Musée suisse de l’appareil photographique

About the museum

The impetus came in 1971 from a major retrospective on the history of photography in Vevey, based on the collection of Michel Auer. Its success prompted the wish for a camera museum of its own. Founded by Claude-Henry Forney, it opened to the public in 1979 in an apartment at Grande Place 5.

In 1989 the museum moved into an 18th-century building on the Ruelle des Anciens-Fossés, which the architect Hugo Fovanna restored. The decisive factor in choosing it was a historic underground passage to the neighbouring house on the Grande Place, which later allowed the museum to be extended. This extension was realised in 2001 under the direction of the architect Joël Brönnimann, so that old and contemporary architecture now interlock.

The museum's mission is to preserve a coherent technical heritage that reflects the history of photography from its beginnings to the present day, and at the same time to document the techniques and skills of photography in all its fields of application. Particular attention is paid to cameras, accessories and processes made in Switzerland. A foundation supports the museum in this work, and a friends' association is among its co-founders.

The permanent exhibition follows the development from Nicéphore Niépce's process to the digital image and also presents the lives of photographers. It includes projections, videos and interactive stations.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on the history of photography from its beginnings to the digital revolution
• Cameras and accessories from the beginnings to the present, including Swiss-made items
• Photo lab with workshops for visitors
• Magic lantern and a late 19th-century studio model
• 18th-century old-town house with a modern extension

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung: Des origines à la révolution numérique – The exhibition traces the history of photography from its beginnings to the digital revolution, with cameras, processes and portraits of photographers' lives, as well as a magic lantern and a photo studio model.

Founded

1979

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On the first weekend of each month, admission to Vevey's municipal museums is free

Prices in CHF; day admission to the exhibitions.

Accessibility

• 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

Access at street level and by lift.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Interactive stations, projections and videos for young audiences; activities for children and a photo lab; birthday parties from age 5 (up to 10 children, CHF 185).

Getting there & parking

The Place du Marché is currently a construction site; the museum remains open.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with books, cameras and items for children and adults

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Special evening openings for companies at CHF 100 per hour

Plan your visit