Musée d’art et d’histoire de Neuchâtel

About the museum

The museum traces back to two institutions: in 1884 the “Musée des Beaux-arts” opened to a design by the architect Léo Châtelain to house the paintings of the city of Neuchâtel. From 1885 the city's historical museum, which combined historical, archaeological and ethnographic collections, moved into the ground floor. Ethnography left the building in 1904, archaeology in 1952. Since 1989 both units have shared the name “Musée d'art et d'histoire”. In 1952/53 two extensions by François Wavre were added.

Particularly famous is the staircase with monumental paintings by Léo-Paul Robert and architectural decoration by Clément Heaton, regarded as one of the most important total works of art. The fine art collection goes back to a donation of 1816 and includes graphic art, painting and sculpture, among them the Amez-Droz bequest (1979) and the Jeunet donation (2000). The history department brings together history, applied arts and numismatics; its showpieces include the Jaquet-Droz automata, advertising material from Suchard-Tobler, Indienne fabrics and art medals.

Today the permanent exhibition “Mouvements” presents the collection from the perspective of movement and migration. The museum also includes the “Galeries de l'histoire” in the courtyard of the Hôtel DuPeyrou, where historical models of the city of Neuchâtel can be seen.

Highlights

• Jaquet-Droz automata: the Writer, the Musician and the Draughtsman (demonstrations on the 1st Sunday of every month)
• Staircase as a total work of art by Léo-Paul Robert and Clément Heaton
• Permanent exhibition “Mouvements” on migration, trade and art
• Ruckers harpsichord
• Historical city models in the Galeries de l'histoire
• Sculptures on the Esplanade

Permanent exhibitions

• Mouvements – The permanent exhibition sheds light on Neuchâtel's relations with the world: migration, trade and artistic creation as reflected in the collection.
• Automates Jaquet-Droz – The three famous automata, the Writer, the Musician and the Draughtsman, from 1768–1774; public demonstrations on the 1st Sunday of the month.
• Treppenhaus des Museums – A total work of art with murals by Léo-Paul Robert and architectural decoration by Clément Heaton.

Founded

1884

Operated by

Stadt Neuenburg (Ville de Neuchâtel)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on Wednesdays

Free admission, among others, with the museum card of the Neuchâtel museums (CHF 40/year), AG culturel, Raiffeisen card, “20 ans 100 francs”, Neuchâtel Tourist Card and for members of Visarte. The automata demonstrations on the 1st Sunday of the month (2, 3 and 4 p.m.) are included in the admission.

Accessibility

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

According to the museum, it is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility: please call ahead (+41 32 717 79 25) or use the bell at the bottom right of the large staircase; lift, folding stools and accessible toilets available. Easy-to-read guide (FALC) at reception.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Creative workshops for children, baby workshops for 0–4-year-olds with parents, discovery booklets (“Parcours découverte”, ages 6–12) and the children's audio guide “Le musée sonore”. If needed, the team will help with the pushchair.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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