musée international de la Réforme

About the museum

The idea of a Reformation museum in Geneva dates back to 1949, when Pastor Max Dominicé initiated the project and later entrusted its realisation to Professor Olivier Fatio. In June 2000 the foundation was established to set up and run the museum; it opened its doors in 2005. It moved into the Maison Mallet, a townhouse built in 1723 by descendants of Huguenot refugees on the site of the former cloister of St. Peter's, where the people of Geneva adopted the Reformation in May 1536. The building belongs to the Protestant Church of Geneva, and the museum's rooms are rented.

The museum is a private, unsubsidised institution and the only secular institution devoted entirely to the history of the Reformation. Because the Reformation freed churches from splendour, relics and pictorial decoration, the collection consists mainly of portraits, books and documents, which two scenographers have staged with great imagination. In 2007 it received the Council of Europe Museum Prize.

After 21 months of renovation, it reopened on 27 April 2023 with new scenography. The permanent exhibition "Une histoire de la Réforme" follows, across nine rooms and areas on two levels, the beginnings of the Reformation, the Wars of Religion in France, imagery in the early Reformation, Geneva and Calvin, and the spread of Protestantism in the 17th to 19th centuries; the lower level deals with Protestant engagement today. On display are, among other things, two Luther portraits by Cranach and a personal letter from Calvin.

Highlights

• Two portraits of Luther by Lucas Cranach
• Personal letter from John Calvin
• Room with 244 Bibles and an area on the work of the Reformed Church today
• Audio guides in 14 languages and augmented-reality stations
• "Espace Saint-Pierre" combined ticket with cathedral, towers and archaeological site

Permanent exhibition

• Une histoire de la Réforme – Chronological and thematic tour through nine rooms and areas on the beginnings of the Reformation, the Wars of Religion, Geneva and Calvin, the spread of Protestantism and contemporary engagement; with works by Cranach and a letter from Calvin.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Fondation du MIR

Admission & discounts

Members of the AMIDUMIR friends' association have free admission. Payment is possible in francs and euros (change given in francs), with Twint and common bank cards.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

A ramp access is located on Rue de l'Évêché; visitors follow the signs on the building and register at the ticket desk for assistance (+41 22 310 24 31).

Kids & families

For school classes there is an educational dossier and guided visits; children under 7 do not pay admission.

Getting there & parking

From Cornavin station it is about a 20-minute walk.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

The ground-floor rooms of the Maison Mallet can be hired outside opening hours for dinners, conferences and seminars (up to 80 guests for an aperitif, 50 seats for a seated meal); the museum visit is included in the package. Enquiries to info@mir.ch.

Plan your visit