Shopping

Image by Lorcan Meyfarth

You might ask yourself why there is this huge deserted place, in the heart of the city. Historically, it was the place sick people were brought to – strategically located outside the city to avoid any epidemic.

But thanks to modern medicine, it is nowadays used for episodic events, like when circuses are in town, or a Luna Park twice a year.

I won’t be able to give you tips on these, as I’m afraid of clowns and really not keen on ghost trains! The only times I stop on the plaine would be for its Flea Market. It’s not Rome’s Porta Portese, but on Wednesdays and Saturdays, rainy or windy, you’ll find a good number of stands, forming a walking tour around the plaine, selling almost anything, from old CDs or DVDs – and many old VHS to be honest… – to dubious 80s furniture.

The classic 1 CHF-a-thing boxes are always fun to search, as well as trying to find an interesting thing in those CHF 2.00 books you’ll find by dozens in every stand.

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Plaine de Plainpalais | Shopping
Plaine de Plainpalais | Plainpalais
Wed & Sat until early afternoon

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Image by Sylvie Meynier

I end up in that shop almost each time I need a present and I don’t know what to buy. They have the most original objects and they also have very nice toys for kids.

If you are looking for something unusual to decorate your house, then this is the place to go. They have everything for the kitchen, bathroom, living-room and bedroom! They also have a great variety of spices and teas and items for the garden.

I love the Pylones brand and I usually also end up buying something for myself when I go there, which might be the dangerous part! I also often end up buying a bunch of postcards that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else.

They have three shops, two opposite each other in Carouge and one in Eaux-Vives. They are all great to visit as they often renew or exchange their items, so all three will have something different to offer if you go on the same day. (In Carouge: Rue Saint-Joseph 2 – in Eaux-Vives: Rue de la Terrassière 13)

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L’Envie de | Shopping
Rue St- Joseph 2 | Carouge | +41223016858
Mon 12:00 – 18:30, Tue – Fri 10:00 – 18:30, Sat 10:00 – 17:30

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Image by Sylvie Meynier

Les Recyclables is a restaurant, a bookstore and place for concerts.

I usually go there for dinner when there is a concert going on as it’s mostly Central or South American musicians, which I love.

The menu is usually simple, which not too many options as they use fresh products from the season. But it’s always healthy and there is always a vegetarian option.

I don’t really use the bookstore but I find the concept great, I think we should have more places like this in Geneva: enjoy a coffee while choosing a book! They have quite a large amount of second-hand books to choose from.

They are all about fair-trade and sustainable development, which is another reason to hang out there and support them. They also exchange your old books for others, or for a coffee/cake at the café. It’s what they call ‘cultural recycling’, which I personally find fantastic.

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Les Recyclables | Bars, Music, Shopping, Restaurants (Intern.)
53, rue de Carouge | Plainpalais | +41223282373
Shop Mon – Fri 09:00 – 18:30, Sat 11:00 – 17:00 | Restaurant Mon – Sat 07:30 – 20:30

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Image by Delphine Rieder

Les halles de Rive are a great place to buy food. It is a little expensive, but the prices equal the quality.

La Halle de Rive is located at the beginning of les rues basses at Rive where everyone goes for shopping. It is divided in several stands, where you can either buy meat, sushis, fish, Asian food, cheese, wine, vegetables, flowers, cakes and drinks as well thanks to the bar.

At lunch, people who work nearby go there to get a good meal and eat it by the lake (during summer) or in the English Garden, located a couple of minutes from the spot. I am very found of the fresh pastas, with tomato sauce and cheese that you can take away for only CHF 10.-. Awesome!

People are always nice and helpful, and on Saturday morning, it is usually full of people, because the market takes place next to it. You will definitely be hungry while entering it!

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La Halle de Rive | Shopping, Snacks | Sushis CHF 15.00
Boulevard Hélvétique 29 | Eaux-Vives
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 18:00

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Image by Delphine Rieder

L’Adresse is a nice restaurant, which became quite fashionable. It is divided into two parts: a shop where you can find nice clothes and a restaurant and is located in the Eaux-Vives, near the lake.

During the summer, there is a nice terrace outside, which is on the rooftop.

At lunch, you will be able to see the shop; at night it’s closed. The food is quite expensive but it is a great place to go especially at lunch, since the plat du jour is less than CHF 20.-.

They have very original meals and very good bottles of wine. The carpaccio is excellent and the pastas definitely have to be tasted!

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L’Adresse | Shopping, Restaurants (French) | Dinner CHF 30.00
Rue du 31 décembre 32 | Eaux-Vives | +41227363232
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 14:00 & 18:00 – 00:00

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