The best museums Romandy

The aim of the Papiliorama Foundation is to help you discover the biodiversity of the rainforest. In this little piece of Swiss jungle, butterflies and multicoloured hummingbirds swirl around you in complete freedom. Don't miss the Jungle Trek! You can feel the 1,000 or so butterflies fluttering around in the 1,200^m2 dome. Bonus: dogs are not allowed in this jungle, but a free dog hotel is available at the entrance.

Housed in the Hôtel Ratzé, the only Renaissance building in Fribourg, as well as in a slaughterhouse, a 19th century arsenal, the MAHF exhibits sculptures, paintings and objects. On several floors, one discovers the sculptures of Jean-François Reyff, the paintings of Hans Geiler, archaeological collections with. The former slaughterhouses house beautiful religious silverware. The 19th and 20th centuries are represented by some great names: Delacroix, Courbet...

Immerse yourself in the world of the fantastic and tortured art of H. R. Giger, the Swiss artist who won the 1980 Oscar for best visual effects for his artistic contribution to the film Alien. The museum is located in the Château Saint-Germain, in the heart of the city. It contains the largest existing collection of works by H.R. Giger: paintings, sculptures, furniture, film sets... Between reality, fiction, past and future, this museum will take you on a fascinating and disturbing journey. The bar associated with the museum, located opposite, is also worth a visit.

The museum's collection includes 3,500 fossils, mainly from the canton of Jura, of which almost 400 are displayed in the showcases. For each group, the fossils are compared with related present-day species. The museum is surrounded by the Botanical Garden, the Arboretum and the greenhouses where old Ajoie fruit varieties are kept. It is possible to sign up for thematic tours such as the Dinotec or the Banné excavations. The permanent exhibitions allow you to see the fauna of the Jura up close.

This museum is a gateway to the Jura and the history of the region. Sitting on the rampart of the old town, the building is part of an architectural ensemble from the 18th and 19th centuries. Jurassic, Monk's Head, End of the World... the exhibition uses clichés and symbols of the newest Swiss canton to shed light on the events that have marked the region and its inhabitants. In addition, there are temporary exhibitions which aim to highlight social issues.

Unique in Europe, this cave houses an underground plant that operated until the th century. Guides, competent and friendly guides invite you to visit the places. A visit not to be missed. From the town centre, follow the Rue du Temple, then the Rue de France, west to find the mills. To make the walk more pleasant, it is possible, at the exit of the city, to go behind the Rolex factory and follow the course of the Bied.

It's a hymn to books. This museum brings together real marvels, real masterpieces that have survived the centuries and that we are lucky enough to admire. It's a fascinating museum, and a must-see. Martin Bodmer discovered books and the world of libraries thanks to his mother. His first acquisition was an illustrated edition of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Introduced to literature, and passionate about the written word, Martin Bodmer dedicated the rest of his life to selecting the world's best authors in all fields of the written word. The aim is to preserve these works as the common property of mankind: a panorama of human thought that has affected every era since our creation. At first, the 150,000-book private library was reserved for the most erudite of scholars, but Martin Bodmer's philanthropic activities soon spread. In 1971, the Martin Bodmer Foundation was established under private law to ensure the continuity of his work and promote public education. The life's work of this erudite Zurich collector and vice-president of the ICRC is showcased in an exceptional museum and library. The museum, designed by Mario Botta, presents witnesses to the creation of the mind, through all ages and in all parts of the world. The collection includes papyri, manuscripts, incunabula, first editions, unique and rare items, autographs, archaeological finds, sculptures, paintings, tapestries and musical scores. All these works retrace the evolution of humanity's great intellectual and spiritual advances, each object bearing witness to a key moment in the history of civilization. On two floors, among the 200 original pieces on display, we travel the world and the centuries, from Mesopotamia to Greece. Right at the entrance, you'll discover a scribe dating from the time of Ramses II, a precious and rare manuscript on parchment, such as the^5th-century Gospel of Matthew in Coptic, open to the page of the kiss of Judas, one of the world's only copies of the Gutenberg Bible, and many other written treasures. Thanks to the ingenious success of a very modern museography, we learn a great deal, discovering literary works written by the most famous men from the four corners of the globe, from Antiquity to the present day. Captivating, intriguing and incomparably rich, the visit is a must.

