MUSÉE D’ART ET D’HISTOIRE (ART AND HISTORY MUSEUM)

Did you know that the Lake Geneva region was once "the world's largest museum"? Indeed, Geneva has long had a very sulphurous reputation as an illicit hub for cultural goods. Until 2005, such goods could be purchased legally, but a law changed all that. The MAH has thus been able to recover some very fine pieces, such as reliefs from Palmyra, hidden in the warehouses of Geneva's Ports Francs... rescued from the many works looted from sites in the Middle East and Africa as a result of war and poverty. Located in the heart of the old town, the Musée d'art et d'histoire is one of the largest in the Swiss Confederation. Built between 1902 and 1910 by Marc Camoletti, its majestic facade imitates that of the Petit-Palais at the 1900 Paris Universal Exhibition, and houses permanent collections devoted to archaeology, fine and applied arts. Beyond the imposing doorway, majestic staircases lead to vast halls devoted to the various historical periods. There's nothing dusty about this museum, if only for the extreme dynamism of all the activities it offers. How do you bring art to life? In addition to the permanent and temporary collections, there are concerts, wellness tours (Pilates, meditation, music tours, guided rhythm classes - all in the midst of the works of art), tours and story readings for the very young, not to mention the unmissable DJ sets every Thursday evening. If you're in Geneva at the time, don't miss them. It's another way to discover art. Apart from all this positive energy, the museum is worth a visit above all for the originality of its temporary exhibitions, generally of contemporary art, which are well worth a look for their creativity. They are organized on a regular basis, and very often combine contemporary and classical art. The large rooms, with their high, wide windows, let in light that really enhances the works. We must pay tribute to the dynamism and originality of the programming of these temporary exhibitions put together by the curators - and to the artists' creations, of course. Some of the works in the temporary exhibitions are sometimes displayed right in the middle of works from the permanent collection! One majestic room displays an impressive collection of superb armor dating from the ^15th to ^17th centuries, accompanied by a large collection of weapons, swords and muskets. The museum also boasts an important collection of prehistoric objects and the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in Switzerland. In the basement, the Antiquities Department displays some particularly interesting pieces. A chronological tour traces the evolution of mankind over fifteen millennia, from Europe to the Middle East, from Early Antiquity to Late Antiquity. The famous dynasties of the Black Pharaohs and the Blue Nile are presented, with models evoking the layout of the villages. We also admire the famous pottery of the Roman world, with red and black vases evoking scenes from Greek and Roman mythologies, ceramics and Roman busts. There are bas-reliefs, sarcophagi from Palmyra and Egypt, a bust of Ramses II, everyday objects, jewelry worn by the ladies of the patrician nobility, bronzes dating from the Etruscan, Greek and Roman periods... Numismatic enthusiasts will be delighted by the rich collection of bronze and pewter coins from various periods. The fine arts department features works from the ^15th to the ^20th century, including Konrad Witz's famous Miraculous Peach (1444) and important ensembles by Liotard, Hodler and Vallotton. Italian, French, Dutch and English schools are represented, as well as the Swiss and European ^19th century with Corot, Renoir, Monet, Cézanne and Van Gogh.

The curators are highly praised for their dynamism, and their temporary exhibitions are well worth a visit, not to mention the famous Thursday evening events, which are not to be missed! The program includes theater, concerts, dance and other surprises.

For a break: the MAH restaurant Barocco, set up in the museum's inner courtyard in summer, or inside in winter, deserves a break in a very pleasant setting! ✆ +41 22 418 26 82.

Thursdays at the MAH. Here, we specialize in afterwork evenings, which are a must! The concept is very original for relaxing after a day of visits or office work, if only to rediscover the collections from a new angle and catch up with friends. Have you heard of speed-dating? This time, it's not with a potential soulmate, but with a work of art. In summer, the museum's pleasant courtyard is transformed into a lounge where you can have a drink and listen to music concocted by a DJ set up on site for the occasion. The museum opens its doors until 9pm every Thursday evening. There's a choice of concerts, performances, guided tours... If you're visiting Geneva, don't miss it, there's something for everyone!