Outdoor markets are a big thing — not just in Geneva, but in all the European cities we have visited. We’ve gotten into the habit of frequenting Geneva’s largest market to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, and our favorite booth, which sells awesome fresh Italian food (which I will feature in a future blog!). But this post’s topic is not the food market, which takes place every Sunday, but rather the “Flea Market” which takes place every Saturday. Every Saturday morning, around 100 or so venders display their wares, and as this post will attest, you never know what gems you are likely to find. In fact, we bought this table there for a mere 50 Swiss francs a couple months ago.

We finished it ourselves.

Its a nice table, but I’m willing to admit that its also a little boring. Tables are easy to find. Any furniture store will have a table. What if you’re looking for something a little more “unique”?. If you’re at the Geneva market, you’ve come to the right place.

Case in point.

Maybe the mask I was inquiring about doesn’t suit you either. Never fear, there are many others to choose from.

How great would this be at Halloween?

Keeping to the holiday theme, I know that at first glance, the photo below looks like an effigy of Santa, but in fact, it is a holiday light display of Santa climbing down (or up?) a ladder, which I guess is how he gains access to your home if you live in Switzerland. (That whole “chimney” thing never made much sense to me.)

Breaking and entering Santa

Into fine art? There is a broad selection at the Geneva market. I was tempted to buy one of these, because maybe it’d turn out to be a rare masterpiece that has spent the last 100 years in someone’s attic. That happens all the time, you know.

Could one of these be an original Van Gogh?

More interested in sculpture? Not a problem. Alexandros of Antioch’s “Venus de Milo” has no arms. This sculpture has no head. Coincidence? I don’t think so.

Some art is more valuable when important body parts are missing, right?

Looking for something more contemporary?

Snow White and ALL 7 dwarfs!! A complete set!

Perhaps you have something a little more nostalgic in mind.

An antique laptop, no USB port

Or something for you fitness buffs. Think of all the money you’ll save now that you can cancel that gym membership!

You figure it out.

Looking for something a little upscale?

As warm as it is politically incorrect.

Maybe you’re in the market for something a little more practical, perhaps a Christmas gift for a loved one. Let me suggest the following:

For her:

The perfect complement to her faux leopard skin ensemble.

For him:

I actually regret not buying these for myself.

So I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “Hey, you said I’d be able to find a stuffed blowfish, something I desperately need, at the Geneva Market! Was that just a teaser to get me to read this whole post??”

Nope. Behold. It makes a great centerpiece for our new table!

Caution: pick up carefully!