Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Genève

About the museum

The roots of Geneva's collections go back to the time of the Reformation. For centuries the holdings moved between various places in the city, including the library, the drawing school, the town hall, the arsenal and the Musée Rath, because there was never enough space anywhere. They were built up almost exclusively by citizens, whose donations and bequests formed the foundation.

At the end of the 19th century the idea of a large central museum prevailed, intended to unite the city's archaeological, decorative-arts and art collections under one roof. In 1910 the building on the edge of the old town was inaugurated, a neoclassical structure by the Geneva architect Marc Camoletti with an inner courtyard housing the Lapidarium.

Space soon ran short again, so branches gradually emerged: the Art and Archaeology Library (1928), the Musée Ariana, the Cabinet of Graphic Art (1952), the Museum of Clocks and Watches and Jewellery (1972) and the Maison Tavel (1986). Today the collection comprises around 650,000 objects from about 15,000 years, from archaeology, painting, sculpture and graphic art to decorative arts, coins, clocks and watches, and jewellery.

The building is considered in need of renovation; after an international architectural competition in 2024/25, the design "Umwelt" was selected for extension and restoration. The museum remains in operation until then.

Highlights

• Beaux-Arts tour with the masterpieces of the collection
• Antiquities from Egypt, Greece and Rome as well as regional archaeology
• Genevan landscape painting and the collection of clocks, watches and jewellery
• Neoclassical building from 1910 with inner courtyard and Lapidarium
• Late opening on Thursdays until 9 pm

Founded

1910

Operated by

Ville de Genève

Director

Marc-Olivier Wahler

Admission & discounts

Admission is pay-what-you-wish ("Paie ce qu'il te plaît"): visitors pay at the ticket desk the amount they consider appropriate, at the beginning or the end of the visit. As a guideline, the museum notes that admission to Geneva museums usually ranges between CHF 5 and 20. This also applies to the Maison Tavel and the Musée Rath. Some events are subject to a charge or require registration.

Accessibility

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

A step-free alternative entrance with a bell and intercom is at Boulevard Jaques-Dalcroze 9 (opposite the Saint-Antoine car park); the main entrance has large steps. Inside, lifts and lifting platforms help. Tactile and audible floor plans ("Virtuoz") for the art route, tours for blind and visually impaired guests, video guides in sign language, tours in plain language and tours for people with dementia. The museum holds the "Culture inclusive" label.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area: not available

Regular programmes for families and children: tours for children aged 3 to 5, the "Musée à quatre pattes" for babies from 3 months to 2 years, family tours and a reading club for children from 6 (CHF 3 for children, CHF 5 for adults, with registration), as well as family days during school holidays. Pushchairs are allowed; lifts, ramps and lifting platforms help with the steps. Some toilets have changing facilities; there is no play room, but the Parc de l'Observatoire opposite is a good place to play.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Restaurant Le Barocco in the building (independently run, Tuesday–Sunday 11:45 am–6 pm, Thursdays from noon; reservations +41 22 418 26 82). "Books & Co." bookshop with reading corners and a mobile shop, as well as a museum shop at the entrance. Lockers in various sizes; tokens are available free of charge at the ticket desk.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 460 guests.

Available for hire are the inner courtyard (640 m², up to 460 people), the conference hall (235 seats), the GamMAH room (up to 80 people) and the vaulted cellars of the Maison Tavel. Enquiries to location.mah@geneve.ch.

Plan your visit