Museum Tinguely

About the museum

Museum Tinguely opened in 1996, when Roche celebrated its centennial with a gift to the population of Basel. The foundation is the artist's estate: his widow Niki de Saint Phalle brought over 50 machine sculptures as well as numerous drawings and archival materials to the newly founded anniversary foundation. Roche has financed the operation of the house and the maintenance of the adjacent Solitude Park since opening.

Tessiner architect Mario Botta designed the building on the right bank of the Rhine. The elongated complex of five building bodies is located on the edge of Solitude Park; in the large central hall up to twenty machine sculptures can fit. Exhibition spaces are distributed over several levels, which can be reached, among other things, via a 'Rhine promenade', an elevated gallery with a view of the river.

Today the house possesses 218 sculptures, the largest collection of kinetic works by Tinguely, of which more than half are on display and mostly can be experienced in motion. Added to this is an archive with almost 1500 works on paper and a display studio on the second floor, where visitors can watch restorers maintain the moving works. The museum understands itself as the most comprehensive competence center worldwide for Tinguely's life and work and has presented more than 120 exhibitions since opening.

Highlights

• Largest collection of kinetic works by Jean Tinguely (218 sculptures)
• Machine sculptures that can be set in motion at the push of a button
• Display studio: watch restorers at work
• Museum building by Mario Botta on the Rhine, next to Solitude Park
• Bistro Chez Jeannot with terrace at the park

Permanent exhibitions

• La roue = c'est tout – Collection presentation in the large hall: Tinguely's delicate early works, the actions of the 1960s and the monumental late works, with the wheel as a common thread and many interactive stations.
• Schauatelier Konservierung & Restaurierung – On the second floor, visitors can watch restorers through a glass wall working on kinetic works.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Roche (Jubiläumsstiftung)

Director

Roland Wetzel

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Long Thursday: free admission 18:00 to 21:00.

According to the museum, free admission holders of Museums-PASS-Musées, Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen MemberPlus and Swiss Travel Pass, Colour-Key cards, ICOM members, students of the Art History Seminar, School of Design and HGK Basel, media professionals as well as refugees and asylum seekers with ID. Schools and day programs with registration. Time slots and online tickets are bookable.

Accessibility

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

The entire museum is wheelchair accessible; wheelchairs and folding chairs can be borrowed (reservation at +41 61 688 94 42). Disabled parking spaces at the entrance on Grenzacherstrasse. Public tours in sign language and for blind and visually impaired people (companions free), induction loops at events, texts in easy language on the collection.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties

Public family tour second and last Saturday of month (14–15 hrs), family Sundays for larger exhibitions, children's club (Wednesday, from 8 years, CHF 5), holiday workshops, activities booklet (from 6 years) and birthday parties (from 6 years, CHF 150). Strollers can be exchanged for a museum stroller.

Getting there & parking

From the Museum of Contemporary Art at St. Alban-Rheinweg, you can reach the Solitude Park and museum in about five minutes by Rhine ferry. The highway exit 'Basel Wettsteinallee' is closed until end of 2026; alternatives are 'Hochbergerstrasse' (A2) and 'Riehenring' (A3).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Bistro | Restaurant Chez Jeannot with about 80 to 100 seats and terrace to Solitude Park; museum shop with catalogs, design and family corner; lounge on first floor where eating and drinking is allowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 300 guests.

Banquets in Bistro Chez Jeannot for 35 to 100 people, aperitifs up to 100 people, with terrace up to 300 people; inquire with restaurant team (+41 61 688 94 58).

Plan your visit