The Musée d’Histoire des Sciences, housed in the Villa Bartholoni, traces the evolution of science through an exceptional collection of historic scientific instruments, covering astronomy, microscopy, and meteorology, all gathered by Geneva scholars from the 17th to the 19th century. Admission is free, and the listed building offers visitors an informative journey through history. The museum is easily reached by public transport or boat and is nestled in a green, lakeside setting at La Perle du Lac.
Musée d’Histoire des Sciences
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Did you know?
One of Geneva’s most celebrated 18th-century scholars, Horace-Bénédict de Saussure was both the father of geology, even coining the term of the study, and a pioneering physicist of nature. He was deeply devoted to his wife, Albertine-Amélie, and wrote her heartfelt letters during his scientific expeditions in the Mont Blanc massif.
Together with mechanic Jaques Paul, he invented several measuring instruments, including a device for quantifying air humidity, their famous hair hygrometer. He said that long blonde hair, just like his wife’s, was best suited to operating the device.
Parc de la Perle du lac
Rue de Lausanne 128
1208 Geneva
Opening hours
- Wednesday to Monday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Closed on Tuesdays
- On 24 and 31 December, the museum closes at 4pm.
Parking
Sécheron car park
Public transport
- Bus: 1 and 25, Perle du Lac | 11 and 28, Jardin botanique
- Tram: 15 arrêts Butini and/or France
- Bateau Mouette: M4, Châteaubriand
- Train: Léman Express, Genève-Sécheron
Services
Exhibition catalogues and books sold at reception
Accessibility
- Access for persons with reduced mobility: Old building without lift, but an external stair lift is available on request.
- Facilities: Toilets not accessible to persons with reduced mobility
- Prams: not permitted in the exhibition halls
- Guide dogs permitted, other animals prohibited
Prices
Free entry