I'm in need of medium-sized (approx. 8 x 15 cm) white rectangular ceramic tiles, the type you may find on a kitchen or bathroom wall. I need around 75 for a research project for uni. In the United States, I would go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy as many as I needed, but here I'm not sure where to look. Ideally I would get single tiles rather than the type that are connected, but either would do. I live in Lausanne and have checked Jumbo with no luck. I've seen there are specialty flooring shops, but I expect I would have to get a quote and order a large quantity, which I imagine would be quite pricey. I don't need anything fancy. Any ideas where to look? Thanks in advance!

Hello, jumbo is more aimed at decoration, garden and tools. Construction materials are found on obi.ch or bauhaus.ch The word in French is mosaïque. If I remember well, the obi site is not fully translated to French in spite of having stores on French speaking cantons, thus look for mosaik.

Go to Hornbach in Etoy. They normally have a fairly good selection in stock.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/HO...17!4d6.4194676

Thank you both! I checked at Hornbach online and it was difficult to tell the size. I'll make a shopping trip to both and see what I can find!

really? you can even choose the length and width in cm to filter your selection!

for example 7.5x15 cm, white, high gloss

"Carrelage" is the more normal term, used as a mass noun == tiling, for the material, the finished product and the act of fitting it (faire du carrelage). The verb "carreler" is not often used, although the past participle is, as in "un sol carrelé" a tiled floor.

An individual tile would be "une tuile", but it's not often heard in this context.

Unfortunately not in stock at the moment but good idea. The OP will need to go and see what they have in stock.

I am used to hearing carreau (for one tile), carreaux (for more than one).

Tuile is used for roof tiles. Normally made from a type of clay or ciment/concrete.

I'm lazy and just go for latin/old greek words, mosaïque/mosaik it's the same in French, German and other dozen languages . No need to learn new words

Except that's used for little tiles (~2 cm x 2 cm) usually sold with a mesh backing holding a bunch together. Not what the OP is looking for.

OP, look on Ricardo or Tutti. You can usually find leftovers from projects for a good price. Also, do all of the tiles need to be identical? If not, go to a nearby "Platten" company. They almost certainly have leftovers from projects.

If you can wait until the borders open up for shopping, head over to France to a Brico Depot or the like. They normally will have cheaper options available.

I needed concrete tiles for a small project and went to the Hornbach near me. In a far corner, they had a bunch of samples -- including tiles such as described by the OP.

Don't know how I missed that search function, thank you!!




They do need to be identical, but thank you for the suggestion! I'll check out Ricard and Tutti, I hadn't thought of that.

When you are looking at what is available at Hornbach, don't ignore the 15x15 size. You can get someone to cut them in half for you without too much problem and it will not cost very much.

There is also someone on FB that is selling 36 white 15x15 for CHF 10.- that she purchased at Hornbach. She is located close to Neuchâtel. Link:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...83485865366172

You can also place an ad on Tutti with what you are looking for. I scan those ads sometimes to see if anyone needs some of the items left here by the previous owner.

Was in Hornbach Etoy today. Lots of selection of in-stock white tiles. Were you able to find what you needed?

Yes I did, they had (almost) exactly what I needed at Hornbach, I'm all stocked up for my project.