The ten best book venues around Switzerland

The stunning rococo-style library of the St Gallen monastery does not just house an awe-inspiring collection of books, but also hosts conferences and classical concerts. 

This radical little Berlin-esque book space sits next to Geneva’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and promotes feminist and critical writing. 

They’ve thought of everything here: all the latest Booker Prize-nominated novels, a Starbucks next to the mouthwatering cookbook section, WiFi and comfy chairs everywhere – it's like a Swiss Barnes & Noble.

Browse the expertly edited selection of titles, then ask owner Daniel Nufer about the regular performances and readings at this gem of a bookshop. 

Housed next to the cinema, the Kosmos cultural centre’s bookshop is open until 10pm most nights and offers food, drinks and a cosy seating area. In all, it can be a pretty hard place to leave. 

Rent one of the simple rooms at this refuge/antique bookshop in the mountains and get lost in the collection of over 100,000 vintage books belonging to its founder, Romansh singer-songwriter Walter Lietha – a kind of Swiss version of Bob Dylan with a touch of Timothy Leary.

Chat with owner Vincent Bidoyet to find out about the selection of art and architecture books, art exhibitions, writing workshops and other events at this shop on an island in the River Rhône.

Catch an exhibition or join a guided tour at this modern temple to books. One of the most important private libraries in the world, it includes first editions of Shakespeare, Molière and the Gutenberg Bible among its 150,000 volumes.

With 12 bookshops in six cantons hosting events galore, Payot is an institution – though its Geneva Rive Gauche space with its light-drenched café, English-language section and Saturday storytelling events for children deserves a special mention.

Opened in 2014, this stunningly designed library houses a multilingual and multicultural collection of 65,000 books as well as hosting exhibitions, literature events and writers in residence.