musée Ariana

About the museum

The museum goes back to Geneva collector and patron Gustave Revilliod (1817–1890). On his travels he collected art of all kinds, from paintings to coins and textiles to weapons and goldsmithing, and from 1877 had a palace built at the city edge, which stands between Italian palace and basilica and borrows from Renaissance and Baroque. It opened its doors in 1884; visitors came then over the lake and through the park to the museum.

Revilliod bequeathed the house to the City of Geneva along with the country estate and approximately 30,000 objects. When the large Musée d'art et d'histoire opened in 1910, visitor numbers declined; the house was assigned to MAH in 1934 and specialized in the arts of fire, thus ceramics and glass. Part of the park went to the League of Nations in the 1930s; that is why today one enters the museum from the rear. Since 1952 the International Academy of Ceramics has had its seat here, which expanded acquisitions to include non-European and modern ceramics.

Since 2010 the museum has again been independent and belongs to Geneva's city museums. Today it shows porcelain, faience, stoneware and glass from twelve centuries; approximately 92 percent of the collection comes from Switzerland or was collected there.

Highlights

• Reference exhibitions with rooms on journeys, blue and white, glass and stained glass
• Room 'Helvetica' with Swiss ceramics and porcelain
• Splendid entrance hall with marble colonnades and elliptical dome
• Tactile zone 'Entrée en matières' on craftsmanship and material
• Café with terrace and Mont Blanc views

Permanent exhibition

• Referenzausstellungen (thematischer Rundgang) – Rooms on journeys of porcelain ships, blue and white, glass and stained glass, Swiss ceramics ('Helvetica') and art and industry, plus Salon Revilliod and 'Entrée en matières' zone.

Founded

1884

Operated by

Ville de Genève

Director

Isabelle Naef Galuba

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission: First Sunday of each month free admission also to temporary exhibitions; on other Sundays admission for one (price).

Reference exhibitions with part of collection free, also gallery on 1st floor; only temporary exhibitions charge admission. Free admission also with museum friends card, ICOM, AMS, ISIC, Raiffeisen card, Swiss Museums Pass, Pass Musées genevois, Geneva City Pass, press card, Culture Check, social welfare receipt and school classes; proof at cashier.

Accessibility

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

Main entrance has 12 steps with handrail. Stepless access via paved path to freight elevator with bell on right side of building; staff accompany guests into house. All exhibition rooms accessible by elevator (without induction loop). Wheelchair and folding stool borrowed at cashier. Vehicles with disability ID may enter via gate with intercom to just in front of museum. 'Entrée en matières' zone invites to touch vases, tools and material. Museum held 'Culture inclusive' label 2020 to 2023. Escort from stops for visually impaired on request (+41 22 418 54 54).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Offerings for children and families year-round: pottery workshops for 2- to 4-year-olds and 5- to 7-year-olds, discovery courses with booklets ('At Table', 'Journeys', 'Helvetica', 'Blue-white', French/English) and free treasure hunt in park from 6 years (French, English, Spanish). Tactile zone invites to touch.

Getting there & parking

Blue zone along Avenue de la Paix abolished.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café 'Il caffè' on gallery 1st floor with terrace (Wed–Sun 11–16:45, Tel. +41 22 418 54 66); beverage and snack machine in entrance hall. Museum shop with bookshop on ground floor. Cloakroom with lockers in basement (1-CHF coin).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies: not available

Up to 350 guests.

Rented is the entrance hall for evening receptions (up to 350 people) and gala dinners (up to 220 people); gallery suitable for up to 50 people. Private celebrations such as weddings excluded, loud amplified music as well.

Plan your visit