Bibliothèque de Genève

Places you can work with a laptop that aren't cafés are important to me. Libraries are usually a great option, and this one is no exception. It's part of the University of Geneva but open to the public for free — walk in, find a table, get to work. No membership, no card, no fuss.

The building is beautiful and the atmosphere is genuinely quiet. The card catalogue wall alone is worth a look. Outside is Parc des Bastions — the old park that runs along the old city walls — so you can break for air without going anywhere ugly. A very nice place for a focused few hours.