Paradise in Geneva

In spite of its small size, Geneva rivals London and even Paris as a major shopping destination in Europe. Geneva specializes in the finer things in life and though they are not cheap, the range of selections found here is astounding. Window-shopping in this city is practically a national sport, as the variety of items that are offered is astonishing. Most retail stores are open throughout the day although many service shops close between noon and 2pm for lunch. Most stores including grocery stores do not stay open at night and are closed on Sundays, therefore, you have to plan wisely to avoid frustration.

Geneva’s open-air markets give a great alternative to the expensive galaxy called retail which also gives you a chance to mingle with the locals. Bargaining is generally appropriate for non-food items if done with a smile. Outdoor shopping centers here like Plaine de Plainpalais, which is the largest outdoor flea market in Geneva, is where locals go to hawk their old and often valuable merchandise like paintings, records, dish sets, antiques or vintage clothing. Plaine de Plainpalais is open on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sunday. Another shopping paradise is the Boulevard Helvetique, an outdoor farmers market overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers. This produce haven is open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings when fresh produce are coming in. Place du Molard is the daily flower market and the place to shop for the most fragrant and beautiful blooms in all of Geneva. Meanwhile, Place de la Fusterie is where you can find regional handicrafts from the provinces of Switzerland and France. While it is interesting to visit and look at the crafts, Place de la Fusterie is only open on Thursdays. A seasonal market is the Place de la Madeleine. It is a clothes and book market that opens daily during spring and summer.

Aside from open-air markets, the streets of Geneva are also crawling with goods. Rue des Grottes is a popular farmers market which opens on Thursdays only. Meanwhile, Halles de Rive is a food market that features gourmet Swiss, French and Italian specialties. Place du Marche - Friendly, a local market in Carouge's largest public square, is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays only.
The watch industry in Switzerland dates back to mid 1600's and Geneva remains a world leader among the many top watchmaking industries in the world. Some of the most popular brands made in Switzerland include Patek Phillipe, Frank Muller, Swatch, Omega and Piaget just to name a few.
Don't expect the price to be cheap, because it is very expensive but the quality is topnotch and the best in the industry.

Fashion is king in Geneva and there is no shortage of places to check out the latest finds from the world's top fashion houses. Visit one of many the clothing boutiques in the city for a unique item or head to Plainpalais or the Paquis for second hand retro wear. Antique dealers also abound in this crossroad of Europe with many spectacular pieces originating from 19th century France. The Plaine de Plainpalais flea market has some of the best finds, while the Old Town is stocked with top of the line examples of European craftsmanship.

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