Tourist Attractions & Monuments Switzerland

The narrow entrance to the museum leads to a 500 m² space where the entire history of photography is retraced, from the magic lanterns to the digital age. The collection of cameras is impressive and the explanations are detailed, especially concerning a whole series of amazing inventions such as the photographic cane, in 1902, which made it possible to take pictures discreetly! A special course has been planned for the younger ones.

It's been around since 1959, and is one of the most popular museums in the country! The Swiss Museum of Transport presents the history of mobility and communication through exhibitions, interactive terminals and films. More than 3,000 exhibits are housed in an area of over 20 hectares, covering the history of traffic on road, rail and water, in the air and in space. A train simulator lets you slip into the shoes of a locomotive driver.

The view above Engelberg, at an altitude of 3,020 metres in a land of lakes and mountains, is of course magnificent. To make the most of it, you can take the Rotair cable car from Engelberg, which has the special feature of a steerable cabin. The experience continues with multiple activities on site such as the Titlis Cliff Walk at 3,041m. For a more fun activity to do with the family, snowtubing (a large buoy on the snow) will take you into great moments of laughter.

Looking for a thrill? Discover four activities offered in Grindelwald. The First Glider propels its four passengers at 72 km/h over the mountains, while the First Flyer offers unforgettable sensations during an 800 m crossing between the First and Schreckfeld at a maximum speed of 84 km/h. Other activities are possible on site such as the mountain cart, a cross between a go-kart and a sledge which allows you to race down the unpaved road linking Schreckfeld to Bort over 3 km. To be tried with the family!

It's a paradise for children, who choose their own miniature locomotives to take their parents for a ride! Scale models of over fifteen steam, petrol and electric locomotives take you on a tour of the park, where typical local and international architecture has been precisely reproduced. Originally designed for the private maintenance and running of these little model railways, the park is now open to all, to the delight of young and old alike. The park is very welcoming and well-maintained.

Discovering a city thanks to the knowledge and passion of a local guide is undoubtedly the best experience of all. A number of themes are on offer, including the unmissable tour of the old town, Place de la Palud, the cathedral, Saint-François church, Ouchy, "Les chocolatiers lausannois", "Lausanne anecdotique", "Quand les murs se colorent", the history of bridges, "Trois collines, deux cours d'eau" and many other excellent ideas. These tours, led by the host guides of the Mouvement des aînés du canton de Vaud, only take place in summer.

The Crans-Montana tourist office is committed to providing you with all the quality information on tourist activities to meet your needs for stays, excursions, visits, etc. You will be guided and helped in your search for accommodation, restaurants, leisure activities and culture. The promotion of local products and know-how is part of its mission. We welcome enthusiasts so that your stay or its preparation is simplified. The website allows you to make direct reservations.

The foundation has been in existence for fifty years and continues to perpetuate local traditions and know-how. You will be immersed in life-size Swiss architecture with more than 80 traditional Swiss houses and farms, in their original state, with their fields, their vegetable gardens and their animals. You will discover the medicinal plant garden and numerous crafts, from bakers to blacksmiths, lacemakers and weavers (daily demonstrations).

This remarkable building in the Radiant Gothic style was built from the 13th century onwards and completed in 1490. The late Gothic tower is 74 m high and contains thirteen bells, among the oldest in Switzerland. The main portal is adorned with beautiful sculptures (copies of the 15th-century originals) and a 17th-century wooden statue of St Nicholas of Myra. The Sunday Gate was originally the main portal. Statues framed by arches overhang an oak door in the Louis XVI style with a Virgin and Child in the centre, a statue of St Nicholas and the three young girls he saved on the left, and the Three Wise Men on the right. Inside, the choir, which is higher than the nave, and the old sacristy, which dates from the 17th century, can be seen. Above the 15th century stalls, beautiful frames by Jean-François Reyff surround two paintings by Nicolas de Hoey, painter to the court of Henri IV. The high altar, from the 19th century, is in the neo-Gothic style. The side chapels are illuminated by double lancet windows and open towards the nave through semi-circular arches. In the chapel of the Holy Sepulchre, the group of figures that make up the Entombment is the most important group of monumental sculpture of the late Middle Ages and the most important medieval funerary group in Switzerland. Beautiful stained glass windows by Manessier. The top of the tower, accessible in summer, offers a beautiful view of the city. It is also a place of pilgrimage linked to Santiago de Compostela.

