Guide · Daily life
Good spots in French-speaking Switzerland: groceries, outings and restaurants
A few addresses to live without breaking the bank, and to get out of the routine on weekends - with Geneva as the starting point. A list that grows over time - feel free to suggest your own favorite spots.
Groceries on the French side
Often cheaper than in Switzerland - keep a valid ID and respect customs allowances on the way back.
Val Thoiry
Shopping center (Hyper U, 70 stores) a few minutes from the border.
1401 Rue de la Gare, 01710 Thoiry, France
Visit the website →Ville-la-Grand
Retail area with Carrefour, Leclerc and Super U nearby.
Ville-la-Grand, Haute-Savoie, France
Annecy
For a combined shopping and grocery trip, about 45 min from Geneva.
Annecy, Haute-Savoie, France
Galeries Lafayette
For clothing and homeware.
25 avenue du Parmelan, 74000 Annecy, France
Visit the website →Groceries in Switzerland, by price range
Aldi, Lidl, Denner
The cheapest discounters.
Migros, Coop
Mid-range, the widest choice.
Manor
More upmarket.
Outings and day trips
Le Salève
Cable car and a view over the whole Geneva basin, a few minutes from downtown.
Étrembières, France
Exenevex
Lake Geneva beach on the French side, sandy, family-friendly.
Exenevex, Haute-Savoie, France
Yvoire
Listed medieval village on the shore of Lake Geneva.
Yvoire, Haute-Savoie, France
Gruyères
A full day out: fondue, the Cailler chocolate factory in Broc, a demonstration at the Gruyères cheese dairy.
Gruyères, canton of Fribourg
Bern
The federal capital, an easy day trip from Geneva.
Bern, Switzerland
Lyon - Confluence
Modern district, shopping and architecture, about 2h from Geneva.
Lyon, France
Lyon - Part-Dieu
The largest shopping center in downtown Lyon.
Lyon, France
Eating out in Geneva
La Dula Ibérico
Jamón bar and Iberian grocery, the first of its kind in Geneva.
Rue Michelle Nicod 6, 1202 Geneva
Visit the website →Spinella
Italian restaurant and cocktail bar, near Cornavin station.
Rue Liotard 4, 1201 Geneva
Visit the website →Café de la Limite
The generous, low-key canteen of the Charmilles neighborhood - meat and cheese, since 1945.
Rue des Charmilles 11, 1203 Geneva
Le Gruyérien
Real Swiss fondue, just outside Geneva.
2 rue de Chêne-Bougeries, 1224 Chêne-Bougeries
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