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Top 10 Cool Facts about The Swiss Museum of Games

Located on the shore of Lake Geneva between the cities of Vevey and Montreux, the Swiss Museum of Games is dedicated to the preservation, research, and dissemination of various forms of parlor games.

The museum was officially inaugurated in 1987 and quickly made its place in the Swiss museum world.  It is the oldest of its kind in Europe, and with a collection of more than 10,000 games, it is one of the most famous games museums in the world.

Let’s look at the top 10 cool facts about the Swiss museum of games.

1. It is a Treasure Trove of Games

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The Swiss Museum of Games is a treasure trove of games played in different cultures around the world, from antiquity to the present.

Unlike many other museums in the world, the Swiss Museum of Games distinguishes the “game” from “toys”. Its collection includes classic games like Mahjong from China, Oware from Africa, and Pachisi from India.

The collection includes some unusual pieces like a Cold War spy table game and a collection of vintage slot machines. There are also card games, board games, puzzles, and casino games.

2. The Museum is Divided into 10 Parts

The permanent exhibition offers a panorama of the wide world of games from antiquity to the present and through various game typologies.

The exhibition is divided into 10 parts: Voyajeux (games from Africa, Asia, and South America), Back to the beginning (Ancient Games), European Games before the Industrialization Playing Cards – card games, The body at stake (skill games), and India – country of games.

Others are the games market, “Ye Olde Castle” – English Pub Games, Win the jackpot, (Lotteries and lotteries), and Outdoor games.

Since 2007, the museum has had a playful outdoor playground, which invites for a walk in the castle garden. The large family of outdoor games with or without equipment is also well represented in the museum.

3. The Museum Conducts Education Workshops

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In addition to the permanent exhibition and the temporary exhibitions, the museum offers educational workshops for children, adults, and businesses. A pedagogic contents file is available to teachers.

Regular events are also held, such as the international Awele tournament or the annual meeting of Swiss game developers. It should also be noted that the winners of the prototype of the competition “Premio Archimede” are shown in the museum.

Since 2009, in September, the Château du Jeu, a major event organized on a Sunday, brings together game publishers, gaming associations, game operators, and a large audience. The event takes place every year.

4. The Library Contains around 5,000 Game Related Books

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The Museum has a special library that contains around 5,000 game-related books. They contain a correspondence collection of Ken Whyld, an English historian of the chess game who died in 2003.

It is open to the public, and any interested persons can visit the library upon request. The museum’s vision is to bring together the different cultures of the world through something they share in common

Human beings have been playing games for thousands of years, starting with stone pieces, then beans, and becoming increasingly sophisticated and complicated as humankind did as well.

5. It is Housed in a Medieval Castle

The Swiss Museum of Games is housed in the Castle of Tour-de-Peilz which was built in the 13^th century. The castle was used as a defensive barrier by monitoring the maritime traffic on Lake Geneva and the customs.

It was destroyed in 1476 during the Burgundy Wars and acquired and rebuilt in 1747 by Jean Grésier, a French officer. At the beginning of the 20th century, an arcaded gallery and the main entrance tower were built.

The two corner towers, the enclosure, the city walls, and the trenches were classified as historical monuments in 1973. The castle is now preserved as a historical monument, offering stunning views.

6. The Swiss Museum of Games is Popular Tourist Stop

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The Swiss Museum of Games is a popular tourist stop thanks to the Museum itself, the historic castle, and spectacular lake views. The Museum offers guided tours, workshops, and space for private functions.

The Museum’s permanent collection consists of a vast array of antique and contemporary games from around the world. Visitors discover the history of ancient strategy, board, and card games and learn how those games have evolved over the years to what they are today.

While many of the oldest games are safely preserved behind glass, there are plenty of hands-on games for the entire family to enjoy.

7. The Museum is Children Friendly

Although the historic displays in the Swiss Museum of Games are clearly aimed at adults, toys behind glass are simply meant to entertain the young ones. There are also other activities for smaller children to enjoy at the museum and in the immediate vicinity too.

Due to the fact that most displays are not for touch, a few games are set aside for children to play with and a special teaching discover box is available at reception to make the museum more interesting for smaller children too. 

8.  It is Supported by The Friends of the Swiss Museum of Games Association

The museum is particularly supported by the Friends of the Swiss Museum of Games association. Their main job is to establish contacts with people interested in games as a cultural heritage and improve the renown of the Museum.

They finance research projects, publications, and acquisitions, and organize conferences. Moreover, they help to improve the museum’s services by encouraging individuals to participate on a voluntary basis in the public activities of the museum.

The museum reciprocates by offering the members free entrance to the Museum, exclusive events for members only, and guided visits. They also invite members to the opening of the Museum’s exhibitions and offer a 10% discount in our museum shop.

9. The Museum offers Facilities for Rental

The unique Castle of La Tour-de-Pilz has two conference facilities that are available for rental at a competitive price. The facilities offer a perfect environment for presentations events, seminars, or team-building sessions.

Surrounded by extraordinary examples of culture and history, the guests will enjoy state-of-the-art facilities including access to the exhibition for inspiration and relaxation.

10. The Swiss Museum of Games Practical Information

The Swiss Museum of Games is located in Au Château, CH-1814 La Tour-de-Peilz, Tel 021/ 977-2300, on the lakefront of Lake Geneva and within easy strolling distance from Vevey. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5:30 pm

Picnicking is allowed in the gardens of the romantic chateau as well as in the parks along the lakeside promenade. A reasonably priced restaurant – Domino – is in the castle courtyard while numerous restaurants and kiosks line the promenade towards Vevey.