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Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Geneva Science Museum (Musee d’Histoire des Science)

Located by the lake overseeing the beautiful park La Perle du Lac, the Museum of the History of Science is not only a must-visit for every science lover, but also for everyone curious to get a bit of understanding of simple science.

Under its shelter, you can find a vast collection of scientific instruments, objects, and tools from Geneva’s science past, dating from the 17th to the 19th century. Also on display are different documents, which talk about some of the greatest scientific breakthroughs ever achieved in Switzerland.

The museum was established in 1964 in a cozy little neo-classical building built in 1830 as a summer residence for Â鶹APPian bankers.

It is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National and Regional Significance, and it receives over 250,000 visitors per year.

Let’s look at the top 10 outstanding facts about it.

1. It was Inaugurated in 1964

The Geneva Museum of the History of Science was inaugurated in 1964 following the impetus given by a group of enthusiasts. They included the Association of the Museum and the Review of the History of Science.

Villa Bartholoni houses the museum and its collections in the magnificent Parc de la Perle du Lac. Attached from its creation to the Museums of Art and History, the Museum of the History of Science became a subsidiary of the Museum in 2006 and has been fully integrated into its organization since 2015.

The Museum owes its existence to Geneva scholars and naturalists who over the centuries have developed a passion for science.

2. The Museum Houses a Collection of Scientific Instruments

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The Museum of the History of Science houses a collection of scientific instruments from the 17th to the 19th century.

Throughout the rooms, the public discovers the instrumentation of the scientific disciplines of the time. There is a section devoted to astronomy that brings together instruments from the old observatory founded in 1772.

Another section is dedicated to physics and includes instruments that belonged to the former physics cabinets of Pictet, Chapeaurouge, and Senebier. Also exhibited are instruments for navigation medicine and meteorology

3. The Museum offers Animal Identification Assistance

The scientists and specialists of the Museum are able to identify all the animal species and all the rocks and minerals from all over the world.

Visitors can drop off Specimens for identification during opening hours at the Museum reception. People can also send photos of animals through mail or social media to obtain identification.

However, the identification of animals on a photographic basis often does not allow the museum to give a precise species name. The museum also gives advice on animals for which import into Switzerland is illegal. The identification service for Geneva audiences is free.

4. The Museum Permanent Exhibitions are Free of Charge

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In the Geneva Science Museum, the spaces devoted to permanent collections can be visited free of charge. Every first Sunday of the month, the temporary exhibitions are also free.

People with a modest income can use their culture checkbook. For people with permanent or temporary disabilities, the City also offers access measures such as visits adapted to their needs.

 In addition, since October 2017, the Cédille association has developed the Culture accessible Genève site in order to promote cultural events accessible to people with sensory, physical, or mental disabilities.

5. Experience Museums Cultural Trail

The Cultural Trails from one museum to another allow you to discover museums in a different way. The museums are grouped there by district, the walk from one to the other being a pretext for a multitude of edifying discoveries as well as fun.

Monuments, works of public art, or even historical anecdotes and winks come to animate a stroll between past and present which gives an understanding of the evolution of the city over the centuries.

Children are not left out: they are invited to take an original look at art and culture thanks to the Paths specifically designed for families.

6. Walk through Museum Botanical Gardens

Visitors will have a chance to walk through Parks, Conservatory, and Botanical Gardens belonging to the Museum of the History of Science and other museums in Geneva.

From parks to gardens, walkers immerse themselves in the splendor of a district that still exudes the grandeur of times gone by. Master villas, century-old trees, and witnesses to the emergence of international Geneva punctuate the walk.

Between the lines resound the voices of the great patrons who built the monuments described on the route, as well as those of illustrious figures, such as the Empress Joséphine or Casanova, who marked the places with their presence.

7. Relax at The Perle du Lac Park

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The Perle du Lac Park is a public garden situated only 0.06km from the Geneva science museum. . The park has a large flowery meadow, commonly called “Jardin de la Perle”.

In the park, there is also a restaurant owned by the municipality of Geneva. It is managed by the workers themselves where one can taste the typical dishes of French haute cuisine.

The park is a popular hideout for local and foreign tourists looking for a serene and quiet place to unwind.

8.  Visit Palais Wilson

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Located only 0.67km from Musée d’histoire des sciences de la Ville de Genève, Palais Wilson is an important historical landmark and worthy your visit.

This former hotel was built at the end of the 19th century. After the first World War, it became the seat of the League of Nations, the predecessor to the United Nations. In 1997, this remarkable monument of international diplomacy was dedicated to the cause of Human Rights.

The place has witnessed Geneva’s importance and influence on the international stage. The journey continues towards the splendid parks on the right of the lakeside, including the Perle du Lac.

9. Discover the Celestial Sphere

The Celestial Sphere is a large metal sculpture situated 0.94km from Musée d’histoire des sciences de la Ville de Genève. It can easily be viewed both from the UN Cafeteria and upstairs in the Assembly Hall from the lost causes.

It was installed in 1939 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the League of Nations. 

The Celestial Sphere is a perfect place to visit and learn more about the history of the united nation organization.

10. Enjoy a Quiet Stroll at the Parc de l’Ariana

Situated only 0.84km from Musée d’histoire des sciences de la Ville de Genève, Parc de l’Ariana is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet stroll under beautiful trees surrounded by meadows and lawns.

Flowerbeds in full bloom and elegantly trimmed box trees decorate the plateau surrounding the park and its baroque fountain.

It is a historic and prestigious park in Geneva that is open to the public throughout the year. This lush green public park has many scenic spots and trails for hiking.

Practical information

Address: Rue de Lausanne 128, 1202 Genève, Switzerland

Hours:  10:00 am – 5:00 PM, Tuesday: closed

Phone: +41 22 418 50 60