Château de Prangins

About the museum

Prangins Castle was built in the 1730s in the French style around a large cour d'honneur. In the century of the Enlightenment it was home to barons of the Guiguer family; Voltaire and Joseph Bonaparte also lived on the estate for a time. Later the château served as a boarding school, a place of education rather than aristocratic life.

In 1975 the cantons of Vaud and Geneva donated the château to the Swiss Confederation, fulfilling a long-held wish for a branch of the Swiss National Museum in French-speaking Switzerland. The estate was extensively restored, and since 1998 the Château de Prangins has been a museum showing Switzerland's more recent history from the 18th century onwards. Most recently, the reception rooms were restored to their original colours, with wall hangings and furniture of the 18th century.

The permanent exhibition "Noblesse oblige!" presents around 600 objects on life in the château in the 18th century; "What is Switzerland?" questions founding myths and clichés through around 300 objects. Further rooms show Indienne fabrics, masterpieces from the collection and a portrait gallery. The historical vegetable garden is the largest in Switzerland and preserves old vegetable varieties and fruits.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition "Noblesse oblige!" on life in an 18th-century château
• Permanent exhibition "What is Switzerland?" on myths and everyday life
• Largest historical vegetable garden in Switzerland, freely accessible
• Restored reception rooms in their original colours
• Café du Château with panoramic terrace

Permanent exhibitions

• Noblesse oblige! Leben auf dem Schloss im 18. Jahrhundert – Around 600 objects, wood panelling in original colours, textiles and the dining room show everyday life on an aristocratic estate in the Age of Enlightenment.
• Was ist die Schweiz? – Questions founding myths and clichés and contrasts them with the everyday life of the population from the 18th century to today, with around 300 objects and several sensory stations.
• Der Gemüsegarten – The largest historical vegetable garden in Switzerland preserves old regional varieties and is part of the European Route of Historic Gardens.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Schweizerisches Nationalmuseum

Admission & discounts

The vegetable garden and the Walk through the Enlightenment are freely accessible. Admission is also free (excluding workshops and special events) for holders of the Swiss Museum Pass and the Raiffeisen MemberPlus card, members of ICOM, ICOMOS and VMS, persons with permit N, S or F, military personnel in uniform, media professionals, and members of the Friends of the Château de Prangins and of the Landesmuseum Zürich. Discounted SBB RailAway combination ticket (20 percent off travel and admission).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Access for people with reduced mobility is via the west entrance (intercom at reception to lower the bollards); a reserved parking space and a parking space in the château courtyard are available for holders of the blue badge. The museum and café are accessible via a ramp, all floors can be reached by lift, and accessible toilets are located on the lower level. Not accessible are the room with the funicular in "Off on a journey!" and the hall with the château model in "Noblesse oblige!" (stairs). Two wheelchairs are available free of charge at reception, and folding seats are provided. Accompanied private tours on request; visiting aid in plain language (in French) for "Noblesse oblige!".

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children and young people up to 16 years old have free admission. Freely available booklets: "Noblesse oblige!" (ages 7 and up, free at reception), a garden booklet for children aged 4 and up, "Playful silhouettes!" (ages 7 and up, CHF 2.50). By reservation: children's birthday parties with workshops for ages 4–6 and 7–10, as well as children's workshops and school programmes.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A1: from Geneva take the Nyon exit, from Lausanne the Gland exit, then follow the signs. Self-service bikes (PubliBike) at the station and at the boat landing in Nyon.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Café du Château (Tuesday to Sunday 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sunday brunch buffet by reservation) with panoramic terrace in the former servants' wing; museum shop next to reception with books, gifts and honey from the château grounds.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

Three conference rooms: Salle des belles pierres (up to 100 people), Salle du Potager (up to 40) and Salle de la tour (up to 8). The Café du Château with terrace can be hired by groups of 20 or more for meals, banquets or aperitifs (up to 60 seats indoors, 150 standing on the terrace).

Plan your visit