Château de Nyon

About the museum

The castle goes back to a fortified house built by the lords of Cossonay-Prangins in the mid-12th century. In 1293 it passed to the Counts of Savoy, who extensively rebuilt it from 1360 and added, among other things, two lake towers. After the Reformation the Bernese took over rule; between 1574 and 1583 they had the building remodelled into its present form. After the Vaud revolution, the town of Nyon bought it from the young canton in 1804. It served as a court, meeting place of the municipal council and prison; the cells remained in use until 1979.

The museum begins in 1860, when a society of enthusiasts was founded in Nyon that collected antiquities, documents, coins and other objects. The town took over the collections and displayed them on the ground floor of the castle; the museum has been housed here since 1888. It is among the earliest history museums in Switzerland. In 1947 a major exhibition on Nyon porcelain made the museum the “Musée historique et des porcelaines”.

The Nyon manufactory existed from 1781 to 1813 and became famous for the whiteness and translucency of its porcelain. The museum collects it systematically. After the castle's restoration from 1999 to 2006, the museum occupied the entire building. Since 2020 the porcelain display “Porcelaines !” has been redesigned as part of the permanent exhibition, and additions such as the dessert service “à vues de Suisse” are being made.

The tour also includes the cells of the former prison and the attic, which are additionally offered as virtual visits on the website.

Highlights

• Collection of Nyon porcelain (manufactory 1781–1813) with the dessert service “à vues de Suisse”
• Prison floor with cells used until 1979
• Roof structure and castle history from the Cossonay-Prangins via Savoy to Bern
• Children's activities such as a tour for toddlers from age 2 and birthday parties
• Combined ticket for the three museums of Nyon

Permanent exhibition

• Porcelaines ! & Le service à dessert « à vues de Suisse » – Presentation of Nyon porcelain from the manufactory of 1781 to 1813, largely from recent purchases and bequests, supplemented by a dessert service with Swiss landscape views.

Founded

1860

Operated by

Stadt Nyon

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month

The ticket is a combined ticket for the three museums of the town of Nyon (Château de Nyon, Musée du Léman, Musée romain) and is valid for one year. Free admission for Amis des Musées de Nyon, with the Swiss Museum Pass, Swiss Travel System and Raiffeisen member card; CarteCulture Caritas: free admission and 50 percent discount on paid adult activities. Card payment possible.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

The prison floor and attic are not accessible to people with reduced mobility; for the ground floor, prior registration at reception is requested. A lift in the courtyard (not freely usable, only accompanied by staff) leads to the wedding hall.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Tour “Dans les pattes des animaux” for toddlers from age 2 (30 minutes of activities), children's birthday parties from age 4 with several themes (knights, prison, porcelain decoration, treasure hunt), virtual prison visits for children. Pushchairs must stay at reception; baby slings are recommended.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 45 guests.

Wedding hall on the second floor with a maximum of 45 people (35 seated, 10 standing); for larger weddings, a hall in the Ferme du Manoir (100 people).

Plan your visit