Laila Rodriguez
This is the view at the La ville est a vous in Charmilles on 9 Sepetmber 2012 – The neighborhood flea markets in Geneva go on until 30 September
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The neighborhood flea markets better known as La-Ville-est-a-Vous fairs are back from their summer hiatus bringing music, food and cheap second-hand items to Geneva neighborhoods.
The fun parties go on until 30 September, plenty of kids activities. Check out the schedules here.
Here’s one more idea for what to do on those lonely Sundays in Geneva.
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Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – We all know comes summer, Geneva turns into a really fun city. Sometimes offering more than we can do. Here’s my list of free events in our canton.
First of all, tomorrow 14 July is the Lake Parade (Geneva’s gay and techno parade) which ends with a huge techno/rave party by the lake. The 2012 edition (the 16th edition) includes a kids parade for children aged 8 to 12.
In addition to the Lake Parade:
- Free movies under the stars in Geneva
- Free concerts on Fridays
- Free concerts on Fridays and Saturdays
- Mini-golf
- Free movies in Versoix
- The tomato fest in Carouge
Also this weekend, Bastille Day (France’s Indep Day) with fireworks and fun activities in the towns around Geneva:
Laila Rodriguez
The 2012 flyer for the CineTransat in Geneva
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – If this is your first summer in Geneva, cheer up, the city in summer is nothing like the rest of the year, there are loads of things happening.
First in my list of free fun events this summer is CinéTransat or free outdoor films by the lake. A chance to watch a movie under the stars while enjoying one of the city’s best outdoor scenery – Lake Geneva.
This city-sponsored fest hits the Perle du Lac park for its fourth year, offering a six week run of mostly popular and classic flicks like Flashdance or the cult 1942 romantic film Casablanca. Get there early with your crew to nab a prime picnicking spot (kids are welcome).
One of CineTransat attractions are the thematic eves such as (see if you can match the theme to the right movie): the 60′s, Drag Queen eve, night surfing, princes and princesses, sci-fi and more.
In case of rain, CinéTransat is canceled. Here’s the 2012 film list: Read more…
Laila Rodriguez
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – One of my weekend pastimes in Geneva has been discovering museums in the city, and while there is much debate on whether or not Geneva has world-quality museums, I find there is plenty of room for discussion and plenty to see.
Here’s the deal, entry to permanent collections in all of the municipal museums (14 in total) is free of charge, all year round.
Entry to temporary exhibitions is free of charge on the first Sunday of the month in all 14 municipal museums, or about CHF5-CHF10 other days.
List of the free, public museums in Geneva
Centre d'Art en l'Ile, a former market now houses art and video installations - Photo ©Jared Bloch
Laila Rodriguez
CAROUGE, SWITZERLAND – The beautiful cité sarde of Carouge, which according to Fodor’s owes its beautiful architecture to Turin authorities, goes all out for Christmas.
The Christmas lights are not the only attraction:
- It also opens 130 of its shops for shopping on Sundays: 27 November, 4, 11 and 18 December
- The Advent market takes place 27 November on Market Square
- It holds is annual Christmas Telethon on 3 December on Market Square
- The outdoor Christmas market takes place from 16-18 December also on Market Square
- The ice-skating rinks opens from December to February at the Sardaigne Plaza, skating is free
Have yourself a great end-of-year holiday season.
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Laila Rodriguez
Thousands for books for avid readers, loan them or buy them
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Get ready for some serious shopping this weekend.
Thousands of books, magazines and DVDs are up for sale at the bi-annual sale at the Library in English located in the Paquis, right next to the Kempinski Hotel.
Secondhand, and some new, books for adults and children, audio-books on CD, magazines, and DVDs are for sale.
When: From 4 to 6 November, 2011.
Remember you can also donate your books to the Library!
Read all about it in one of my earlier posts.
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Laila Rodriguez
Swimming instructor at the Bains de Paquis
Geneva, Switzerland – It is hot! Perfect time to swim outdoors, but, where? Well, when it comes to finding a “beach” in Geneva, Paquis seems to come first to mind, but of course there are plenty more options.
In fact, there are officially 14 public beaches in Canton Geneva, several with picnic areas and a few with camping areas, and 116 beaches around the Lake including France.
How to find them?
Here’s our list which includes points of access for boats to the Lake.
Laila Rodriguez
Free Lawn chairs during the summer - Photo GabrielaRRB
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Geneva might be one of the most expensive cities in the world but that does not mean you have to break the bank or empty your pockets to have some fun this summer.
Here are some of my favorite, free events for this summer in Geneva, some beginning this week, others already underway. A separate post for kids activities this summer will follow:
Laila Rodriguez
New Year celebration in Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland – New to Geneva or simply spending New Year’s Eve in the city? Here’s something free and fun for those willing to venture out in the cold.
The Geneva New Year’s eve outdoor celebration is back for its 2011 edition after a year hiatus.
Every year the city offers a réveillon from 22:00 to 2:30 in Old Town which in 2011 will include an alcohol-free villa, giant karaokes and video displays.
Food and drink stalls will sell items at “reasonable prices” says the city of Geneva and the sales will benefit non-profit foundations serving the homeless, those with less means and those escaping situations of domestic violence.
Get your disco ball ready and dust off those old bell bottoms and have yourself a Happy San Silvestre.
Schedules of public parties in Old Town
Laila Rodriguez
Anything and everything for sale in Paquis - Photo ©La Rue est a Vous
Geneva, Switzerland – After much discussion and plenty of speculation, the popular neighborhood party and flea-market in the Paquis will take place after all on 18 and 19 September but on a much reduced scale compared to previous years.
If you’re a fan of the usual Paquis mayhem, prepare for a heart-break as this will be the last year for the music and street-theatre performances, the exotic food vendors and the stalls selling new and second-hand items.
According to Gaston Coutaz, member of the organizing neighborhood committee, the fetes, which gathered over 20,000 people in 2009 and which has been a Geneva staple for the past 18 years, is coming to an end.
“The volunteers in Paquis will hold one last neighborhood party [...] In spite of our original mandate and due to current circumstances: a huge hike in costs and an unsuccessful search of funds, the organization is no longer able to sponsor the event,” said the press release sent by the association on 3 September.
The heavy fees associated with clean-up, security and set-up have been passed by the city onto the neighborhood association which simply doesn’t have the funds for it, says Coutaz.