10 FESTIVE THINGS TO DO IN CAROUGE – DECEMBER 2019

by Chené Koscielny

If there is one place that captures the Christmas magic perfectly this year, it’s Carouge – from jaw-dropping light installations in every street to a daily advent calendar of craftsmen, a market, great shopping and loads of festive activities, Carouge is the brightest star on the Geneva Christmas tree this year.

We have gone on a little tour and share our favourite festive things to do:

1. TAKE A NIGHTTIME STROLL TO SEE THE LIGHTS

Christmas is all about lights, but we’re not just talking fairy lights and baubles, of which you’ll also see a few giant red ones scattered around town by the way.

This year’s light installations in Carouge have taken festive lights to a whole new dimension with creative light displays throughout town.

From 3 huge fish (carp) swimming overhead in Rue Vautier to the stunning magnolias lighting up the Place du Marché, birds in flight on Place de l’Octroi and the amazing enormous birds perched high on the fountains at the Tours de Carouge, these lights are not to be missed.

You’ll also be able to spot light projections of ‘lutins’ or elves on the ground and against the walls of adjacent buildings. More traditional, pretty guirlandes and lanterns adorn the facades of the shops on the Place du Marché and the Rue St Joseph.

The light displays have been especially designed to guide your stroll though the city.

ALL light illumination images taken by Thierry Parel

2. EAT FONDUE IN A CHRISTMAS TREE

Eat fondue or raclette in the only Christmas tree-shaped restaurant in Switzerland – Swisspine. This huge wooden structure seating around 50+ people is brought to us by the same company who ran the igloo bar in Cologny last year. It’s a great place to enjoy a cosy meal among family and friends.

3. ENJOY A REAL LIVE ADVENT CALENDAR

Carouge is known as a hub of craftsmanship and many shops have workshops attached to them where the owners produce handmade items such as leather goods and jewellery, as well as art galleries. For the month of December, every day, the workshops and some of the shops, galleries or other places, including a hairdresser and the quirky Ibis Styles hotel in Carouge, will ‘open’ a door to a live advent calendar, treating the public to a little performance or treat every night at 19h from Monday to Friday and at 17h30 on Saturday and Sunday and 11h30 on Tuesday, 24^th More info and a map of participants on this site. www.icarouge.ch

4. BUY CRAFTS AND HANDMADE GIFTS AT THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MARKET

On the 13, 14^th and 15^th of December the city becomes even livelier and prettier, because of the annual Christmas market – a traditional market, which offers upmarket products, handmade gifts and delicious edible treats.

It tends to be freezing cold, so vin chaud, hot apple juice or hot chocolate is in order and snack on some toasted chestnuts or other wintry treats.

5. MEDITATE IN A TENT ON PLACE DU TEMPLE

If you need a bit of space out from the Christmas frenzy, step into the tent where a full programme of activities await – including yoga, mediation and music. More info on this page.

6. AMUSE THE KIDS – AND ADULTS – WITH STORIES AND SHOWS IN A YOURT

For the little ones story-telling, magic and other activities – for young and old – await in the cosy yourt on Rue de l’Ancienne.

7. GET THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DONE

On Sundays in December – 8^th, 15^th and 22^nd of December. Next week we’ll share some of our favourite shops with you, but let’s just say there’s something for everyone.

8. EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

When you’ve done your shopping, pop into one of the many great restaurants for a warming meal or snack.

For fondue – you can’t go wrong with the old-style Au vieux Carouge or enjoy a good meal in a warm ambiance at the longstanding Café du Marche or Brasserie La Bourse –on the Place cu Marché.

Our personal favourite is Flacon – a Michelin starred restaurant by talented French chef Yoann Caloué, offering gastronomic meals in a not so stuffy atmosphere – at reasonable prices. Read our review here.

Flacon will be exceptionally open for lunch and dinner on the 22^nd of December.

The same chef also runs Qu’Importe around the corner – a wine bar and restaurant, which boasts a new winter menu with satisfyingly tasty and delicious sharing style meals, including breaded oxtail to die for.

For a drink and some nightlife – head to Rue Vautier, where you can enjoy music by young and up-and-coming artists at Le Chat Noir or enjoy a drink at Vert Bouteille in the same street.

9. GET YOUR SKATES ON AND CHILL AT THE ICE BAR

On the Place des Charmettes, you’re invited to write your wish in a little wooden structure providing pencil and paper – and hang it on the wishing tree to be carried off into the universe by the wind.

Our wish is that this season of merriment never ends…