Will be in Geneva for 1 day. We need to bring back chocolate (preferably nougats) to family member lest we get disinherited from Will. This is a serious question. Anyone know a good chocolatier, candy store, etc.<BR><BR>Thanks

pity you can't make it north of there (about 40kms south of bern i think) to the nestle factory. You can do a one hour tour which includes free taste testing then go tot he factory shop and buy some there. I must admit that it probably isn't the type of chocolate that you were looking for.

Yes, indeed. For good, "chocolaterie"-type stuff (you know, glass-windowed displays, incredible pralines in 20 variations, chocolate aroma wafting around, small shop) chocolate, try:<BR><BR>- Chocolaterie de l'Arve, place Octroi, Carouge. This is a MUST. It is located just at the entrance to Carouge, in the cluster of low-storied buildings after the trams cross the bridge and pass bearing left into a square; it's a small shop on the right. You can not go wrong at this place. The chocolate is amazing.<BR><BR>- A larger shop (name unfortunately not known), just to the right of the Confederation Center, the small shopping mall right smack in the city center; it's along the tramline and in what used to be a bank building. Believe you'll find candies here as well, perhaps even some gourmet-type food. There's a small caf&eacute; inside, great for people watching...<BR><BR>- Teuscher Chocolat, inside the Confederation Center.<BR><BR>- Finally, Auer Chocolaterie, rue de Rive.<BR><BR>Guess it's an understatement, but... ENJOY!

Richard - all of the shops listed in my reply should also sell "nougats". Don't know if you mean the harder, almost toffy-like sweet, or if you mean pralin&eacute;.

Addendum 2: If you don't know where Carouge is: while it's technically its own commune/village; is very old, so lots of the buildings are quite low and there are several scenic squares, plus a slew of boutiques and small shops that make it worth a hour or two of sightseeing. It's basically part of Geneva and lots of cool and young Genevois live there. You can get there via one of the trams (believe the 12 and 13 lines); from the main train station, it's about a 15 minute ride and ca. Sfr. 2.50 fare. You could also walk it in about 25-30 minutes; best idea would be to walk from the center up rue Corraterie, check out the "Bastion", a small self-enclosed park that hosts a large Calvin memorial; and take the train a bit further on from "Rond Point de Plainpalais". Or, get to Carouge first and walk around there. <BR><BR>Otherwise, take a cab directly to the shop, though this may set you back Sfr. 15 or 20 - one way.

The Nestle factory is in Vevey (not near Bern). You do not want to visit this place for good chocolate. Go to the recommended place in Geneva or to the Chocolate store at the bottom of Rue de Bourg on the left hand side as you walk up from Place St Francois in Lausanne where all the chocolate is handmade.

Lindt chocolate is made in Switzerland and is great. It comes in a variety of flavors and types. The milk chocolate truffles are my favorite, and once my boss brought me back a variety pack of different candy bars each of which was better than the other.

Lindt is good but SO available here in US. I'd try one of the small, family-owned places mentioned rather than chocolate that is mass produced.