Undergoing renovation and modernization until 2025.

The museum is housed in a typical Carouge house, in the heart of a beautiful private garden in the middle of town. This charming building houses collections by local artists, including sculptures, photographs of contemporary ceramics, earthenware, enamels and works of fine art, reflecting the history of Carouge and its artistic evolution.

The exhibition "Espèce de cornichon" : art, cuisine et chirat, until May 2023, retraced the history of the gherkin through the centuries. A highly original theme.

A very beautiful residence houses the Graphic Arts Cabinet of the Museum of Art and History of Geneva. It is undoubtedly one of the most important European centres in the field of the conservation and dissemination of works on paper. It preciously preserves engravings, prints, drawings, pastels... Some 375,000 items are kept in this case, including the world's largest collection of works by Jean-Etienne Liotard and drawings by Ferdinand Hodler.

Opened in 1910 at the same time as the Geneva Museum of Art and History, it became a public library in 1911. It is the largest art library in Switzerland. Its collections are made up of works in all artistic fields: archaeology, fine arts, decorative arts, architecture, numismatics, museology, restoration, from prehistory to the contemporary era. More than 300,000 monographs, 6,000 journal titles and books.

Located on the Place de Neuve, opposite the Parc des Bastions, the neoclassical style of this building is reminiscent of a Greek temple. It is only open for temporary exhibitions (see the museum's website or that of the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire). This museum, which opened in 1826, was founded by the sisters of General Rath, a great art lover, and was the first Swiss fine arts museum. It regularly features interesting exhibitions, the most recent of which evokes the fascinating life of traveler Ella Maillart.

An excellent museum, simple and highly didactic, a must-see. A treasure trove for those who find the subtleties of the Reformation obscure, or who want to better understand Geneva's history. The museum's layout is highly educational. Before the advent of Protestantism, it's important to look at the historical context. Europe was in the grip of plague epidemics. Yesterday's convictions were being called into question. The Americas had just been discovered, the famous "great discoveries", and science was also challenging the great truths of the Church, which could no longer meet society's expectations. The Reformation? This is a movement of thought that seeks to take the founding texts of Christianity, the Bible, as its basis, without going through the interpretations of the Church. It was rooted in the humanism of the Renaissance, which was then in full swing. The Reformation was one of the key stages in Geneva's spiritual and political development. The museum is housed in a handsome ^18th-century mansion, the Maison Mallet. Located a stone's throw from Saint-Pierre Cathedral, it occupies the cathedral's former cloister. A highly symbolic location: on May 21, 1536, the Reformation was adopted here. A video in the entrance traces the history of Martin Luther, then that of Jean Calvin, through the wars of religion that tore France apart. In 9 stages, it tells the story of Protestantism from the ^16th century to the present day, from Luther's theses, born in part from the famous sale of indulgences by the Church to the faithful for the salvation of their souls. What price, then, for an assured passage to heaven? Luther was scandalized by these abuses of the Church, which was made rich by these particularly lucrative sales. These new ideas, revolutionary at the time, were widely disseminated thanks to the invention of the printing press. Books became accessible to a large population, 90% of whom were illiterate. Previously, their extremely high price and rarity made them accessible only to a very wealthy elite. Various personalities, including Luther and Calvin, put forward new ideas. Between 1562 and 1598, when Henry IV promulgated the Edict of Nantes, establishing tolerance between religions, France was bloodied by the Wars of Religion, culminating in the horror of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in 1572. The first caricatures appear, and the persecutions of French Huguenots, provoked by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes promulgated by Louis XIV in 1685, are evoked, culminating in the exile of Protestants to Switzerland, with the arrival of Calvin in 1536, and the role of Geneva in the influence and spread of Calvinism... On a fascinating map, you'll follow the journeys of Protestant refugees, from the arrival of the Mayflower in America in 1620, to the celebration of the first Thanksgiving, and the arrival of other refugees in Huguenot South Africa, convinced they were arriving in the Promised Land, with all the well-known consequences for the original inhabitants. In each land of exile, these emigrants brought with them their know-how: wine in South Africa, lace in Holland, the famous watchmaking in Switzerland.... What's also interesting is to see old and sometimes moving writings: a personal letter from Calvin, accounts of the St. Bartholomew's Day massacres, engravings, historical documents, original works and objects dating from the ^18th century wars of religion: bibles, old engravings of Geneva, Calvin's works in their original editions, portraits of the reformers, souvenirs of the persecutions and the Refuge. Don't miss the music room, where you can listen to true musical masterpieces inspired by Protestantism from the 16th^century to the present day, set against a backdrop of stained-glass colors. It has been said that "Catholicism is for the eyes, Protestantism is for the ears". Here's a magnificent example of this, as we listen to the beauty of South African, Ethiopian and Hungarian Reformed songs, songs in Old French, Aretha Franklin, and Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus", covered here by Johnny Cash.... Finally, the historical cellars offer a look at contemporary Protestantism around the world. Interesting debates are set up, and we listen to excerpts from Martin Luther King's magnificent speech. You'll also be able to read some wonderful quotes from thought-provoking personalities. These magnificent words include one from Desmond Tutu, an icon, like Nelson Mandela, in the fight against apartheid: "Be kind to white people, they need you to rediscover their humanity".

