musée international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge

About the museum

The idea for a museum of the Red Cross movement arose in 1963 for the 100th anniversary of the International Committee of the Red Cross. In 1975, ICRC delegate Laurent Marti revived the idea and proposed showing the history of humanitarian aid before and after the founding of the Red Cross; the ICRC director general agreed. In 1979, an architectural competition was held for a building on the Pregny hill near ICRC headquarters, which was won by a team led by Pierre Zoelly, Georges Haefeli, and Michel Girardet. The museum foundation was established in 1981, and the foundation stone was laid in November 1985.

On October 29, 1988, the museum opened to the public, initially directed by its founder Laurent Marti. Under Roger Mayou, it was expanded and completely redesigned; after two years of construction, it reopened on May 18, 2013. Since 2019, Pascal Hufschmid has directed the institution.

Between 2026 and 2028, the permanent exhibition will be gradually transformed into an "in/permanent" exhibition while the museum remains open. It will show the past, present, and future of humanitarian work by the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and will be completed in 2028 for the museum's 40th anniversary and Henry Dunant's 200th birthday. New features include the "Agora," a meeting place in the center of the exhibition. Visitors can leave their answers on postcards to the key question about the importance of humanitarian action.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the history and present of humanitarian aid
• New "Agora" as a meeting and discussion space (since September 15, 2026)
• Guided tour with audio description for blind and visually impaired visitors
• Museum gardens and terrace of the café
• Open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung „L'Aventure humanitaire“ (Umbau „Vision 2028“) – Tells the story of humanitarian action since the 19th century; is being gradually transformed from 2026–2028 into a new exhibition on the past, present, and future of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, with the Agora as a meeting place.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Fondation du Musée international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge

Director

Pascal Hufschmid

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to the combo ticket for permanent and temporary exhibitions. Every first Sunday of the month ("Dimanches solidaires"), all visitors receive reduced prices; for each ticket purchased, a "hanging" ticket is created for social associations. Free admission includes museum friends card, ICOM, AMS, press pass, Raiffeisen, Geneva City Pass, Swiss Museum Pass, Swiss Travel Pass, and art card, as well as for ICRC and IFRC employees.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

The entire building is accessible; exhibitions are reached by elevator or stair lift. Two wheelchairs and folding stools available at the cash desk. A disabled parking space is located in the staff parking lot at Avenue Appia 2. Blind and visually impaired visitors can borrow an audio guide describing rooms and objects (1.5 hours); "image whisperers" provide accompaniment upon request. The website has content in easy language, and sensory bags are provided free to students with special needs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Audio guide available in French in versions for children, teenagers, and adults; a youth booklet for children up to 13 years old is available in French and English at the cash desk. The "Dimanche solidaire" on the first Sunday of the month features workshops for children.

Getting there & parking

Bicycle parking with 40 spaces in front of the museum. Bike path on Avenue de la Paix to the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café HINIVUU with terrace in the entrance area (Tue–Fri 10–5 p.m., Thursdays until 9 p.m., Sat/Sun 11 a.m.–3 p.m.). Museum shop; free lockers.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The 2024-renovated reception rooms (including Salle Henry Dunant, Atelier) can be rented for conferences, seminars, cocktails, and screenings; catering via Café HINIVUU.

Plan your visit