Visiting Museums & Monuments in Geneva

Art, archeology, history, sports and architecture... Find out how to make the most of the museums in Geneva and the rest of Switzerland using various discount passes and packages.

In French-speaking Switzerland and neighbouring France there are a number of museums as well as a large number of art galleries representing art, archaeology, local history, crafts, and cultural heritage. Geneva itself has over 40 private and public museums. Opening hours can vary and are best checked with the local tourist office.

For a list of museums and monuments in the Geneva area see The AngloFILE: Museums & Monuments

Museum Passes

There are various discount passes and packages:

Swiss Museum Passport (Passeport Musées Suisses): This pass allows visitors entrance to over 420 museums in Switzerland. The pass, which allows free entry, is sold at participating museums, tourist offices and online.

For a list of participating museums: Click here (PDF)
Or buy online: Click here

Private Museums of Geneva Passeport (Passeport Musées Privés de Genève): This museum pass allows visitors entrance to the seven private museums in Geneva for a fixed price and is valid for three months. It is available from the Geneva Tourist Office or from the participating museums.

For further information and a list of participating museums: Click here

Carte 20 Ans: Available to anyone aged under 21 in the Geneva canton and the Annemasse agglomération, this card entitles the card holder to benefit from reductions at museums, shows, theatres, festivals, exhibitions and cinemas. The card can be bought at anytime and is then valid until the person's 21st birthday.

For further information: Click here (in French)
For a list of sales outlets: Click here

Museums in Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel and Neighbouring France

There are a great number of museums in the region, here are just a few.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum (Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge): The museum chronicles the history and the work of the Red Cross and pays tribute to the heroes of the world's first humanitarian organisation.

At: 17 Avenue de la Paix, 1202 Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)22 748 95 25
Website
Open: Every day from 10:00-17:00 except Tuesdays

International Museum of the Reformation (Musée International de la Réforme): The museum has a collection of rare books, engravings, objects and paintings that highlight Geneva's ties to the Reformation.

At: Cour Saint-Pierre, 4 rue du Cloître, 1204 Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)22 310 24 31
Fax: +41 (0)22 310 74 45
e-mail
Website
Open: Every day from 10:00-17:00 except Tuesdays

The Patek Philippe Museum: A collection of timepieces from around the world. The museum has two collections on display; an antiques collection with Swiss and European watches from the 16th to the 19th century and a collection of watches designed and created by Patek Philippe since its formation in 1839 to the present day. Also music boxes, miniature portraits and pistols. The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions.

At: 7 Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers, 1205 Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)22 807 09 10
Website
Open: Tuesday to Friday 14:00-18:00, Saturday 10:00-18:00

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain - MAMCO): A collection of works from the 1960s to the present day including paintings, sculptures and photographs. Regular temporary exhibitions are organised.

At: 10 Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers, 1205 Geneva
Tel: +41 (0)22 320 61 22
Website
Open: Tuesday to Friday 12:00-18:00, Saturday and Sunday 11:00-18:00

Olympic Museum (Musée Olympique Lausanne): Museum representing the impact and importance of the Olympic spirit throughout history. Exhibits include a Greek area and written, visual and graphic memory of athletes and host countries.