"In the footsteps of the Reformation": a 10-stop tour of the old town, duration 1 hour. You can download the tour and educational packs at www.musee-reforme.ch/ecoles/

Activities at the MIR for children: we're given an interactive screen, and when we place it in front of some of the paintings, the personality of the work comes to life and begins to evoke the historical context of its period, its role etc. Excellent! An audio guide in 10 languages is available free of charge.

The store : the museum shop offers a wide selection of specialist books on the Reformation.

A magnificent site both in terms of nature and heritage! Property of the Chapter, cited in the 11th-12th centuries, this castle served as a residence for the canons. The site is composed of an enclosure of four towers which enclosed the individual houses of the residents and their fortified church. The enclosure dates from the 12th century. Inside is the museum, which displays a variety of collections: Valaisan furniture from Roman times to the present day, gold and silverware, pewter, ironwork, costumes, portraits, Romanesque and Gothic statues.

The building houses a rich collection of clocks and watches (4,500 pieces), some of which are extremely rare: 17th century watches, astronomical clocks and some of the most sophisticated 21st century watches. Since 1989, the museum has also been a centre for the restoration of antique clocks. You will discover unique pieces of mechanical clocks and watches and the whole history of watchmaking: marine chronometers, watches with enamel of great rarity.

Built at the end of the ^12th century and enlarged in the ^16th, Nyon Castle saw its drawbridge destroyed and its moat filled in in 1820. Today, the building houses a vast collection of earthenware and porcelain from the town's workshops, dating from the ^18th to the ^20th century, and organizes high-quality temporary exhibitions. The museum also showcases local artists. It is possible to take a virtual tour of the museum. From the terrace, there's a magnificent view over the rooftops of the old town and, weather permitting, Mont Blanc.

Housed in a former tramway depot built in the early ^20th century, the Espace is home to works by Jean Tinguely and his wife, French artist Niki de Saint-Phalle, who donated them to the city of Fribourg. One of Tinguely's masterpieces can be seen here: the Altarpiece of Western Abundance and Totalitarian Mercantilism, as well as Niki de Saint-Phalle's 22 painted polyester reliefs entitled Remembering (1997-1998). Temporary exhibitions are also on view.

