Daily Life as a Geneva Cross-Border Worker: Shopping, Sports, Going Out
Daily Life as a Geneva Cross-Border Worker: Shopping, Sports, Going Out
When you settle in the cross-border area, the first weeks are consumed by paperwork and work. Then comes the daily life question: where's the best supermarket? Is there a good gym? What to do on weekends? This guide compiles recommendations from dozens of cross-border workers who've lived 1-5 years in the Annemasse-Ville-la-Grand-Ambilly area.
Grocery Shopping: The Art of Living on the French Side
The smart cross-border worker's golden rule: live on the French side. Food prices in Switzerland are 40-60% higher than in France for comparable quality. Here's the map of the best spots.
Supermarkets
Carrefour Annemasse (Espace Candide mall): the most comprehensive. Wide selection, fair prices, easy parking. Open until 9pm on weekdays. The default choice for most cross-border workers.
Lidl Annemasse: the best value for money. Fresh products are excellent (fruits, vegetables, bread, pastries). Themed arrivals (Italian week, Asian week) are often very good quality. Perfect for weekly shopping.
Intermarché Ville-la-Grand: well located if you live in VLG, good organic section, average prices.
Grand Frais (Étrembières): the fresh food temple. Fruits and vegetables, fishmonger, butcher, cheese counter — superior quality to standard supermarkets, reasonable prices. Ideal for weekends or when hosting.
Markets
Annemasse Market (Tuesday and Friday, Place de l'HĂ´tel de Ville): local producers, Savoie cheeses, charcuterie, honey, seasonal fruits and vegetables. The atmosphere is friendly and it's an excellent way to discover regional products.
Carouge Market (Wednesday and Saturday, Geneva side): larger, more international, slightly pricier but an experience in itself. Accessible via tram 12.
Organic and Specialty
Biocoop Annemasse: the reference organic store, well stocked. Standard organic prices (20-30% above conventional).
La Vie Claire: organic alternative, good selection of local products.
Swiss side (for exceptions)
Migros and Coop are the two Swiss giants. Only go there for typically Swiss products: chocolate (Frey at Migros, their 2 CHF bars are excellent), Kambly biscuits, rösti, pre-made fondue, bircher muesli, and Migros brand products with no French equivalent.
Tip: if you work in central Geneva, a quick stop at Migros Daily at Cornavin station for lunch (fresh sushi, salads) is convenient and not excessively expensive.
Sports and Wellness: Enjoying the Exceptional Setting
The border area offers an extraordinary playground between lake and mountains. Sports are a pillar of local life.
Gyms
Basic Fit Annemasse: the reliable low-cost option. €19.99-29.99/month depending on the plan. Decent machines, open 24/7. No pool or group classes in the basic plan.
Fitness Park Annemasse: step up, more space, group classes included. Around €30-40/month.
Vitam (Neydens): the premium wellness complex. Pool, spa, hammam, fitness, climbing. Day pass or subscription (~€60/month). The most complete experience in the area but remote — you need a car.
At La Villa Coliving, the gym and pool are included in the rent — a significant advantage representing €300-700 annual savings compared to an external membership.
Outdoor Sports
Hiking: the Salève is 20 minutes by car (or cable car from Collonges). Spectacular views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. Dozens of trails for all levels. The Jura and Voirons also offer beautiful, quieter options.
Trail running: the trail scene is very active. The Grand Trail du Lac (around Lake Geneva), the Trail du Salève, and numerous local races throughout the year. Local Strava groups organise weekly outings.
Cycling and mountain biking: the VoieVerte Annemasse-Geneva for urban cycling (30 min, dedicated path). The Salève and Jura for mountain biking. Bike rental by the day via Geneva services (Donkey Republic, Genève Roule).
Skiing: 1 hour by car from the first resorts (Les Gets, Morzine, Flaine, Chamonix for high-mountain skiing). The Grand Massif and Mont Blanc area are world-class spots at your doorstep. Season pass worthwhile if you ski regularly.
Lake: swimming at Bains des Pâquis (Geneva) in summer, paddleboard and kayak on the lake, beaches at Excenevex or Yvoire on the French side (30 min by car).
Yoga and pilates: several studios in central Annemasse. At La Villa Coliving, yoga classes are organised regularly and included in the rent.
Restaurants and Going Out: The Best of Both Worlds
French side (budget-friendly)
Le Bureau (central Annemasse): friendly brasserie, pleasant terrace, decent bistro cuisine. The default spot for after-work drinks.
La Brasserie du Faucigny: traditional Savoyard cuisine (raclette, fondue, tartiflette). A must in winter.
L'Atelier: upscale, creative cuisine, good value for the level.
Pizzerias: Annemasse has excellent pizzerias. La Trattoria Da Enzo and Mamma Roma are regularly mentioned by our residents.
Bars: Le Saxo, Le Central, and central Annemasse bars offer a relaxed atmosphere. Nothing comparable to Geneva bars in terms of polish, but prices are 2-3x lower.
Swiss side (for special occasions)
Carouge: Geneva's most charming neighbourhood for going out. Small pedestrian streets, terraces, independent shops. Restaurant L'Échalote, Bar du Nord, cafés on Place du Marché.
Geneva Old Town: gastronomic restaurants, cocktail bars, lake views. Budget accordingly — dinner for two easily reaches 100-150 CHF.
Bains des Pâquis: fondue by the lake in winter, swimming in summer. THE iconic Geneva spot, accessible on any budget.
Pâquis: Geneva's most cosmopolitan neighbourhood. Restaurants from around the world at fair prices for Switzerland. The best Lebanese, Thai, Ethiopian cuisine in the region.
Restaurant Budget Guide
Expect €12-18 for lunch on the French side (daily special, lunch deal), vs 20-35 CHF on the Swiss side. For a restaurant dinner, €25-40 French side, 50-80 CHF Swiss side. Drinks? €5-7 per glass of wine French side, 8-14 CHF Swiss side.
Culture and Leisure
Cinema
Pathé Annemasse (Espace Candide): the local multiplex. Full price around €12. Original version screenings available.
Geneva cinemas: Cinémas du Grütli for art house, Pathé Balexert for blockbusters. Swiss prices (18-20 CHF).
Museums and Culture
Geneva offers exceptional cultural access: MAMCO (contemporary art, free first Sunday of the month), Museum of Art and History, CERN (free visits, must book). The International Red Cross Museum is a must.
On the French side, Annecy castle and Annecy museums (30 min by car) are worth the trip.
Weekend Nature and Day Trips
Lake Annecy (30 min) for a beach/cycling day. Chamonix and the Arve valley (1h) for mountain activities summer/winter. Yvoire, medieval village on the lakeshore (30 min), classified among France's most beautiful villages. Lavaux vineyards (1h, Swiss side) — UNESCO heritage, wine tasting and walking. Montreux and Chillon Castle (1h30) for a cultural excursion.
The Cross-Border Worker's Strategic Advantage
What cross-border workers discover after a few months is that their situation gives them the best of both worlds: Swiss salaries with French cost of living, French culture and gastronomy with Swiss infrastructure and quality of life, the Alps and Lake Geneva at their doorstep.
Daily life in the cross-border area isn't a compromise — it's a winning combination, provided you know the right addresses and habits. This guide gives you the foundations; your cross-border colleagues and neighbours will complement with their own gems.
Also read:
- Arriving alone in Geneva: the 30-day guide
- Cross-border transport costs Geneva: 2026 comparison
- Building a network when arriving alone
Want simplified daily life with pool, gym and community? Discover La Villa Coliving and apply here.