Romandie is different. You notice that quickly when you cross the language border. And this distinctiveness also shows when it comes to free stuff. Here I share what I've learned about the French-speaking part of Switzerland.
Geneva: The International City
Geneva is a special case in Switzerland. The city has more expats than almost any other, thanks to the UN, the WHO, and hundreds of international organizations. This shapes the free stuff culture massively.
The good news: There's constant movement. Diplomats get reassigned, UN employees change posts, international students come and go. Every change means: Furniture needs to go.
The less good news: The competition is international. In Geneva, it's not just Swiss people looking for free stuff, but people from all over the world. Items get snapped up quickly.
The best neighborhoods are where the international organizations house their employees. Champel, Florissant, partially also Vernier. Here you sometimes find high-quality items – IKEA isn't the only thing being given away.
A tip: The English-speaking expat groups on Facebook are often more productive than the local ones. "Geneva Expats" and similar groups have thousands of members, and things are regularly given away there.
Lausanne: The University City
Lausanne has EPFL, one of the best technical universities in Europe, plus the University of Lausanne. That means: Students. Lots of students.
The neighborhoods around the universities – Ecublens, Chavannes, Renens – are correspondingly interesting. Furniture rotates here on a semester rhythm. July, when the academic year ends, and September, when it starts, are the best times.
What sets Lausanne apart from other university cities: The internationality. EPFL attracts students from all over the world, and many only stay for one or two years. This short-term nature means that quality furniture becomes available again quickly.
You can skip the old town and the expensive lakeside districts. People there don't need to give things away. Focus on the western part of the city.
The French Touch
In Romandie, a lot runs through Anibis.ch – the Western Swiss equivalent of tutti.ch. The free category there is modest, but it exists.
What I find interesting: People in Romandie also use French platforms. Leboncoin, for example, even though it's actually for France. In border regions like Geneva, it sometimes works.
The local Facebook groups are called "Gratuit" instead of "Gratis" – naturally. "Donner Genève" or "Gratuit Lausanne" are the usual names. The communities are active, but communication happens in French.
Cultural Differences
I've observed that in Romandie, people talk more. They want to know who's getting their things. While in Zurich a simple "I'll be there at 3 PM" is often enough, people in Romandie sometimes expect more context.
That's not criticism, just an observation. If you're coming from German-speaking Switzerland and searching in Romandie, be a bit more personal in your messages. Introduce yourself, briefly explain why you need the item.
What's also different: People in Romandie are more spontaneous. "Je passe dans une heure" (I'll come by in an hour) is more readily accepted than in Zurich, where everything needs to be planned. That can be an advantage if you're flexible.
Transport
Geneva and Lausanne both have excellent public transit. Geneva has the TPG network, Lausanne has TL with the spectacular Metro M2 that goes up the hill.
But for furniture you need a car. Mobility car-sharing is available here too, with vans at various locations. The booking process works the same as in German-speaking Switzerland.
A peculiarity in Geneva: The proximity to France. Sometimes it's easier to organize a car in Annemasse or Ferney-Voltaire. Not strictly legal in the narrowest sense, but practical.
The Smaller Cities
Romandie is more than Geneva and Lausanne. Fribourg, Neuchatel, Sion – these cities have smaller but active communities.
Fribourg is particularly interesting because the city is bilingual. German-speaking and French-speaking Swiss meet here, leading to a mixed culture. The university brings movement, the old town brings charm.
Neuchatel has a quieter scene, but often good quality offerings. The city is smaller, the competition lower.
My Conclusion
Romandie is worth it, even if you don't speak perfect French. The international character, especially in Geneva, often makes communication easy. And the quality of offerings is sometimes better than in German-speaking Switzerland, because more international households are being dissolved.
PIKITUP is still growing in Romandie. We welcome everyone who joins in – whether in Geneva, Lausanne, or elsewhere.
Tu connais bien la Romandie? Write to me in German or French – hello@pikitup.ch