Musée de Montreux
The local history museum, housed in two winegrowers' houses in the old town, tells the story of Montreux from prehistory to tourism and shows a large thimble collection.
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About the museum
The museum goes back to the Société du Musée, founded by the banker Julien Dubochet together with teachers and other prominent figures; its first general assembly took place on 2 February 1874. It initially created a natural history museum and a scientific library and organised lectures for public education.
The collections were housed in school buildings for a long time and increasingly developed into a history museum in the 20th century. Between 1914 and 1920 the society acquired a group of adjoining 17th-century winegrowers' houses at the entrance to the old town in the former village of Sâles. The houses, listed in the Vaud building inventory, show a rare architectural uniformity.
The collection includes coins, branding irons, planes and carpenters' tools, everyday objects, traditional costumes, photographs, prints and watercolours by the English painter Théodore Renkewitz, who lived in Montreux. Particularly well known is a collection of over 3,400 thimbles, which arose from a donation by Yvette Payot and, together with objects relating to lace, embroidery and weaving, fills a room of its own. The permanent exhibition “Histoire de Montreux” covers the history of the town and region.
Highlights
- 17th-century winegrowers' houses at the entrance to the old town
- Permanent exhibition “Histoire de Montreux” from prehistory to the present
- Over 3,400 thimbles, probably the largest collection of any Swiss museum
- Watercolours by Théodore Renkewitz
- Themes such as tourism, the hotel trade and famous guests
Permanent exhibition
- Histoire de Montreux – The permanent exhibition leads from prehistory to the present through the history of Montreux and its surroundings, with topics such as woodworking, sewing, famous guests and tourism.
- Founded
- 1874
- Operated by
- Société du Musée de Montreux
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 8 |
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| Reduced | CHF 5Disability insurance (IV) recipients, old-age pension (AHV) recipients, students, unemployed people, apprentices, holders of the BCV Maestro card |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 16 · Children up to 16 years have free admission. |
| Seniors | CHF 5AHV |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 5IV |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 5Students, unemployed people and apprentices |
| Riviera Card | CHF 4 |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month
Free admission for holders of the Raiffeisen card and for AMS and ICOM members.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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
According to its website, the museum is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 16 |
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- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Children up to 16 years pay no admission. The museum offers family and children's events such as a museum rally, workshops during school holidays and the “En famille aux Musées” programme.
Getting there & parking
The museum is located at the entrance to the old town of Montreux (Rue de la Gare 40); the website does not mention stops or parking.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The website advertises a rally, autumn workshops for children and humorous themed tours (“visites déjantées”); booking via the website's contact form. |
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