Geneva's exclusive shops centre around the perimeters of the Rues Basses - the chic Rue du Rhône, Rue de la Confederation, Rue du Marché and Rue de la Croix-d'Or. Watch and jewellery shops line these streets quite literally with gold. Here you can find some useful adressess of the most interesting shops.
Jewelry
Bucherer (26 quai du General-Guisan, tel: 022/3196266) sells luminous pearls and diamonds of all sizes. They also carry more Rolex watches than anyone else in town.
Bulgari (30 rue du Rhone, tel: 022/3177070) favors heavy gold necklaces and rings crusted with jewels.
Chopard (8 rue de la Confederation, tel: 022/3113728; 27 rue du Rhone, PHONE: 022/3107050) will wrap your wrist with a diamond-studded watch.
Cartier (35 rue du Rhone, tel: 022/8185454; 90 rue du Rhone, PHONE: 022/3102040) sets its rubies, emeralds, and diamonds in a variation on its trademark panther.
Franck Muller (1 rue de la Tour de l'Ile, tel: 022/8180030) creates classic and contemporary timepieces in the best Swiss tradition.
L'Arcade (20 rue de la Corraterie, tel: 022/3111554) showcases Edith Moldaschl's unique line of costume jewelry from 1930 to 1960.
Ludwig Muller (2 rue de la Cite, tel: 022/3102930) draws inspiration from commedia dell'arte and uses rare blue gold in its designs.
Patek Philippe (41 rue du Rhone, tel: 022/7812448) still occupies the original 1839 building where the original winding mechanism of the timepiece was invented.
Piaget (40 rue du Rhone, tel: 022/8170200) wraps its ultraflat watch movements in platinum and gold.
Vacheron-Constantin (1 rue des Moulins, tel: 022/3103227), the oldest manufacturer of watches in the world, sold its first sober design in 1755.
Auctions
Christie’s (8 pl. de la Taconnerie, tel: 022/3191766) also auctions rare wines in addition to jewelry.
Sotheby’s (13 quai du Mont-Blanc, tel: 022/7328585) holds previews twice a year at the Hotel Beau-Rivage.
Books
À Montparnasse (37 Grand-Rue, tel: 022/3116719) deals in unusual old books, prints, and maps.
Elm Books (3 rue Versonnex, tel: 022/7360945) stocks English-language titles for all ages.
Galerie Bernard Letu (2 rue Calvin, tel: 022/3104757) carries an inspired multilingual range of art and photography books.
Head to Librairie Ancienne (20 Grand-Rue, tel: 022/3102050) for leather-bound and gilt first editions.
Librairie Archigraphy (1 pl. de l'Ile, tel: 022/3116008) displays art, design, and architecture books in a setting worthy of its subjects.
Librairie Jullien (32 pl. du Bourg-de-Four, tel: 022/3103670) has sold books old and new since 1839.
L'Oreille Cassee (9 quai des Bergues, tel: 022/7324080) captures the market for hardcover bandes dessinees (comic books).
Payot (5 rue de Chantepoulet, tel: 022/7318950; 16 rue du Marche, PHONE: 022/3197940), the commercial chain, serves French, English, and German readers.
Department Stores
Globus Grand Passage (48 rue du Rhône, tel: 022/3195050) links the main Left Bank shopping streets. Service is good, and the kitchen goods, men's clothing, and fresh food sections are exceptional.
Bon Genie (34 rue du Marche, tel: 022/8181111) sells expensive designer clothing and cosmetics on floor after hushed floor.
Chocolate ARN (12 pl. du Bourg-de-Four, tel: 022/3104094) sells handmade white-chocolate truffles, among other treats.
Auer (4 rue de Rive, tel: 022/3114286) was the first to make bite-size paves glaces, creamy cobblestone-shape chocolates.
Du Rhone (3 rue de la Confederation, tel: 022/3115614) has sold bittersweet hot chocolate since 1875.
Merkur (13 rue du Mont-Blanc, tel: 022/7322719; 32 rue du Marche, PHONE: 022/3102221) has assorted gift boxes of chocolates and huge champagne truffles.
Rohr (3 pl. du Molard, tel: 022/3116303; 42 rue du Rhône, PHONE: 022/3116876) models its smooth, rich signature truffles after Geneva garbage cans.
Zeller (1 pl. Longemalle, tel: 022/3115026) specializes in moules du lac, sugary chocolate shaped like mussels.
Markets
Geneva has many outdoor markets. The flower market on the Place du Molard and the clothes and book market on the Place de la Madeleine are open daily. Flea markets are held on Wednesday and Saturday, at the Plaine de Plainpalais (0800-1800). On Tuesday and Friday morning, the same spot is used for a colourful fruit and vegetable market (0800-1300). On Thursday, regional handicrafts are sold at the Place de la Fusterie (0800-1900). Visitors can ask in shops for a tax-free shopping cheque and reclaim the 7.5% VAT for purchases over SFr500 at Geneva airport.
Les Halles de Rive (17 rue Pierre-Fatio) sells fresh cheeses, meats, and pasta Monday through Saturday. A fruit-and-vegetable market fills the boulevard Helvétique on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Place de la Fusterie welcomes arts-and-crafts vendors every Thursday.
