Musée suisse de l’orgue

About the museum

The museum combines two aims: preserving a collection of historic organs and preserving an important building. It is housed in a 15th-century relay barn in Roche, between Montreux and Saint-Maurice. Already in the Middle Ages the canons of the Great St Bernard had set up resting places for pilgrims and travellers along the road to the pass. The barn belonged to the Relais de Roche, of which it is now the last remnant; it is preserved as it looked in the 18th century and has an impressive roof structure from that period.

After several restorations, the barn was able to house the organ museum's collections from 1983. The exhibition spans the range from the hydraulic organ (around 246 BC) through the Élysée organ, the Emmental organ, a cardboard organ, barrel organs, flute clocks and harmoniums to the great organ of Radio Lausanne. A case six metres high dates from 1778 and is by S. Scherrer. There are also devices for acoustic experiments.

The museum is run by the Association of Friends of the Swiss Organ Museum, which has over 750 members. Visitors experience the museum on tours led by the curator, who demonstrates the instruments and lets them be heard.

Highlights

• 23 centuries of organ history from the water organ to the radio organ
• 15th-century relay barn with an 18th-century roof structure
• Organ case from 1778, six metres high
• Guided tours with demonstrations of the instruments
• Summer concerts every Saturday after the tour

Permanent exhibition

• Sammlung historischer Orgeln – From the hydraulic organ of the 3rd century BC through the cardboard organ, barrel organs and flute clocks to the radio organ, the museum shows instruments from 23 centuries, along with devices for acoustic experiments.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Association des Amis du Musée suisse de l’orgue

Admission & discounts

Prices for public tours without reservation (including the special exhibition): adults CHF 10, juniors aged 6–16 CHF 5, families CHF 25. Raiffeisen member cards and the Museum Pass are accepted; for tours by reservation no discounts, vouchers or cards apply. Concerts: free admission, collection.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has two floors and no lift; a visit with a wheelchair or pushchair is not recommended, as only the ground floor would be accessible. Animals are not welcome, except guide dogs for the blind.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

A9 motorway, exit Villeneuve (16) or Aigle (17); then follow the brown signs “Musée de l’Orgue”.

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