Musée romain de Lausanne-Vidy
Archaeological museum on Lake Geneva with finds from Gallo-Roman Lousonna, a Mediterranean garden and an archaeological park next door.
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About the museum
Lausanne's first Roman museum was established in 1934 above the remains of a Roman villa in Vidy, on the site of the ancient settlement of Lousonna. Excavations there had uncovered the house with wall paintings and the centre of the vicus. The present museum was extended on the same site and reopened in November 1993.
The building encloses the walls of a stately ancient residential complex and stands in a Mediterranean-style garden, just a few steps from the lake. It is classified as a cultural property of national significance and is one of the museums of the City of Lausanne.
The permanent exhibition shows the most important pieces of the collection: dice made of bone, a gold ring, glass vials and other everyday objects that bring to life the Gallo-Roman settlement on Lacus Lemannus. At the same time it asks what the period of Roman integration, new technologies and long-distance trade has in common with present-day experiences. An interactive area presents current research and archaeological professions, including the ongoing excavations in the Prés-de-Vidy area. The museum also includes an archaeological park with the remains of the ancient forum.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition on Lousonna with everyday finds from the Gallo-Roman settlement
- Archaeological park with remains of the basilica and temple, view through eight periscopes
- Roman house with a Mediterranean-style garden
- Interactive area on current research and excavations
- Children's trail with the museum mouse Chizi
Permanent exhibitions
- Lousonna – The permanent exhibition shows finds from Gallo-Roman Lousonna and builds bridges between ancient and present-day everyday life.
- Les vestiges de Lousonna – Parc archéologique – In the archaeological park next to the museum, panels and periscopes show the most important buildings of the ancient centre.
- Founded
- 1934
- Operated by
- Stadt Lausanne (Ville de Lausanne)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 5AHV/IV recipients and holders of the CarteCulture (Caritas) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and young people under 18 have free admission. |
| Seniors | CHF 5AHV recipients. |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 5IV recipients. |
| Students & apprentices | freeStudents, apprentices and unemployed people have free admission. |
| Groups (6+ people) | CHF 5 per personPrice per person. |
| 3-day pass (with Collection de l’Art Brut and Musée Historique Lausanne) | CHF 12AHV/IV and CarteCulture: CHF 6. |
Free admission: On the first Saturday of every month, on International Museum Day and on European Heritage Days.
Free admission also with the Cultissime card and Swiss Museum Pass; EVAM groups free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- 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
Temporary exhibitions at ground level, permanent exhibition accessible by lift.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children's trail with leaflet and the museum mouse Chizi, walk in the archaeological park and programme for families. Children's birthday parties with workshops from age 4.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bois-de-Vaux
tl bus 24 to Siège du CIO; tl bus 25 to Bois-de-Vaux; tl bus 1 (Monday to Friday) to Bois-de-Vaux.
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 | Guided tours, workshops and themed tours for classes, families and groups are offered all year round. The permanent exhibition is also available as an English brochure to download. |
