musée d'histoire des sciences de la Ville de Genève

About the museum

The Musée d'histoire des sciences was founded in 1964 by a circle of science enthusiasts who joined together in the "Association for the Museum and the Journal of the History of Science". The impetus came from an exhibition on the history of science at the Musée Rath. Initially the museum was attached to the Musée d'art et d'histoire; since 2006 it has belonged to the Muséum d'histoire naturelle de Genève.

It is housed in the Villa Bartholoni, a neoclassical building of 1830 on the shore of Lake Geneva. It was designed by the architect Félix-Emmanuel Callet as a summer residence for the Parisian bankers Constant and Jean-François Bartholoni. It stands in the Parc de la Perle du Lac and was thoroughly restored between 1985 and 1992.

The collection is unique in Switzerland: it brings together instruments from the cabinets of Geneva scholars of the 17th to 19th centuries, including Saussure, Pictet, de la Rive and Colladon. Part of these holdings came to the museum as a donation from the University of Geneva and the Observatory. In thematically arranged rooms on the ground floor and first floor, visitors encounter astronomy, microscopy, gnomonics, electricity and meteorology. In addition, the museum organises science cafés, lectures and, every two years in summer, the "Nuit de la science" in the park.

Highlights

• Unique collection of historical instruments of Geneva scholars spanning five centuries
• Neoclassical Villa Bartholoni of 1830 on Lake Geneva
• Science walk in the Parc de la Perle du Lac
• Free admission
• Discovery trails for families and free "Petits carnets"

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours permanent: Instrumente Genfer Gelehrter – Thematic rooms show scientific instruments from five centuries, for example on astronomy, microscopy, electricity and meteorology.
• Flânerie scientifique im Park – A science walk in the Parc de la Perle du Lac complements the museum visit.

Founded

1964

Operated by

Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Genève (Ville de Genève)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. School classes from the canton of Geneva attend guided workshops free of charge; for schools from outside the canton and private schools they cost CHF 50.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The listed building has no lift; only the ground floor is accessible to people with reduced mobility (the temporary exhibition rooms are on the first floor). A stair lift on the outside is operated on request at the lodge (+41 22 418 50 60). The toilets in the building are not wheelchair accessible; wheelchair-accessible toilets are available outside in front of the museum. Pushchairs cannot be taken into the exhibition rooms.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available

There are interactive stations throughout the building; free "Petits carnets" delve deeper into the instruments, and discovery trails are aimed at families. Pushchairs cannot be taken into the exhibition rooms.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Parc de la Perle du Lac on Rue de Lausanne.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Tuesdays and on 25 December and 1 January). The museum library is accessible on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 am to 12 pm and 2 to 5 pm.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 100 guests.

The Grand salon with loggia (up to 100 people) is available for hire.

Plan your visit