Like most European cities, Geneva embraces the holiday season with Christmas markets and holiday-themed events, but one major December festival commemorates something else entirely. The Fête de l'Escalade (Feast of the Scaling) honors the city's victory over Duke Charles Emmanuel of Savoy in 1602, and while it might not be as familiar as the city's Christmas rituals, some residents take it very seriously indeed. As for the name, Escalade refers to the surprise nighttime attack by the Duke's troops, who attempted to "scale" the city's walls with ladders and put the town under the Duke's control. The townspeople fought back mightily and repelled the invaders, maintaining their sovereignty. Now, more than 400 years after the historic event, costumed reenactors participate in a three-hour torchlight parade in the city's old town, while onlookers enjoy a confectionery version of vegetable soup. Why confectionery soup? According to legend, Mère Royaume dispatched of an invading soldier by dumping a cauldron of hot vegetable soup on him from her window. Hey, whatever works. The three-day festival occurs on the weekend closest to December 11, and is convenient to the Hotel President Wilson, Geneva, a member of Starwood's Luxury Collection.