If the theme of this museum - ceramics and glass - can leave some people cold, think again! It's well worth a visit - after a guided tour of the UN, for example, since it's right next door. The site is a jewel, well worth a visit for the richness of its collections, the beauty and refinement of its works, the quality and creativity of its exhibitions juggling contemporary and classical art. Housed in a beautiful, light-filled building, the museum is dedicated to the history and art of ceramics, glass and stained glass. Its collections, from Switzerland, Europe and the Far East, bring together pieces of unique beauty dating from the ^9th century to the present day. We learn a great deal, following step by step, around the world, the history of porcelain, imported from China to Europe by the ships of the East India Company. As the museum's curator asserts, ceramics, glass and stained glass, the "arts of fire", were born of the four elements, earth and sand, nourished by water, then shaped by fire and nurtured by air. A true "connection with nature". Then comes the artist's extraordinary inventiveness over time. It's a journey around the world, through history and cultures. Over the course of history, these pieces reflect the almost infinite creativity and refinement of artists from a wide variety of cultures, and the wealth of exchanges and influences between these same cultures. Is it because the museum is housed in a vast, luminous building, with an atmosphere that reflects its founder's openness to the world? Quite simply, it makes you feel good. Close to the UN, this imposing building with its imposing dome, dating from the late ^19th century, is surrounded by a beautiful park, the last remains of the vast estate of its founder, Gustave Revilliod (1817-1890). This wealthy man of letters was an exceptional traveler, art collector, archaeologist, scholar, humanist and polyglot, who traveled throughout Europe, the Orient and the rest of the world, bringing back masterpieces. He was passionate about everything: painting, sculpture, prints, textiles, furniture, ceramics, glass... As a patron of the arts, he travelled extensively and collected over 30,000 pieces, notably from the Far East. Today, the site houses over 28,000 pieces. The museum is well laid out, with large, well-lit rooms where the works are particularly well displayed. The museum evokes the odyssey of porcelain, which originated in China, appeared in the Middle East and then in Europe. It arrived by ship from the Middle Kingdom, and the round trip took eighteen months. Porcelain was a phenomenal success, but the secrets of its manufacture - jealously guarded by Chinese ceramists - remained unknown until the early ^18th century. The fascinating history of ceramics over the centuries right up to the present day is recounted here. You'll be able to admire sumptuous pieces originating in China, the famous blue and white ceramics, the three-colored ceramics, and ceramics adapted to Western orders. The representation of Westerners as seen by the Chinese on ceramics is not without its salt. Wherever you are in the world, the way you look at things differs according to your country of origin. Persian ceramics reflect a civilization of unique wealth and refinement. As you enter the site, you are impressed by the imposing entrance hall, the brightly-lit rooms and the imposing vaulted ceiling. The building was dedicated to Gustave Revilliod's mother - named Ariana. Its architecture is inspired by Baroque and Italian influences. Its appearance is imposing, to say the least.

Works are exhibited in large, bright rooms, arranged along circular galleries around or above the imposing entrance hall - a grand staircase had been planned when the building was designed, but the idea was eventually abandoned.

Take a break in the small salon on the first floor, where you'll hear some travel stories told by Gustave Revilliod himself. Fascinating memoirs in which this open-minded and curious man of the world recounts not only some of his travel experiences, but also his exasperation with an overly conventional, sclerotic society and its contemporaries. As he says, the latter drove him to go back to the other side of the world.

The park - most of which now belongs to the UN - has a few souvenirs, including a replica of a bell from Japan's Shinagawa temple,

The temporary exhibitions are well worth a look, and the presentation of the pieces is really well thought-out and highly original. The dynamism of the museum's team is to be commended, as they always combine intercultural, social and historical aspects.

Every first Sunday of the month, as well as on certain Thursdays, the museum organizes excellent free guided tours of current exhibitions, not to be missed if you're visiting Geneva during this period. To find out more about the various events and workshops organized by the museum, consult the agenda available directly on the website (www.musee-ariana.ch/fr/agenda).

A site accessible to the public since 1974, these caves reveal a fantastic natural spectacle: columns, stalagmites, stalactites, drapery, underground rivers. As a bonus: the discovery of the cathedral with a sound and light. After the visit, you can see a collection of 250 minerals exposed in rocky vaults and a magical decor.

