Information for the city of Geneva: Here is a section that could interest people looking for cheaper food and stuff, cheap or even free activities, dancing lovers, meetings for pregnant mothers and young mothers, families looking for cheap activities, sport lovers, party people…
Cheap Food
Cheap Food
Cheaper Local Fruits & Vegetables
The seasonal, local fruits and vegetables not acceptable commercially at Migros because of what they look like, but still totally consumable, can be found at l’Union Maraîchère de Genève, with the label Côté Jardin. I started buying these products there a long time ago and it is much cheaper with the same high quality. There are three of these markets in Carouge, Pâquis and Perly.
Cheap Stuff
Clothes
Bikes
- La Fourrière de la Ville au Bouchet sells bikes from 80.- to 200.- CHF.
Secondhand Markets
La Ville est à Vous
La Ville de Genève organises from May until September La Ville est à Vous in different neighbourhoods of Geneva. The public area becomes during a week-end, a garage sale.
Adresses futées pour budget serré
L’Hospice Général published a small brochure with many useful and cheap places in Geneva, classified by categories, it is named: Adresse futés pour budget serré. It is updated regularly. I have just listed some of them, but their brochure is more complete. – PDF link
Espace 8
A place of assistance and exchange of information. Alternatives Dettes shares some tips that I have mentioned earlier, go check-out their website, they are efficient and well organised.
Free Classes
French classes
Free french classes during summertime, through the website of l’État de Genève, Cours au Parc and also via GE-Integration.
The association On va parler ensemble supports the integration process of the migrants coming to Geneva, offering a meeting point that allow them to learn french. They organise conversation groups each week, during summertime in Parc des Bastions. The rest of the year, on Tuesdays and Saturdays in l’Espace de Quartier Jonction.
Meditation Classes
At l’Ecole Occidentale de Méditation, no participation fees is required. The meditation group of Geneva is opened to everyone, beginners and regulars. It is not necessary to pre-register. You can come once or each week, no commitment is required.
At the Brahma Kumaris Centres, they are giving meditation courses based on the philosophy of Brahma Kumaris Raja-Yoga. All teachings are given free of charge. A donation box is available for contributions. Also every Tuesday evening they have a group meditation with commentaries followed by a talk in French. Brahma Kumaris Suisse – Rue Joseph-Pasquier 9 – 1203 Genève.
Spot to Dance Salsa
During summertime, each Wednesday, School of dance Salseros de Hoy organise salsa sessions at Barje des Sciences, which is found at la Perle du Lac. Free entrance, 20h-24h.
Spot to Dance Tango
Le Milonga Tapas organise each Friday 18h-21h, apéro time, to relax with Tango in a bistronomic lounge setting, on a wooden floor with the possibility to eat and drink. Free entry. At the café restaurant les Lauriers, 5, Rue Veyrassat, 1203 Genève – Facebook group
Exchanges Networks & Swaps
Swap Networks are an efficient means of exchange to obtain goods or a service without spending any money and they also give you the opportunity to meet some interesting people. Without knowing it, you certainly have skills that can be shared in the form of exchanges.
SEL du Lac
Exchange network – SEL means «Local Exchange Trading Systems». The SEL du Lac is a Genevan association. The members of this association exchange among each other Goods, Services and Knowledges.
S.E.L. Suisse
The portal of the Swiss SELs.
EnLien
The website enLien allows a computerised management of complementary currency based on time. It is used to exchange services, knowledges, goods without any money, notably in a local trading exchange system.
R.E.R.S.
The R.E.R.S. or the website of reciprocal exchanges of knowledges of Lausanne and the French-speaking Switzerland, propose to exchange for free knowledges among individuals or in a group. Le Réseau d’échanges réciproques de savoirs de Lancy is active.
For Free
Freecycle
The network Freecycle is non-profit private organisation. The objective is to promote the donation and the reuse of objects to avoid putting them into landfills. On this website you can give and/or obtain things for free. – Background
Free stuff
Similar movement as FreeCycle, originating from the USA, Free stuff is a website in English. Everything is for free.
Activities & Entertainment
Cultural Events Calendars of Geneva
Events Organisers
Events organised through websites, the majority of them are for free, you just need to subscribe. They also do free aperos, workshops, theatre classes, hikings, picnics and many many more…
- Glocals – an English speaking online community created in Geneva
- MeetUp – an online social networking
- GoSocial – Active social group. Members can create events in their system of well-managed WhatsApp groups.
- GIA – Geneva Interns Association
- InterNations – Network for expats with local communities worldwide
Free Concerts: During The Year
- Les Recyclables – Jazz concerts, each Friday from 19h. Free entrance, contribution for the performers.
- AMR – Jam sessions, Jazz artists, each Tuesday from 21h.
During Summertime
- Les Aubes – Party people and people that wake up early, let’s meet when the sun rises for a concert in Bains des Pâquis.
- Scène Ella Fitzgerald – During July and August.
Free Open Air Film Projections
- CineTransat at la Perle du Lac.
Activities for Young Mothers & Parents
Maman cherche Maman
An initiative has been created by mothers. The action Maman cherche Maman provides informal moments among mothers so they can share tips, about good addresses and the adventure of becoming a mother. Walks, visits of neighboorhoods and outings are also in the program of the group. Meetings are organised regularly as enjoying a tea or coffee in a convivial, informal and multilingual context. – Facebook group
L’Arcade sages-femmes
To the future mothers or already mothers, l’Arcade sages-femmes suggests walks, accompanied by midwives.
Opportunity to talk about your experience with other mothers, to receive encouragment, support and advice from a midwife.
Random Stuff
Know-it-all passport
Know-it-all passport, first published in 1999, is the ultimate English-language guide for the Geneva, Vaud and neighboring France areas.
Philosophical Cafes
The Geneva Café News is a set up where we encounter other people’s thoughts in a philosophical way with a convivial atmosphere. All topics can be put on the table, as long as people stay courteous and respectful with each other’s ideas. It happens in Les 4 Coins in Carouge.
Volunteering
Genève Bénévolat gives you the great opportunity to give a bit of your time to experience the atmosphere of a festival or event from the organisers perspective, to discover more about the organisation and events, and to meet lots of new people. In return you often receive free tickets for concerts, free drinks, etc.
Pré en Bulle
The non-profit organisation Pré en Bulle organises different activities and animations for people of all of ages among the neighbourhood of Les Grottes, Cropettes and Montbrillant.
Ride a Bike for Cheap
Behind Cornavin train station, there is Genèveroule, there you can hire a bike for several hours. Free for the first 4 hours, then it’s payable.