More Than Just a Pot of Soup Every Genevan knows the story of the Escalade. On a frigid December night in 1602, the Duke of Savoy’s commandos scaled the city walls in a surprise attack. Legend paints a simple, heroic picture: a brave citizenry roused from sleep, fighting back with whatever they could grab. The most enduring image is of Catherine Royaume, the "Mère Royaume," heaving a cauldron onto the invaders' heads. It's a powerful story. But...

A tense summer in Geneva Today, we revisit a significant episode in Geneva's history, which took place exactly 423 years ago, on July 7, 1602. At that time, Geneva was in the midst of extreme tensions with Savoy, on the eve of the Escalade. On that day, after dinner, four horsemen from the Bonne garrison entered the house of Gabriel de La Mer, an apothecary based in Cologny, on Geneva's franchise territory. Citing retaliation, they forcibly...

Geneva's military organization at the time of the Escalade battle In 1602, the city's defense is the main concern of its leaders. The military organization, which had been thoroughly revised in 1574, is based on a bourgeois militia divided into four regiments corresponding to the city's former districts: Bourg-de-Four, Saint-Gervais, Neuve and Rive. Each regiment is commanded by a colonel (chosen from among the syndics) and a lieutenant-colonel...

In Geneva: 1602, every place, event and character is inspired by historical sources. This commitment to realism doesn't even spare the game's protagonist, who called himself captain La Rudesse. Bernardin Monneret - for that was his real name - was a Savoyard spy who played a major role in the preparations for the Escalade battle. Although archives offer limited information about him, they reveal fascinating fragments that have helped build his...

Today, December 12nd, we celebrate the Escalade! However, the famous battle took place on the night of December 21st to 22nd... This confusion of dates is explained by the switch from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. However, the longest night of the year had already passed - it was December 16! When the new calendar was adopted, it was decided to keep this symbolic date to celebrate this victory. What about the pot full of soup...

Hello everyone! As some of you may know, three years ago I decided to develop my dream project: a video game that aims to transport you four centuries back in time, in the shoes of a spy tasked with preparing the Escalade Battle. A lot has happened since then, which is why I wanted to share with you the latest advancements of the project and offer you to support Geneva: 1602! But first, the trailer! 🎥 Before I tell you more, check out the...