Vegetables at the Geneva Sunday outdoor food market in Plainpalais.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Early in the morning, Geneva’s local farm producers and cooks, gather at one of the most dazzlingly colorful outdoor markets in the city: the Plain of Plainpalais. In my opinion, this is one of the most picture-postcard-perfect outdoor food markets in the city and the only one that runs on Sundays.

At the Plaine, you’ll find gorgeous fresh and dried fruits, artful displays of pasta, wine -in winter mulled wine-, “old-world” vegetables, mushrooms, cheese, Valais specialties, home-made jams, freshly made bread, olives, flowers and more.

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – With a few more days of good weather ahead of us -fingers crossed- lots of people are still hitting the river banks to bask in the sun.

One of the "beaches" by the Rhone in Geneva

One of the boats that travel through Geneva's Rhone

Although the awesome Green Library has closed its doors (see photos below), people are still making use of the great new “river beaches” by the Jonction (next to the Sujet Bridge) to enjoy the weather.

Ah… and barbecuing is allowed.

Here’s to a great Sunday!

Photos of the Green Library (Librarie au vert à la pointe de la Jonction) and the Rhone

At the Green Library in Geneva DJs keep the vibe cool

At the open Green Library in Geneva food is served for CHF10

The Green Library in Geneva we hope to see you back next summer

Although illegal, many people still jump off bridges to enjoy swimming in the Rhone

Beach by the Rhone River in Geneva

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Swiss weather forecast for Sunday 19 August: hot, hot, hot! Map provided by ©MétéoSuisse

GENEVA, Switzerland – Have you been feeling hot lately? Well, MeteoSwiss says you better get ready for some more heat as an end-of-summer heatwave is upon us.

According to the Swiss national weather service, after a “brief weather disturbance on Thursday 16 August, temperatures will rise sharply due to high pressure coming from the southwest.”

In other words, it is going to be hot!

Wonderfully high temperatures mean that public beaches around Lake Geneva (canton Vaud and France included), rivers and swimming pools in canton Geneva and beyond, are the place to be.

Swimming in Lake Annecy in neighboring France, a great way to keep cool this weekend

Check MeteoSwiss for updated weather information and don’t forget to check the UV ray index forecast for your region.

Stay hydrated and swim on!

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – As of today and until 21 September 2012, you will have the opportunity to test an electric bike, free of charge in Geneva.

Head to the Planete Charmilles plaza on Avenue d’Aire from 9:00 to 19:00 Monday through Sunday. (For those of you new to Geneva, Planete Charmilles is the mall located between Aire and Lyon, in the quartier de St.Jean-Charmilles, not far from Servette.)

You will be asked to sign a contract with Genève Roule which sponsors the program, present a picture ID -which will be photocopied and returned back to you- and leave a CHF100 deposit.

The bike has to be returned the same day. Any delay will be charged at a rate of CHF2 per hour. Theft insurance is strongly encouraged.

Download the flyer which contains more information, here.

Bon voyage!

Urban golf in Geneva ©Ville de Genève

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Geneva becomes a giant golf course until 16 September. Urban golf course that is.

Head to Bastions Park, get a free set of clubs and balls and follow the two-hour, nine-hole 4km route around the city.

The course includes the Jet d’Eau, the English Gardens and the Brunswick mausoleum.

When? Everyday (including Sundays) from 12:30 to 18:30 and Thursdays until 22:00.

Click here for more information.

How does it work? See how urban golf is played in canton Fribourg

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OP4y1mfobw[/youtube]

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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:

• Bastille Day in Annecy
• Bastille Day in Thoiry

Concerts in the Park at the Geneva musiques colorees ©Claire Cuti

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The 2012 Musiques Colorées free concerts, part of the series Musiques en été festival, takes place at the Ella Fitzgerald stage at La Grange Park every Wednesday and Friday from 6 July until 24 August. All concerts start at 20:30 sharp and last anywhere between 60 to 90 minutes.

The 11-year-old event is reminiscent of the popular Summer Stage in NYC’s Central Park, and specializes in World Beat music (hence the title musiques colorées). However, the 2012 repertoire features mostly European and North American-based artists ranging from chanson to jazz.

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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…

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Rain or shine, hot or cold, swimming is always in. Below my list of all indoor and outdoor pools in the city and canton Geneva. For our list of the best swimming spots around Lake Geneva and local rivers click here, or for a summary of swimming clubs that offer courses in the canton, click here.

Outdoor swimming

City of Geneva

• Acacias/Carouge (Piscine des Vernets), diving pool, kids pool, (50m indoor pool open during the cool months too); swimming lessons; CHF3 kids, CHF6 adults, for kids and teens with the 20ans/20card, CHF2
• Cointrin (Piscine des Ailes), 25m outdoor pool, kids pool; swimming lessons; kids CHF15 for 10 entries
• UN/Servette (Piscine de Varembé), 33m and kids pool, (25m indoor and kids pool also open during the colder months) swimming lessons; CHF3 kids, CHF6 adults, for kids and teens with the 20ans/20card, CHF2

Canton Geneva

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Finding something to do on Sundays in Geneva and surrounding areas seems to be the perennial conundrum for many expats (and a few locals too) who find the area a bit tame on the weekends. Allow me the pleasure then, to bring you a selection of some of the most fun and interesting activities in the Lake Geneva region, and beyond.

Swinging in the outdoors

Just visit the Events page of GenevaLunch where I have posted an eclectic collection of what-to-do-on-Sundays, from antique fairs and flea markets to hiking and Nordic walking.

I hope you enjoy the list and happy Sunday everyone!

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