HISTORY

FROM CAFÉ DE L’EUROPE TO BRASSERIE EUROPE

In Geneva’s Saint-Gervais district, Brasserie Europe first opened its doors in the early 1950s, alongside the inauguration of the Plaza cinema and the Mont-Blanc Centre complex above it, which housed offices and commercial arcades. The name was a tribute to the original Café de l’Europe, which had stood on that very spot since the turn of the century, long before Genevan architect Marc J. Saugey constructed this post-war architectural jewel.

Like the rest of the Saint-Gervais neighborhood, this corner of the city was once home to numerous artisanal workshops specializing in watchmaking, goldsmithing, and other precision crafts. Brasserie Europe later became Le Mandarin, a Chinese restaurant that some may still remember today.

You can explore its history in greater depth in Elisabeth Chardon’s excellent article for La Couleur des jours, where the author meticulously delves into the archives of the Saint-Gervais district.