Open to the public for 40 years, the Caves of Vallorbe are among the most beautiful in Europe. They took their evening to welcome the visitor in a decor worthy of the Thousand and One Nights. The walls are decorated with drapery and a soda rain (small tubes) falls within the ceilings of the different rooms. The most eccentric stalactites and stalagmites resulting from the marriage of water and limestone form an impressive "pile pile" or miniature reproduction of the Vendôme column. Trésor Treasure This trip in the basement, accompanied by the crystalline song of the Orb, ends with the discovery of the hidden treasure of the Fées: 250 minerals bursting with light beads in four alveoli dug in the rock.

Space The Cathedral. Since June 2011, a new room over 30 m high welcomes you in its centre and will make you discover its splendour thanks to a show of its light and light.

An app to visit the caves. Since June 2013, a free application on its mobile phone allows audio feedback throughout the visit. It is possible to download it in advance or directly on site thanks to Wi-Fi network.

What a magnificent setting to house a watchmaking museum! In this Louis XVI style patrician residence, the Château des Monts was once the home of the Dubois family. The castle has kept its former glory and the large collection of clocks, watches and automatons enhances the building. The know-how of the watchmakers is recounted in a film and a slide show. You can wander through each room of the castle, discovering works and timepieces.

This true temple of absinthe is a must to know the eventful history of the green fairy. Indeed, this jealously guarded secret liquor was forbidden for a long time in Switzerland (as well as in France, where it comes from). It was only authorized for sale in 2005 and can now be enjoyed all over the world. The exhibition also presents more than 1,200 plants, some of which are used in the production of the magic drink. A bar offers tastings of some fifteen regional products.

The Château de Villa wine library is the place to be for wine lovers. It invites you to discover, in a friendly and exclusive setting, a choice of 550 of the best wines from over 100 Valais cellars, some rare bottles and fruit brandies from Valais orchards. Take advantage of the expert advice of the bartenders trained for wine tasting and go on a wine discovery tour, decorated with a magnificent wine press and entire walls of bottles.

A Savoyard fortress built at the end of the 13th century, the castle of Morges became a museum of military history in 1925. The site now houses several museums: the Museum of Historical Figurines, the largest Swiss museum of its kind (over 40,000 figurines), the Gendarmerie Museum, the Foreign Service Room and the Paderewski Museum. The military museum has been divided into two: the Artillery Museum and the Waldensian Military History Museum.

An unusual idea for a visit. In an old building dating from 1406, an amusing and unique place in the world, close to the lake, brings together a collection of 108 naturalized frogs, taking on human postures and evoking scenes from everyday life in the 19th century (pub, election meeting, family scene...). See also the beautiful collection of lanterns of the Federal Railways running on oil or gas, from 1880 to the present day. And many objects and decorations of national folklore. A rare museum which is really worth a visit.

This living museum is located in the old arsenal next to the Roman amphitheatre. It has been open since 2005 and is dedicated to the St Bernards from the kennels of the eponymous pass, which were once run by the canons. The observation of the feeding and grooming of the animals is obviously very popular, but it is also possible to go for a walk with one of them. You can get emotional over the puppies and attend information sessions on the life of these animals. The centre also hosts temporary exhibitions. Restaurant and bar on site.

Within the Fondation Pierre Gianadda, a museum space houses a rich collection of some forty rare vehicles in working order: Stanley steam engines, Benz and Jeanperrin from 1897, Delauney-Belleville for Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, Hispano-Suiza, Mercedes SSK... More curious, Swiss-made cars, such as these Pic-Pic, Martini or Turicum. Enough to delight collectors and enthusiasts of unique models.

