Planete Charmilles
Transport
Geneva Public Transport network is named UNIRESO. It is an interconnected system of trams, buses (TPG), mouettes (yello transport boats) and trains (CFF) in a city of Geneva. The whole system use the same tickets:
Léman Express – CEVA
From 15 December 2019, the Léman Express will operate on the new CEVA line (Cornavin–Eaux-Vives–Annemasse line) connecting 45 stations across a distance of 230 km. UNIRESO tickets and passes are valid, except to and from Bellegarde.
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RER
The regional express network (RER) serves the surrounding municipalities, in particular on the northern shore, from Versoix to la Plaine, with a “Tout Genève” unireso travel ticket.
CFF lines
Outside the regional network, the train offers a quick means of travel between Geneva and other Swiss cities. The City of Geneva provides its inhabitants with CFF day passes at reduced rates.
Buses and trams
A large number of bus and tram lines managed by Transports publics genevois (TPG) allow users to travel around the entire territory.
Noctambus
On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Noctambus service operates between the city centre and the surrounding areas from midnight to 5 a.m.
Book your transport!
- when it comes to buses, Busbud is the best choice.
- when I want to travel by train, I choose Omio.
Rent a car!
Here you can find the best offers to rent the right car for you, as well as parking right in the airport: esky, Explorer, Centauro and intui.travel.
Getting here
Geneva airport, located 4 kilometers from the city is easily reachable by public transport: train and bus; taxi or shuttle. Train journey between the Airport and central railway station in the city (Gare Cornavin) takes 6 minutes, bus to downtown takes about 20 minutes. Gare Cornavin is then a hub for public transport, from where you can catch a tram or train anywhere.
Regular Ticket: You can use single UNIRESO Zone 10 ticket to get to/from the Airport, valid also for a train! Ticket costs for 60 minute journey is CHF 3.00, as Geneva Airport still belongs to Zone 10.
Train: Train departures every 12 to 20 minutes from the Geneva Airport to Gare Cornavin Central Railway Station (and vice versa). One way takes 6 minutes. From Gare Cornavin You can catch a bus/tram practically anywhere.
First train from Geneva to GVA Airport goes at 4:43 am and the last one at 0:07.
First train from GVA Airport to Geneva goes at 5:07 and last train goes at 0:51.
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Bus: City buses connecting Airport with Geneva stop at the Geneva Airport every 9 to 15 minutes. Buses are good option is you cannot take a train. Buses 5 and 10 will drive you to Gare Routiere train station or Bel-Air in 12 – 18 minutes.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) also offers relatively easy access to the city as well. For most passengers arriving at Zürich, taking the train or driving will probably be a faster and cheaper option than catching a connecting flight to Geneva Airport. Zurich You can also fly to Basel or Bern.
Getting to Geneva by train
It’s easy to get to Geneva from major Swiss and European cities thanks to the high-speed rail infrastructure in central and Western Europe. Below you’ll find some of the most popular routes to Geneva, including journey times and train operating companies.
London to Geneva 6h 34m Eurostar, TGV Lyria
Paris to Geneva 3h 11m TGV Lyria
Zurich to Geneva 2h 44m SBB
Milan to Geneva 4h 01m Eurocity
Lyon to Geneva 1h 57 m SNCF, TGV Lyria
Lausanne to Geneva 36 m SBB
Annecy to Geneva 1h 28m SNCF
Geneva is located at the intersection of major highways allowing for fast traveling times to other parts of Switzerland and nearby France. Autoroute A1 runs from Genève past Geneva Airport, Nyon, Lausanne, Bern, Zurich, and beyond. Bus companies offer bus trips to Zurich. With Busbud you travel cheaply from Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Milan, Turin, Rome, Vienna, Paris, Zagreb, Bratislava, Prague and other cities to Geneva.
Book tour Flights!
If you have not found your desired flight, or you simply want more flight options to find the best and cheapest, we will help you with the best flight plans, where you will definitely find what you are looking for. With just one click you will find the cheapest flights to a wonderful destination!
Book your Cruise!
Here you can find the best offers for luxury cruises, or cheap cruise offers. We went on a cruise in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman and we can only recommend this unforgettable experience, not just here, but around the world!
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a type of insurance designed to cover the costs and losses associated with traveling. It serves as a safeguard for travelers in case of unexpected events. Here are the main types and key components of travel insurance: Trip Cancellation,Medical Insurance,Baggage Insurance, Travel Delay Insurance, Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance, Accidental Death , Rental Car Insurance:
Order your Luggage!
Choosing the right travel luggage can make your journey more comfortable and hassle-free. Here are the best offers to help you select the best travel luggage for your needs:
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