Château de Grandson
The castle on Lake Neuchâtel presents a thousand years of history up to the Burgundian Wars in its permanent exhibition, opened in 2026.
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About the museum
The first tower of Grandson Castle was built around the year 950 by the Lords of Grandson. In the 13th century Otto I of Grandson had the complex expanded into a large four-winged fortress with four round corner towers, which still define its silhouette today. In 1476 the castle was besieged and set on fire by Charles the Bold; shortly afterwards the Swiss Confederates defeated the duke in the famous Battle of Grandson. Afterwards Bern and Fribourg administered the lordship jointly and alternately sent bailiffs.
After 1798 the castle served at times as a district prison, hospital and tobacco factory; from 1835 it was in private hands, where a first small museum was already established. In 1875 it was restored in a historicising style. From 1956 the Geneva entrepreneur Georges Filipinetti housed his collection of historic automobiles and weapons here. In 1983 the SKKG foundation of the Zurich collector Bruno Stefanini acquired the castle and reopened it to the public on 1 August.
From 2011 to 2026 the castle was comprehensively restored and completely redesigned as a museum; the Fondation du Château de Grandson operates it, and the SKKG is the owner. The new permanent exhibition “Grandson : 1000 ans d’histoire” extends over more than 1,000 square metres, 15 rooms and four floors and follows three guiding questions: why such a large castle, how Grandson made history and who still needs a castle today.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition “1000 ans d’histoire” on four floors
- Chapter on the Burgundian Wars and Charles the Bold
- Medieval fortress with four round corner towers on Lake Neuchâtel
- Sensory trail with nine animals for children aged 2 to 8
- Monthly guided tour and family workshops
Permanent exhibition
- Grandson : 1000 ans d’histoire – Permanent exhibition over more than 1,000 square metres, 15 rooms and four floors, from the first tower complex around 950 through the Burgundian Wars to the castle’s conservation today, with models, projections and audio stories.
- Operated by
- Fondation du Château de Grandson
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 16 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 14AHV, IV, unemployed, students, seniors, apprentices and Swiss military in uniform |
| Children & teens | CHF 8free up to age 4 · Children and young people aged 5 to 15; children under 5 enter free. |
| Seniors | CHF 14Seniors and AHV |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 14IV |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 14Students and apprentices |
| Groups | –Group and school activities by reservation only (at least two weeks in advance, up to 25 persons); admission at the group rate (CHF 2 less than the individual rate) is added to the activity, for school classes it is included in the activity price. |
| Families | CHF 382 adults and up to 3 children aged 5 and over |
| Guided tour for groups (1 hr 15 min, up to 25 persons) | CHF 180Plus admission at the group rate; school classes CHF 120 including admission |
| Children’s birthday party (2 hours, up to 12 children) | CHF 300Activity and snack, two accompanying adults included |
Admission covers the castle, the permanent exhibition and the temporary exhibitions; special rates may apply for events. Free admission applies to, among others, holders of the Raiffeisen card and the Swiss Museum Pass, members of AMS, ICOM and AACG, residents of Grandson and persons with permit S, N or F.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Around 80 percent of the exhibition route is accessible to people with reduced mobility thanks to a lift and lifting platforms; accessibility of the entire tour for electric wheelchairs cannot be guaranteed, an accompanying person is recommended. Dogs are not permitted in the castle, except assistance dogs.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | CHF 38 · 2 adults and up to 3 children aged 5 and over |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly: not available
- Baby changing facilities
- Kids’ birthday parties
The main tour is aimed at children aged 8 and over; for children aged 2 to 8, nine animals lead through a sensory trail with wooden boxes to explore. Prams and back carriers are not permitted in the castle for safety and accessibility reasons (cloakrooms at reception). Changing tables in the toilets. By reservation there are family workshops such as “Bâtir une forteresse” (ages 10–14) and “Archéologues en herbe” (ages 8–12) as well as children’s birthday parties.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Grandson, place du Château
Bus 625, 630 and 635 to “Grandson, place du Château”; 7 minutes on foot from Grandson station (SBB). Public bicycle parking nearby.
By car
Parking available
Castle car park with a limited number of spaces; public car parks at the Place du Château and the Chemin du Lac.
Amenities & dining
- Coat check
Cloakroom at reception.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Weddings, seminars, conferences, birthdays and private receptions in the castle’s rooms.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tour of the month on selected Sundays at 2 p.m. (ages 10 and up, according to the agenda). Groups and schools book tours, workshops, stories and puzzle games with facilitators at least two weeks in advance. |