From the outside, the MAMCO building, housed in an old, disused factory, looks rather unappealing. But think again! It owes its creation to Amam (Association des amis du musée d'Art moderne), founded in 1973. Many patrons wish to share their works. You don't need to be an Andy Warhol aficionado or an expert in contemporary art to appreciate the works. The Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain de Genève (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Geneva) is open to all visitors, from 0 to 150 years of age, whether or not they are art connoisseurs, and features 3,500 m² of exhibition space spread over several floors, in large, light-filled halls. As its name suggests, this museum is dedicated to contemporary art. Whether you like it or not, you won't remain indifferent to the works on display. A common thread that defines it? Its dynamism! The museum is constantly reinventing itself: in addition to the permanent exhibition, three temporary exhibitions are organized each year. The permanent works are regularly renewed, mingling with those in the temporary exhibition. You'll never get bored! The entity has built up a veritable collection of important works for Contemporary Art in Switzerland. Guided tours and public education are a constant feature, and the museum's ambition is to introduce newcomers to the richness of this heritage. And it succeeds! The MAMCO is full of surprises! The themes of the exhibitions are interesting, the ideas always very creative and the works very well presented.

Far Eastern art enthusiasts, this visit is for you! Sumptuous is the word to describe the collections of exceptional works from China and Japan assembled by Swiss collector Alfred Baur (1865-1951). He made his fortune trading in organic fertilizers in Sri Lanka, the country formerly known as Ceylon. On his return to Switzerland in 1906, he developed a passion for collecting Asian art, and began a parallel career as a "collector", focusing mainly on Japanese works, and later on Chinese ceramics. The works, all of great refinement, are displayed in a ^19th-century mansion. The museum is small, but well worth a visit. A staircase leads to the department specializing in China, then to Japan. The museum rooms are brightly lit, and the works are well displayed. You'll admire ceramics of perfect beauty and harmony, the earliest dating back to the Tang dynasty (618-907). A saddled horse testifies to the intensity of trade between China and the West via the Silk Road. These ceramics cover all dynasties up to the Qing (1644-1911). Jade objects, miniature tobacco flasks, perfume burners, cups and bowls, some Indian-influenced or inspired by Tibetan Buddhist art, date from the ^18th to the ^20th century. Note the jade objects, a reflection of the long and hard work involved. Jade - considered a symbol of purity and integrity in China - is perceived as a very precious stone. Very hard, it was considered indestructible. In addition to its high value, it was therefore associated with immortality, and jade was often placed in the graves of emperors and aristocrats. Imagine the time it took to carve a perfume burner, a bowl or a brush holder. Take a look at some of these highly original vases, in which Westerners - and not to their advantage - are depicted. It's interesting to discover how Easterners look at Westerners. In the 17th and 18th centuries, China and the Far East in general aroused great interest and admiration among Westerners. These famous "chinoiseries" were, at first, imitations of Chinese objets d'art made in the West, but the term was later extended to include objects made in China. Cloisonné enamels and remarkable Chinese textiles are also on display.

Don't miss the department dedicated to Japan. These collections date back to the Edo period and the Meiji, Taisho and Showa eras, stretching from the ^18th to the early ^20th century. It brings together everyday objects and fashion accessories, reflecting the influence of the outside world on Japan. You'll be seduced by the beauty of the prints. They represent the leisure activities of city dwellers. The faces of Kabuki theater actors, courtesans and, later, landscapes and heroes appeared. Netsuke, small ivory figurines used to hang various objects from belts, often depicting characters from Japanese mythology, were essential fashion accessories for city dwellers in the Edo period. On display are true marvels, including tea caddies, paint pots, sword ornaments, Japanese ceramics and tea sets. Writing cases include an ink stone, brush and cruet. During the Edo period, publishing was booming. These writing cases belonged to literati and wealthy city dwellers. The lacquers are exceptional, of uncommon refinement. They are made using gold - and mother-of-pearl, originally from China. To make an object, layers of lacquer were accumulated, and the craftsman then engraved his design. To decorate some of them, gold and silver flakes were applied with a bamboo stick and sprinkled on the surface. These are makis. Observe the finesse of the design on the Inro, the medicine boxes. In Japan, people don't bother with heavy furniture. So we used a plethora of chests, storage boxes and cases. The objects you see belonged, no doubt, to very wealthy citizens.

