Plizio Visual Lab

Museum of Art and History

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
museum
—°1010
Museum of Art and History (Switzerland)

Weather…

Highlights of 2026

10

The Museum of Art and History (MAH) in Geneva is one of Switzerland's most significant and largest museums. Opened in 1910, it is housed in a monumental building designed by architect Marc Camoletti in the Tranchées district. The museum uniquely combines collections of archaeology, applied arts, and fine arts under one roof. Among its most renowned exhibits is 'The Miraculous Draught of Fishes' by Konrad Witz, a masterpiece of late Gothic painting. The archaeology department features major finds from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. With over 650,000 objects in its inventory, the MAH provides a comprehensive overview of Western cultural history from prehistory to the present day. Frequent special exhibitions complement the extensive permanent collection, making the museum a bustling center for the cultural scene in Geneva.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-104812171918141040
Rain mm987390751111009399769296106

📋 Practical info

📍
Address
Rue Charles-Galland 2, 1206 Genève
🕒
Hours
Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00, Thu until 21:00
💶
Entry
Free admission (permanent collection), special exhibitions require a fee
🚌
Transit
Bus 7 or 36 to Musée d'Art et d'Histoire stop.
🅿️
Parking
St-Antoine parking garage in immediate vicinity.
Accessibility
Fully accessible via ramps and elevators.
📷
Photos
Allowed without flash or tripod in permanent galleries.
Best time
Thursday evening for fewer crowds and extended hours.
🎧
Audio guide
German, English, French

Geography

Coordinates
46.20010, 6.15190

Facts

  • The museum was officially inaugurated on October 15, 1910.
  • The exhibition area covers approximately 7,000 square meters.
  • The collection includes more than 650,000 cataloged objects.
  • The building was constructed in the Beaux-Arts architectural style.
  • The Konrad Witz altar wings originally belonged to Geneva Cathedral.
  • The museum is recognized as a Swiss cultural property of national significance.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Museum of Art and History (10)

Pavillon d'entrée🏛 museum

Entrance pavilion of the Museum of Art and History in Geneva.

site archéologique du Bastion de Saint-Antoine🏛 museum

Archaeological site with remains of 16th-century city fortifications.

🕒 24/7 closed; opening planned summer 2027

Belvédère de l'Observatoire

Viewpoint on the observatory grounds overlooking Geneva.

Musée d'Art et d'Histoire🏛 museum

Art and history museum in Geneva, major collections from antiquity to modern times.

La Pierre-aux-Dames, Erratic Boulder

Large erratic boulder in Geneva, a glacial erratic.

Église Russe

Russian Cathedral in Geneva, Orthodox church with distinctive onion domes.

Église évangélique luthérienne de Genève

Evangelical Lutheran church in Geneva.

Yellow corner

Contemporary art gallery in Geneva.

L'Abri

Theatre in Geneva, venue for contemporary plays.

Auditoire de Calvin

Church building in Geneva, historic site of the Reformation.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What collections are there?
It displays archaeology, applied arts, and fine arts under one roof.
Is entry free?
Access to the permanent collection is often free in Geneva.
Is there a café in the museum?
Yes, the café „Le Bar du Musée” provides a lovely terrace in the courtyard.
Can I take photos without flash?
Yes, photography for private purposes is usually allowed without flash.
How much time should I plan for the visit?
For a good overview, we recommend at least 2 to 3 hours.
Museum of Art and History: where is it located?
Museum of Art and History is located in Switzerland.
Museum of Art and History: what is there to see?
Highlights include Pavillon d'entrée, site archéologique du Bastion de Saint-Antoine, Belvédère de l'Observatoire.
Museum of Art and History: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Museum of Art and History: why is it worth visiting?
The Museum of Art and History (MAH) in Geneva is one of Switzerland's most significant and largest museums.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Switzerland →

Nearby cities