Musée Fondation Zoubov
House museum in the Hôtel Sellon with around 500 art objects of the 18th century, visitable only on guided tours.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
After the early death of her daughter Tatiana in 1957, Countess Zoubov gave her collection, which she had housed on the ground floor of the Hôtel Sellon on Rue des Granges, to the State of Geneva in 1959. The Enlightenment-era town palace is considered one of the finest Geneva examples of its period. At first the furnished residence served as a reception venue for high-ranking guests of the canton; in 1973, with the founding of the Fondation Zoubov, the museum opened to the general public.
The countess did not want a conventional museum with display cases and themed walls, but an atmosphere of a living space recalling a luxurious 18th-century apartment, similar to the period rooms she had seen on her travels in Fontainebleau, London and Paris. The furnishings have remained as she arranged them in the late 1950s.
Around 500 pieces of furniture, paintings, clocks and art objects from East and West stand side by side in the salons. Special rooms include the grand salon, a dining room with paneling from a Scottish castle, the salon of Empress Catherine II and a Chinese salon with objects of the Qing dynasty. The museum belongs to the canton of Geneva and is also used there for receptions.
Highlights
- Around 500 art objects of the 18th century, staged as a residence
- Salon of Empress Catherine II and Chinese salon
- Dining room with paneling from a Scottish castle
- Enlightenment-era town palace in Geneva's Old Town
- Public guided tours on Wednesdays and Fridays
Permanent exhibition
- Sammlung Zoubov im Hôtel Sellon – The ground-floor salons display furniture, paintings, clocks and art objects of the 18th century, arranged as the countess set them up in the late 1950s.
- Founded
- 1973
- Operated by
- Kanton Genf (Fondation Zoubov)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 8Senior citizens (AHV pensioners) and students |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free up to age 18 |
| Seniors | CHF 8AHV and pensioners |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 8 |
| Groups (8+ people) | –Reduced rate for groups of 8 or more people; schools of the canton of Geneva free. |
The price includes admission and guided tour.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
The website lists guided tours for adults and families; children and young people up to 18 have free admission.
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.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum can only be visited during the weekly guided tours; online registration, with a maximum of 5 people per booking. Guided tours for associations and schools by email inquiry. |