The "tea room" you'll see in an adjacent room, was installed in a pavilion reserved for this practice. Here, tea was served in the famous ceremony known as the "Japanese tea service". This is the Chanoyu, or Chado "way of tea" in Japanese. The event is much more than a simple gathering of friends. It's a traditional art inspired by Zen Buddhism, with each step highly codified. Did you know that the study of the tea ceremony can take several years? Both host and guest must know the chado, the various types of tea, how to serve, and on the guest's side, what words to say, the technique of drinking tea, the style of dress... Sword decorations are true masterpieces. In the Edo period, they embodied the soul of the Samurai. China has exerted an important influence in many fields in Japan over the past 5,000 years. Round off your visit with a visit to the Zen garden, a true reflection of the gardens you'll find in Japan!

The museum is worth a visit just for the beauty of its setting. Located in the heart of the Parc de la Perle, it is housed in the superb Villa Bartholoni, built in 1830. In very bright rooms with a superb view of the lake, a wide range of scientific objects dating from the 17th to the ^19th century are presented. You will be able to observe astronomical glasses and objects from other disciplines such as physics, electricity or meteorology.

This 13th century building, which has been altered several times and was once a bishop's residence, now houses a rich museum. Valais painters are very well represented here with, in particular, the works of Raphaël Ritz and Raphy Dallèves, bequeathed by their authors. Contemporary paintings by the Valaisan Edouard Vallet. See also the print cabinet. This museum takes you on a journey of discovery through fifty thousand years of the evolution of migratory cultures.

Built in two stages (the plan has changed in the meantime!), between 1777 and 1826, this church in the Sardinian city was at the centre of the religious struggles between Catholics and radicals. It was in 1921 that the Roman Catholics recovered it. Musical treasures to discover: the church's carillon is one of the most important in Switzerland, in terms of number of bells and the historical organ dating from 1832 and rebuilt in 2010. Be discreet during the services. The Feast of the Holy Cross is on September 14.

The Tibet Museum is located a few meters from the castle. It was created in 2009 by the Alain Bordier Foundation. More than 400 works and various objects (sculptures, paintings, ritual objects...) from Tibet and neighbouring regions are presented in the former Saint-Joseph chapel (19th century). The works on display come from the art collector's personal collection and have been assembled over the course of thirty years. A mobile application is available.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, a splendid Roman villa stood on the Prieuré hill. Thanks to the work of archaeologists, this palace has now been reconstructed at the heart of Pully's Roman Villa Museum. You can admire its living room and superb wall paintings. These remains are home to the ArchéoLab, an archaeology discovery area with excellent ideas for tours and workshops for children, enabling them to discover archaeology and go back in time from a specific angle, such as a particular theme in Roman times. Great stuff!

Adjoining La Muette, C. F. Ramuz's family home, the museum is located in the heart of the village. This late ^18th-century bourgeois building, surrounded by a garden of rare trees, was bequeathed to the town in 1941 by the Luhrs-Patterson family, who expressed the wish that it become a public space. Collections relating to the region alternate with those devoted to contemporary art, as well as exhibitions highlighting a given artist or theme, intended for the general public. A permanent theme room is dedicated to Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz.

Close to Lake Geneva, set in a delightful garden with southern charm, this museum houses the remains of an opulent ancient residence. The permanent exhibition features archaeological finds from the nearby Lousonna site. In addition, the various temporary exhibitions and outreach activities focus on themes linked to antiquity and the concerns of society at the time. Throughout the year, children are invited to take part in bread-making, cooking and building workshops.

We've almost forgotten about them, such is the speed of progress, when these days we can type Chinese characters or almost any language in the world on our smartphones. Typewriters set the pace for all correspondence and the press throughout the last century. An original museum idea, the story of a family passion, presenting a rich collection of antique machines to typewriters equipped with Japanese kanji.

This unusual museum traces five thousand years of shoe history. Gentle Craft has been researching since 1993, and the current collection includes faithful reproductions of shoes from ancient Rome, the Middle Ages and pre-industrial times, sourced from archaeological digs or historical collections. Each piece is an exact replica to scale of the original. Particularly interesting for children, as you can look with your hands!

