What to see in Zurich ?

Zurich operates by its own rules: a city of banks and design, it has managed to transform its former factories in the Langstrasse district into a dense cultural hub without ever abandoning its relationship with water and punctuality. The Limmat runs through the centre with almost Swiss precision, connecting the old town to the lake shores where residents swim on weekdays as others might take the metro. This relaxed pragmatism, far from the cold image often attached to it, defines the city better than any façade on the Bahnhofstrasse.

September and October offer a rare balance between golden light on the lake and terraces still open, without the summer crowds. Two days suffice to understand the city, three if you plan a day at the Kunsthaus, recently enlarged, which truly deserves a visit. The tram remains the best way to get around: reliable and covering the entire centre. Avoid concentrating your stay on the Bahnhofstrasse, the shopping showcase that reveals little of what Zurich has genuinely to offer.