Musée de la main UNIL-CHUV
Museum of science and cultural outreach on the body and perception with changing themed exhibitions, run by UNIL, CHUV and the foundation.
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About the museum
The Lausanne surgeon Claude Verdan (1909–2006) was a pioneer of hand surgery in Switzerland. During his career he gathered several hundred objects relating to the hand – paintings, sculptures, tools, writings. He wanted a museum of its own for this collection and founded the Fondation Claude Verdan for that purpose in 1981. As early as 1983 the Musée de l'Élysée showed a first exhibition as a preview of a hand museum.
For sixteen years the foundation searched for a location, and the collection was housed, among other places, in the Bishop's Palace and the former cantonal hospital. With the support of Maurice Müller, the Canton of Vaud and the foundation, the Musée de la Main de l'Homme opened in 1997. Today it is called Musée de la main UNIL-CHUV and is located on Rue du Bugnon next to the university hospital CHUV.
The house sees itself as a place of scientific and cultural outreach. It develops themed exhibitions at the intersection of science, culture and society and, with immersive, hands-on formats, invites visitors to look at the body, perception and knowledge anew. The Main collection with over 1,600 pieces is not shown in the exhibition rooms but lent to other institutions; in addition there is an art collection of contemporary works acquired for exhibition projects. At the Café de la main you can round off your visit.
Highlights
- Immersive and participatory themed exhibitions on the body, the senses and science
- Founded on the collection of the hand surgeon Claude Verdan
- Café de la main in the museum
- Educational program for schools, families and adults
- Founded
- 1997
- Operated by
- Fondation Claude Verdan, Universität Lausanne (UNIL) und CHUV
- Director
- Olivier Glassey
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 7Children 7–15 years, students, apprentices, unemployed, AHV/IV, RI card of the City of Lausanne, CarteCulture Vaud, ISIC |
| Children & teens | CHF 7free up to age 6 · Children under 7 free, 7 to 15 years reduced. |
| Seniors | CHF 7AHV recipients. |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 7IV recipients. |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 7Students and apprentices. |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 10 per personAdult groups from 10 paying people; reduced groups CHF 5 per person. Public Vaud schools free. |
| Families | –From three paying people: adults (aged 16 and over) CHF 10, children aged 7 to 15 CHF 5. |
| Discount with Théâtre Vidy card or Lausanne Transport Card | CHF 10 |
Free admission: Every first Saturday of the month.
Free admission with, among others, the Swiss Museum Pass, Swiss Travel Pass, Raiffeisen card, ICOM and museum association cards, press card, and for UNIL and CHUV staff. “Parrainages” offer: one free admission with every paid admission. Payment in cash or contactless by card from CHF 10; Twint is not accepted.
Accessibility
- 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
Pets are not allowed in the building, except guide dogs and assistance dogs.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
Changing table in the restrooms, children's high chairs in the Café de la main. The exhibitions are designed to be hands-on; programs for schools can be booked.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
CHUV
Metro m2 from Lausanne station toward Croisettes/Sallaz to CHUV.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
No parking in front of the museum; CHUV parking garage.
By car via the A1 toward Lausanne Nord, exit Vennes, then toward Hôpitaux; the museum is on Rue du Bugnon opposite the emergency room (Urgences-PMU).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
Café de la main (open like the museum, closed during exhibition changeover); bookshop/boutique with publications.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
The hall of the Café de la main (110 m²) can be rented for meetings, conferences and events, with projector and microphone.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum shows changing themed exhibitions, not a permanent exhibition; the collections are not on public display. The secretariat can be reached Tuesday to Friday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; activities cannot be booked by phone or email from Saturday to Monday. |
