Have you seen Gare Cornavin’s new look?
After a multi-year renovation, Geneva’s main train station re-opened its main hall last week, and I decided to check it out. Not every part of the renovation is finished; some stores will open in over the summer, and the “official” grand opening is not until September. Nevertheless, most major construction is complete.
The renovated main hall and connected areas boast stores such as The Body Shop, Payot, Starbucks, Subway, Edelweiss Shop, Fleuriot Fleurs, 5àSec, Orange, Relay Kiosque, Drinks of the World, and more. A new ticket area is opposite a new luggage storage and baggage area. Mural paintings in the main hall have been re-installed, and new windows flood the station with natural light.
The renovations at Cornavin bring Genevois an important resource to the center of town: a grocery store open seven days a week. The Cornavin Migros, like the Migros at the Geneva airport, will be open on Sundays.
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Living In Geneva 
This is all great news. I agree the renovation of the train station is a warm, modernized welcoming to tourists. While I can see almost every possible need and convenience is available, from banking, postal, hair dressing, shopping etc, I am just disappointed that the engineers were not able to put toilet facilities at the arrival level or even on the main ticket-purchasing, restaurant level. Many parents with children and elderly visitors, as well as those carrying skis, boots, bikes and baggage, find it difficult too descend to the garage level. Personal safety and security of possessions is indeed compromized. I discussed this point with the newly located Starbucks last week and was informed it was the problem most frequently dealt with by their clientel.
F.Rogers
Thanks for your note, Fay. The lack of toilets on the main and/or arrival level is indeed a surprising oversight given all the other bells and whistles that were added to the updated station. Visitors to Geneva should be aware of the need to seek out toilets on the lower level and the challenges that may present.