Housed in a building with cylindrical architecture, we turn around a large pylon to discover experiments staged by the team of scientists and graphic designers. Aimed at young and old alike, the Espace des Inventions is a place for learning about science and technology, discovery and experimentation. Around a chosen scientific theme, a set of games and experiments to be manipulated is proposed to the curious hands, critical eyes and agile brains of visitors. Ideal for little budding sunflower teachers!

This cantonal museum, housed in the Palais de Rumine, comprises three departments: zoology, geology and botany. Aimed more at children, the Zoology Museum features 2,500 animals from the region's fauna and, to a lesser extent, from around the world, as well as an exceptional comparative anatomy section. If you can't see it diving, the museum also boasts the world's largest taxidermized white shark: 5.89 m! Numerous temporary exhibitions.

Located in the Palais de Rumine, the Geology Museum offers a permanent exhibition on three themes: fossils, crystals and the Alps. Two virtual exhibitions, on the origins of the world and Lausanne in the time of palm trees, are also on display. The mammoth on display is still very young: only 16,000 years old. However, it has undergone a two-year rejuvenation treatment to strengthen its bones, as the organic matter inside is still evolving!

Excellent! Within Plateforme 10, the MUDAC (Musée cantonal de design et d'arts appliqués contemporains), with its remarkable architecture, is dedicated to design in French-speaking Switzerland. On display are works in contemporary glassmaking, graphic arts, jewelry, ceramics, etc. The program consists of monographic exhibitions featuring young artists and established designers. In a didactic way, we display some very interesting works by the latter, brimming with creativity. A must-see!

Called Lousonna in Celtic, it was built on the heights, on three hills, to better defend itself. It became the seat of an important bishopric in the Middle Ages, and remained mainly agricultural until the ^19th century, when it embraced the ideas of the Enlightenment philosophers and became a tourist attraction from 1830 onwards. Today, the ^15th-century bishop's residence houses this interesting museum, recounting the city's history and exhibiting typical Lausanne artifacts.

The Montreux Museum, whose origins date back to 1874, presents many facets of the Montreux region in a group of reconstructed 17th century winegrowers' houses. The exhibition retraces the town and its region through 4 themes: history, terroir, tourism and hotels. Collections of coins, firebrands, planes and woodworking tools contribute to the understanding of the subject. A lady having donated her thimble collection to the museum, an additional room has been opened to accommodate 2,100 small pieces of jewellery!

Beautiful steam locomotives take you back in time. They're back in service again to pull an old train in which you'll be on board, on your way to explore the Chamby Railway Museum, the invention that enabled the development of the entire Swiss Riviera. When the Blonay-Chamby rail link closed in 1966, a team of volunteers created a tourist steam railway, museum depot and restaurant.

In order to better pay tribute to the human hand and to raise awareness of its importance, Professor Claude Verdan, an eminent specialist in reconstructive hand surgery, has created this place which is entirely dedicated to it. The museum regularly organizes exhibitions and debates and lectures, not only on the hand but also related to science and medicine. Finally, Le Café de la Main for a coffee or a chocolate, a fruit juice or an organic pastry.

Cantonal museums, cramped for space in the Palais de Rumine, use this space for temporary exhibitions. The neoclassical building, inaugurated in 1841, was built thanks to Vaud painter Louis Arlaud to house a drawing school and art museum. The site was given a new lease of life in 1997 under the name Espace Arlaud. It presents the work of Swiss and international artists through temporary exhibitions on the themes of photography, art, history, geography... The museum is only open during these exhibitions, consult the website.

A real living museum at the foot of Montriond hill and a stone's throw from the Milan park and its playgrounds, the Botanical Garden cultivates more than 6,000 species of plants from all over the world in its rock gardens, water features and flowerbeds. This little corner of paradise is overflowing with colour and offers a serene and pleasant visit. The museum and the garden offer temporary botanical and artistic exhibitions to make the visit more enjoyable.