For hiking boots, they should give you ankle support and above all be really really comfortable. Also depends on what terrain you're using them for. You can get good advice from a shop like Cactus in Carouge.

What sort of hiking are you planning ? As you say, there is quite a lot of choice. For well made paths I've recently moved to trail shoes as they are much lighter but as Nicolas points out they don't offer ankle support (I've broken an ankle in the past so this can be important for me). However for anythign on the Saleve or Jura hills they are great - for example for an evening run up to le Reculet.

If you are going to be covering rocky ground, say in the Alps between 2000m -> 3000m you need to go more to the other end of the spectrum, good sole and good support. I have a pair of leather Scarpa boots (with a goretex lining) which are 20 years old so good boots are an investment. As you are not sure what you are looking for I think Nicolas' idea of Cactus is good, but go when they are quiet as they are often very busy and it is a small shop.

However, if you've not done much hiking you might start with a cheaper boot then invest in a good second pair when you know a bit more. Getting a good fit is not always easy at first.

I think David's comment about starting off with cheap boots is good but it depends on what you are doing and you need to consider weight against rigidity.  Impossible to say you should buy a certain make.  What is good for one person is not necessarily good for another.  When you try them take your own socks with you for the fitting.  And agree Cactus but for the cheaper boots you could go to one of the big Migros stores (Sportex) or Gosport in France Vieux Campeur as well

  Spectacles - if off the shelf reading, then Interdiscount or Manor. Otherwise Fielmann on the rue de la confederation.  France - no idea if cheaper but <I would think the Swiss after sales service would be better.