Geneva Destination Guide

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Shopping
Guide to Shopping in Geneva

Geneva is famous for a number of Swiss produced products - such as penknives, chocolate and watches. It also has eclectic shops and retail outlets that reflect the diversity of a city that boasts more than 157 nationalities amongst its 400,000 citizens. If you are visiting Geneva on a shopping trip, be warned that some shops close on public holidays.

Where to Shop

Best Areas
The old town is the place to go for antique shops, art galleries and bistros, while the more cosmopolitan Saint-Gervais and Pâquis areas offer art galleries and valuable antiques. For cutting edge fashion, haute couture and designer jewellery head for the Rues Basses, made up of the chic Rue du Rhône, Rue de la Confédération, Rue du Marché, and Rue de la Croix-d'Or.

Shopping centres
Shopping centres and malls in Geneva include Balexert (Avenue Louis-Casai 27), Carouge (Avenue Cardinal-Mermillod 36) with its high fashion outlets and Les Cygnes (Rue de Lausanne 16).

The big name department stores include Bon Genie (Rue de Marche 34), Globus-Grand Passage (Rue de Rhone 48) and La Placette (Rue Cornavin 6).

Markets
Geneva has a large selection of local outdoor markets. Daily markets include the flower market, centered on the Place du Molard, and the clothing and book market on Place de la Madeleine. For fruit and vegetables head for the Plaine de Plainpalais, open for business on Tuesday and Friday mornings. You'll find a flea market on the same ground on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

What to Buy

As almost everywhere in Switzerland, watches are a good buy in Geneva. There is a Rolex outlet at Rue de la Fontaine 3 and a Swatch Store at Rue de Marche 8. Jewellers include Cartier at 35 Rue de Rhone.

If you're looking for really top quality Swiss craftsmanship, look no further than Bucherer, Switzerland's leading jewellers. The shop on Quai Général Guisan sells everything the discerning tourist could desire for the perfect souvenir of Switzerland - including designer watches, jewellery and all manner of fine gifts. Click this link or the voucher tag for an exclusive offer of a free gift when you visit.

High quality penknives are also a popular souvenir. Victorinox ("the Original") and Werber ("the Genuine") are the two brands that have served as official maker of pocket knives for the Swiss Army for over a hundred years.

Switzerland's next most famous export, chocolate, can be found on sale at numerous confectioners or shops all over the city, but for the ultimate chocolate experience head to an intimate chocolaterie such as La Chocolaterie Rohr (rue du Rhone and Place du Molard), which re-opened its doors in 1996.

Opening Hours

Shops in Geneva open from 09h00-18h30 Mon-Wed and 09h00-19h30 Fri. Late night shopping is on Thursdays, when stores are open until 21h00. Saturday opening is 09h00-18h00 and shops are closed on Sundays.

Tax Refund

Foreign visitors spending more than CHF400 on goods from shops displaying the Tax-free Shopping sign are entitled to claim the VAT back. Make sure you remember to collect an appropriate form from the shop when you make your purchases. Currently VAT added on goods in Switzerland is 7.6%.

To reclaim tax you will need to obtain a VAT refund request form when you make a purchase, which will state the amount of refund due. These documents are then stamped by customs officials as you leave the country and mailed back to the store.

Alternatively you can purchase goods directly from shops participating in Tax-free Shopping (look out for the Tax-free Shopping logo displayed in the window) programme. Simply show your passport when you make a purchase and you will be given a Tax-free Shopping Cheque showing the refund you are owed. As you leave the country, you will need to show the purchases to the appropriate customs official who will stamp your cheques. You can then claim your refund from the Tax-free Shopping desk or have it sent to you.

 

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