Simply chewable souvenir
The world's best-known chocolate brands are Swiss. Visit the Lindt Museum in Kilchberg or the Cailler Museum in Broc to discover the secrets of chocolate-making and its fascinating history. You'll also fall for one of the country's eighteen companies and brands: Toblerone and its iconic bar shape, Camille et Bloch, Nestlé, Frey, Läderach, Ovomaltine, Villars, Suchard, Favarger... All these brands are ambassadors of chocolate quality, preserving traditional recipes while continuing to innovate. In supermarkets across the country, such as Manor, Coop and Migros, you'll find the full range of these delicious treats. But don't forget to try the Cailler bar or the Ovaltine spread. Take advantage of your trip to sample some of the best local, artisanal sweets. In every city, you'll come across master chocolatiers such as Chocolaterie du Rhône in Geneva, Blondel in Lausanne, Bachmann in Lucerne, Sprüngli in Zurich... Rest assured, you've got plenty of room: the Swiss consume more than 10 kilos of chocolate a year.
Like the astronauts, get a Swiss Army knife!
Here's a useful souvenir to give yourself: a Swiss Army knife! With its little Swiss flag on the handle, it's instantly recognizable. Much more than a multifunctional gadget, this knife was originally designed for Swiss soldiers in 1891 by Karl Elsener. Its purpose was to open cans as well as to cut. Then, in 1897, the "officer's and sports knife" gave birth to the famous Swiss Army knife. This military knife has evolved thanks to Victorinox innovations. Its real strength lies in its versatility and quality. American astronauts never hesitate to take it with them on their missions.
Handicraft, a rural and alpine know-how
In many Swiss villages, you can admire woodworking, lacemaking, pottery and carving, reflecting a centuries-old craft tradition. Using wood from ash, willow, fir or spruce, larch or walnut, dried for two years before being worked, the boisselier makes useful and decorative objects. In Gruyère, the wooden ladle for pouring heavy cream will accompany your dessert service. You can also witness the making of the alphorn, from spruce wood that is often over a hundred years old. Another local speciality are the traditional paper cut-outs depicting scenes of everyday mountain life or folk festivals, which originated towards the end of the 18th century and are spectacular(Musée du Vieux Pays d'Enhaut, Château-d'Œx). Lace-making is also still very much alive in Switzerland. For example, Gruyère lace is 100% handmade. And let's not forget the bells to bring the Swiss Alps home. They are the very emblem of small mountain hamlets and a symbol of tradition. Here, every cow has its own bell... and it's up to you to make your own!
For a 100% Swiss discovery aperitif
What could be nicer than organizing a friendly aperitif on your return from your trip to share Swiss culinary specialties? The choice of charcuterie is vast. Some are very distinctive, such as Grisons charcuterie, which is eaten as thin slices of dried meat. Sausages can be as mild as veal sausage, or as spicy as longeole seasoned with fennel seeds, a favorite in winter in the canton of Geneva (Boucherie du Molard, Geneva). Cheese is served raw on the table, from artisanal production. Mountain cheese has an intense, unique aroma. Shape a few "rebib" of tête de moine AOP with a girole, or slice a few thin slices of Gruyère AOP or étivaz (alpine cheese) as a snack, or opt for the processed cheese version with raclette or three-cheese fondue (Gruyère, Vacherin, Emmental). You'll find ready-to-eat packets in supermarkets, or even fresher ones in artisan cheese dairies. In German-speaking Switzerland, pretzels are the perfect accompaniment to an aperitif, while in French-speaking Switzerland, brioche plaits go very well with savoury dishes. Le Parfait, a pâté in a tube, or Cénovis, a spread made with yeast extract, will enhance the taste of your little canapés. For a sweet touch and an easy, 100% Swiss gourmet dessert, opt for a tube of vermicelli chestnut cream, small meringues and a generous layer of Gruyère double-cream. The whole of Switzerland will melt in your mouth!
Grape varieties in your luggage
An Alpine country with good wine! Wine and good local produce are part of the Swiss culinary environment and culture. How can you not accompany a fondue with a good bottle of Chasselas or an aperitif with a Fendant? Wine has been cultivated since the Roman Empire, and some vineyards are extraordinary, such as Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dézaley grand cru is a delight! Ranked 132ndin the world in terms of surface area, Switzerland's vineyards are not lacking in panache. There are no fewer than 252 grape varieties, the main ones grown being pinot noir, chasselas (indigenous), gamay and merlot. The typicity of each wine depends on the region. Ticino, for example, is very southern, with wines made from 90% Merlot and a fruity aroma that would make a Bordeaux pale. Visiting the canton of Geneva? Take the opportunity to cycle through the vineyards(www.geneveterroir.ch) and enjoy a discreet taste of Gamay or Chasselas white wine. As for Valais, it offers the perfect wine for cheese dishes. One third of production comes from the Valais alpine vineyards. Here, chasselas becomes fendant and is enjoyed in small stemless glasses. The swisswine.ch website will help you choose your wine and your destination.
Show me Switzerland!
Asthe jewel in the crown of the Swiss watchmaking industry, it would be a shame not to take home a state-of-the-art wristwatch, such as the latest Swatch for those who just want to get away from it all, or a watch by a renowned designer and watchmaker: Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Hublot, Fréderic Constant, Piaget, Tissot, Baume et Mercier... Almost 95% of the luxury watches produced in Switzerland are sold abroad. Department stores like Manor offer a wide range of watches. For personalized advice, we recommend visiting certified jewelers. Beware, however, that copies can be sold at low prices even in Switzerland! If you want to be the "strong link" in the watchmaking world, there are several museums you can't miss, such as theEspace Horloger in the Vallée de Joux, the Musée International de l'Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds and the private Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
In a completely different register, but with the same intention of telling the time, the Swiss cuckoo clock is a vintage and musical souvenir that will embellish your dining room!
To write and draw in your travel journal
Pens may seem classic in today's digital age, but the Caran d'Ache pencil is ultra-trendy and affordable. Its design and high quality are the work of Arnold Schweitzer, who in 1924 bought the Ecridor company and renamed it Caran d'Ache. The name was a nod to Emmanuel Poiré, the famous Russian-born French cartoonist nicknamed "karandach", meaning "pencil" in Russian. At the time, the factory revolutionized the writing market with the Fixpencil, then with the famous Neocolor in 1952, and in 1970 with the first Madison fountain pen. Since then, the range has expanded, and pens, pencils, pastels and paints have maintained their high quality. The company is based in the canton of Geneva, and you can visit the Caran d'Ache boutique on Place Bourg de Four in Geneva, or find a range of products in airport boutiques and department stores.
To feel the elegance of the nib between your fingers, the Montblanc pen is a must. The trio of paper manufacturer Claus Johannes, Hamburg banker Alfred Nehemias and Berlin engineer August Eberstein founded the Montblanc brand. In 1908, they launched the first fountain pen with ink reservoir, and in 1924 the Meisterstück fountain pen made a name for itself with its elegance and writing finesse. Treating yourself to a Montblanc is like treating yourself to a luxurious, high-quality jewel. You can discover the full range of Montblanc fountain pens in our major boutiques in Geneva, Crans-Montana, Zurich..
