Katharina Sand

In these digital times, real, beautifully designed books have become badges of authenticity that people seek out, share and celebrate. From mammoth chain stores rammed with the latest English-language titles to quirky independents perfect for an afternoon’s browsing and architecturally amazing archives to humble literary retreats, here’s our pick of the best stores, sights and hangouts across the country for fans of the printed word

Art Basel is back this week, running from June 12 - 17, with the whole city hosting incredible artwork, fun-filled events and a gaggle of famous faces, as well as members of the public, getting involved in Basel's world-famous festival of art.  Hundreds of artists will be displaying the works in the city's galleries and event spaces, with a seemingly endless list of events happening. To help you on your way we've put together a guide to 9 events that are not to be missed... 

It isn’t just the improving weather that makes spring worth going outside for – there are also tons of amazing exhibitions and artsy goings-on that you need to go and investigate. From timeless work by masters like Picasso to modern dance to book fairs to cutting-edge contemporary art festivals, there’s a wealth of wonderfully arty things to do going on throughout some of the country’s best museums and galleries in spring 2018. We’ve picked out the very best events below to satisfy even the most discerning culture vultures.

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.

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

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. 

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.

Founded by the stylish Claudia Desax, this uber-artsy concept store hosts a curated selection of exquisite fashion and objects in Zurich’s Europaallee. With items from UK-based avant-garde label Marques’Almeida, Korea’s Wooyoungmi, edgy menswear brand E Tautz and Swiss leather designer YVY, craftsmanship is always key. Each stitch and ruffle reflects the unique perspective of the owner, who abhors anything too obvious or slinky.

Forget Williamsburg. If you like your vinyl obscure, your music live, and your coffee good, there’s a place not far from Geneva’s flea market you should probably check out. Browse through the records, CDs and mixtapes and have a cuppa with the members of the Bongo Joe collective. This bunch of laid-back music aficionados are obsessed with rare instruments, voices and machines.

It all started when interior designer Aleli Leal and cook Kaspar Fenkart were searching for the perfect scissors – and ended up opening their own shop selling the most harmoniously designed everyday objects. Charlotte Perriand lamps float over stand-out staplers, while bottles of heartwarming gin and brandy sit next to perfect tea towels – the selections are so serene and functional you’ll want to ditch all your old tools. Surprising tidbit: its irresistible cheese knives were designed in 1925 by Norwegian carpenter Thor Bjørklund.