Geneva Feature

Geneva's principal shopping streets, known collectively as the Rues Basses, run along the Left Bank. You'll see everything from limo-loads of body-guarded, burqa-clad women shopping for sexy footwear, to jeans-wearing camera toters seeking a glimpse of the high life.

In true Swiss democratic style, the Rues Basses' sidewalk mix ranges from Mr. and Ms. Everybody to jetsetters. On two parallel streets linked by smaller ones, the Rues Basses (or Low Streets, in relation to the Old Town perched on a hill above) have something for everyone. Rue du Rhône, closer to the river, marks the epicenter of luxury shopping, from heavy-glitz brand boutiques—Chanel, Hermès, Vuitton, et al—to homegrown deluxe watchmakers like Chopard and Piaget. One block in is the more popular thoroughfare known as Rue de Rive, which then becomes Rue de la Croix d'Or, then Rue du Marché, and finally Rue de la Confédération. Up the hill, galleries, antiques shops, home-accessories emporia, and chic boutiques line the Old Town's Grand-Rue.

Best Time to Go

Hit the area on bustling weekday afternoons when all the stores are sure to be open. The Rues Basses get crowded on Saturdays, too, but many watch and jewelry stores are closed then—and they remove window bling so shoppers have nothing but empty display stands to take in. Sunday you'll have the place to yourself; everything except a few eateries is closed tight as a drum.

Refueling

Two ideal places for chocolate sampling are Martel (4 rue de la Croix d'Or 022/3103119) and Gilles Desplanches (Corner of Rue de la Corraterie and Rue de la Confédération 022/8103028), where sumptuously sinful pralines and truffles await: white, black, pile after neat little pile; you can buy just the one or a bagful. Stay for lunch or tea—there's seating in both venues and bountiful selections of savory tartlets, meat pasties, and rolls with fillings more likely to be crabmeat and sprouts than ham-and-cheese.

Best For

All-Around Finds

Globus: has everything, including a yummy food hall, fab Swiss wines.

Franz Carl Weber: come here for toys, backpacks, Swiss flag T-shirts, caps, mugs—you name it. 12 rue de la Croix d'Or 022/3104255

Victorinox: maker of the original Swiss Army knife—some now come with a USB. Check out the Swiss Army watches. 2 rue du Marché 022/3186340

Swiss Design

Bally: hits include unisex red-and-white trimmed leather bags, and cashmere or silk-and-wool scarves. 18 rue du Marché 022/3102287

Blue Lemon: learn the meaning of "soft" when you touch the modal this sexy feminine apparel is made from. There's a men's line, too. 10 rue de la Croix d'Or 022/3113022

Bongénie: made-in-Geneva Mizensir candles and sprays—a class act in home perfumery.

Bucherer: a good place to buy another locally produced brand: Rolex. Rolex's own boutique, Chrono-Time, is nearby.

Swatch: Trendy watches (and jewelry), mostly under 100 francs. 40 rue du Marché 022/3114542