musée d'ethnographie de Genève
Geneva ethnology museum with free permanent exhibition of world cultures in a modern building on Boulevard Carl-Vogt.
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About the museum
The Musée d'ethnographie was founded by the City of Geneva in 1901, but its collections are much older. As early as 1702, the library of the Collège collected first gifts from nature and art in a cabinet of curiosities; the objects later passed to the Academic Museum founded in 1818. From the 1860s onwards, curator Hippolyte Jean Gosse reorganized the holdings and strengthened interest in what was then called ethnography.
With the reorganization of the city's collections in 1901, holdings from the History Museum, mission societies and other donations came together. Initially, the museum was housed in Villa Plantamour in Parc Mon-Repos. Under Eugène Pittard, the collection grew rapidly; in 1941 it moved to a larger building at Boulevard Carl-Vogt 67, a former school. From 1976 to 2013, a satellite location at Conches provided a second venue for special exhibitions.
In 2014, the city decided on a new building on the esplanade of the old building at Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65. Zurich-based architects Graber Pulver designed a building that only shows a third of its area above ground; the majority is in two underground floors. Today the collection comprises around 80,000 objects; over 1000 of them are displayed in the permanent exhibition 'Archives of Human Diversity' with departments on five continents and ethnomusicology, recently redesigned as part of provenance research.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition 'Archives of Human Diversity' with over 1000 objects (free admission)
- Collections from Africa, Americas, Asia, Oceania and Europe
- Ethnomusicology department with instruments and archives of popular music
- Modern, mostly underground building with landscaped garden
- Café with Italian cuisine and terrace
Permanent exhibition
- Les archives de la diversité humaine – About 1000 selected objects from the collections on Asia, Africa, Oceania, Americas and Europe as well as an ethnomusicology department; since November 2024 with revised course addressing provenance research and decolonization.
- Founded
- 1901
- Operated by
- Ville de Genève
- Director
- Carine Ayélé Durand
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 25 · Up to 25 years free admission, also to special exhibitions. |
|---|---|
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companion (by reservation per email or phone or at cashier). |
| Groups | –Guided tour for adult groups: CHF 120 for 1 hour, CHF 150 for 1.5 hours (up to 25 people, online bookable only, at least two weeks in advance); admission to special exhibition added. Reduced price for groups of 12+ in special exhibition. |
| Special exhibition | CHF 12Reduced CHF 8 (AHV, unemployed, groups of 12+, city employees). |
Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month, free admission also to special exhibitions.
Access to the permanent exhibition is free; only special exhibitions charge admission. Free admission, among others, with ICOM ID, Raiffeisen card, Swiss Museum Pass, Geneva City Pass, Pass Musées de Genève, press pass, Chèque culture and CarteCulture as well as for members of the museum society SAMEG and social assistance recipients; proof at cashier, also for online tickets.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Ramps and two elevators provide access to all floors; seats and folding stools are available in exhibition rooms. Wheelchairs and strollers available free with ID deposit at cashier. The auditorium is equipped with an induction loop. Two disabled parking spaces in front of the esplanade (Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65–67). Tours and programs for visitors with disabilities on request (+41 22 418 45 15, publics.meg@geneve.ch). Listed on 'Culture accessible Genève' platform with rating 'AA+'.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 25 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Strollers allowed in all rooms, changing tables in toilets, high chairs in café. A quiet nursing room available on request. The program regularly includes offers for children and families, including an immersive course and family performances; school classes and daycare groups can book guided visits.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Musée d'ethnographie
Bus 2 and 19 to Musée d'ethnographie; bus 1 and 35 to École-Médecine; bus 1 to Plainpalais; tram 12, 17 and 18 to Plainpalais; tram 15 to Uni Mail or Plainpalais.
By car
Parking available
Parking Plainpalais (Boulevard Georges-Favon 46) and Parking Uni Mail (Boulevard Carl-Vogt 102). Two disabled parking spaces in front of the museum.
- Accessible parking
The museum strongly recommends arriving on foot, by bike or public transport.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
Café du MEG on ground floor, Tue–Sun 8:30–18:00, with Italian-inspired cuisine, Sunday brunch and terrace (tel. +41 22 418 90 86, reservation recommended). Free cloakroom and lockers in foyer (basement level 1; tokens at cashier), free WLAN. Online shop for books and recordings.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and video allowed, except for works in special exhibitions marked 'no photo'; flash usually permitted. |
| Good to know | Groups must register online even without a tour. Guided tours in French, on request also in English, German and Spanish. |
