Forget Berlin, London, or Copenhagen. Now, Zurich is the place to be. Switzerland's economic capital is buzzing, transforming, and captivating. Contemporary art, design, gastronomy, fashion… There's something new happening in the east!
Zurich is no longer just about its powerful banks, insurance companies, and multinationals. Gone is its staid and austere image. Prosperous and dynamic, German-speaking but also highly cosmopolitan, the "little big city" proudly displays its assets: a bucolic natural setting between rivers, a lake, and mountains; a historic center with medieval charm; and a vibrant creative scene that is finally coming to the fore. Above all, it's important to remember that Dadaism was born here a century ago at the Cabaret Voltaire, which is still in operation today. Strolling through this city sometimes means stumbling upon masterpieces: on the shores of the lake, a pavilion by Le Corbusier, his very last work and the only one built entirely of steel and glass; and a little further on, an immense kinetic sculpture by Jean Tinguely; in the main train station, a monumental installation by Niki de Saint Phalle, suspended in mid-air.
Culture, and art in particular, is a serious business in Zurich, which boasts a record number of museums—around fifty—including the unmissable Kunsthaus and its recent extension designed by starchitect David Chipperfield, the Museum für Gestaltung (dedicated to design and graphic arts), and the Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst (contemporary art). In addition, there are numerous art galleries, such as Hauser & Wirth and Gmurzynska, designed by Zaha Hadid.
Like other major cities, Zurich has successfully harnessed the tremendous potential of its industrial districts, transforming former breweries, brownfield sites, and abandoned warehouses into alternative cultural venues and trendy hotspots . The epicenter of this new wave is in the west of the city, around the Viadukt and its food court , where concept stores, vintage boutiques, coffee shops, and creative studios of all kinds line the arches. At the end of the line is the flagship store of Freitag, the local brand of bags made from recycled tarpaulins, housed in several stacked shipping containers. Elsewhere, throughout the city's neighborhoods, known locally as Kreis , from one tram stop to the next, Zurich is constantly experimenting with new hotel and culinary concepts. And it continues to organize more and more events: Art International Zurich (May 23-25, 2025), Food Zurich (June 12-22), Zurich Art Weekend (June 13-15), Zurich Design Weeks (September 4-14)... So many opportunities to plan an original getaway, just four hours by direct train from Paris.
Address Book
The Home, the Dadaist legacy
On the banks of the Sihl River, in an increasingly vibrant neighborhood, a former paper mill has been restored to create this brand-new Design Hotel with 132 rooms and suites. With its deliberately unconventional design, a cultural program open to all the arts, and a relaxed atmosphere, it embodies the spirit of the Dada movement in its own way.
B2, in the middle of the books
A remnant of a brewery, with a few heavy machines still on display, this 60-room, 4-star hotel welcomes a mix of tourists, coworkers, and Zurich locals enjoying afternoon tea or after-work drinks. B2 is a contraction of "boutique hotel" and "books." And books abound here: 3,300 in total, displayed on enormous shelves in the lobby bar, surrounding monumental chandeliers made from beer bottles. Impressive!
The Counter, high gastronomy
Barely open and already two Michelin stars! The creativity of chef Mitja Birlo, the open kitchen to follow the precise gestures of the brigade and its strategic location, in the central station, make this counter imagined by chef-entrepreneur Nenad Mlinarevic an address to try absolutely, before or after a train journey.
Anoah, for the love of plants
For his first restaurant, 24-year-old Noah Rechsteiner is making a bold statement. His plant-based cuisine is showcased each evening in a set menu, and on weekends in a brunch format. His slogan gets straight to the point: "Make food, not war."
Haus Konstruktiv, another idea of art
Approaching its 40th anniversary, this private museum dedicated to constructive, concrete, and conceptual art joins other major cultural institutions in Zurich West, including the Museum für Gestaltung and Migros. Its exhibitions are now displayed behind the tall red brick facade of the Löwenbrau brewery.
Studio Fuse, cutting-edge shopping
Set against a backdrop of raw concrete, this concept store showcases trendy and highly exclusive brands from across Europe. It features a unique selection of clothing, jewelry, bags, accessories, decorative objects…
Find out more
The Zurich guide from the independent French publisher Papier: 160 pages of hidden gems, ideas for walks and activities, encounters with local personalities, and practical advice. Published in December 2024, €25. guidepapier.fr