This is one of the highlights of your visit to Bern. The Institution is mainly devoted to the life and work of Paul Klee, a German artist born in Switzerland, near Bern, to a father who was a music teacher and a mother who was a singer. From an early age, Klee turned to the plastic arts. On a trip to Tunisia in 1914, he wrote in his diary: "Color possesses me, I no longer need to search for it. This is what this happy moment means: I and color are one

Paul Klee flourished in abstraction, playing with symbols and colors. A professor at the Bauhaus in Weimar, he was at the height of his artistic powers from 1920 onwards. But the coming to power of the Nazis precipitated his end. Classified by them as a "degenerate artist", he moved to Switzerland before his death in 1940.

In a wave-shaped building designed by architect Renzo Piano, inaugurated in 2005, the Centre houses the world's largest collection of over 4,000 works, including paintings, watercolours and drawings by the painter. It also features exhibitions dedicated to other artists. In 2023, the public will discover the late works of Joan Miró. Under the title "New Horizons", 74 works produced from the late 1960s onwards are presented for the first time in Switzerland. At the beginning of 2024, the German Dadaist Hanna Höch will be in the spotlight. Finally, as a true cultural center, the establishment offers concerts in its auditorium.

The Geneva Tourist Office reveals all the tips for visiting the city. A quality welcome is a must! In addition to the traditional tourist information, many products are offered to optimize your stay according to your desires: thematic guided tours, activities, excursions and especially the Geneva City Pass. This pass is a sesame to be obtained without delay to benefit from more than fifty free experiences and at preferential prices.

Behind the scenes of chocolate. The Favarger factory opens its doors and reveals some of its secrets. Let yourself be guided and discover the beautiful adventure of the Favarger family. No staging here! We show you the real process of artisanal manufacturing. Dressed in your charlotte and protective clothing, you will discover each step of production: from the selection of raw materials, the roasting of the beans and the creation of the chocolate.

This former episcopal residence, converted into a museum, houses the archaeological finds of the Petit-Chasseur site. It is made up of two large historical sections dating from 50,000 BC to 2150! You can follow in the footsteps of the history of the Valais. We discover ceramic remains from the Roman period, and coins. An entire room is devoted to the magnificent wooden chests dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, known to be one of the most beautiful sets in Europe.

This 204 m-long wooden covered bridge is Lucerne's landmark! Built in the first half of the ^14th century, it takes its name from the nearby St. Peter's Chapel. Since the ^17th century, its framework has been adorned with numerous paintings depicting scenes from the history of the country, as well as the city's patron saints, St. Leodegar and St. Maurice. In the middle of the bridge, stop to admire the water tower, once used as a prison and torture chamber.

Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, the building harmoniously combines Romanesque and Gothic styles. See the altar and the statue of the Virgin from the 14th century. On the walls and the vault of the apse, all the paintings were made in the 15th century, especially the second register with the representation of twelve prophets. In the choir, there is a painting of the Adoration of the Magi and sculpted stalls that hide a 15th century fresco representing the Annunciation.

In Riehen, near Basel, this magnificent building was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, who also created the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Nestled in an English-style park, amid wheat fields and lily ponds, this luminous structure blends into the landscape, surrounded by a winter garden and the Villa Berower, home to the museum's restaurant. Here, nature, art and architecture coexist in perfect harmony.

Founded by Basel gallery owners Hildy and Ernst Beyeler, collectors of ^20th-century masters, the foundation, inaugurated in 1997, houses a vast collection of 400 works of post-impressionist, modern and contemporary art, plus 30 ethnographic objects from Africa, Oceania and Alaska, which are presented several times a year in changing exhibitions. Thematic exhibitions devoted to cities and artistic movements that played a decisive role in the development of modern art are also regularly organized. The founding couple had a clear vision for their foundation: an open, lively museum capable of inspiring a broad public with a love of art, and which would not only promote cultural education, but also encourage exchange. Today, the Foundation's worldwide reputation makes it one of Switzerland's most popular museums. It is also one of the most beautiful, thanks to the generous proportions of its halls, which display works of art in remarkable natural light.

In the Plateforme 10 arts district, a new showcase has been designed to house unique collections of over 1.2 million phototypes. Exhibitions by renowned photographers such as Robert Doisneau and Irving Penn, as well as those by young talents, will be on show throughout the year in the permanent collection and in temporary exhibitions. Various meetings and conferences are organized throughout the year. The New Generation Museum shares its museum space with the MUDAC Design Museum.

Here's an excellent way to discover the shores of Geneva and the region from a completely different angle. Founded in 1873, CGN has a fleet of 19 boats, including 8 Belle Epoque vessels. Departing from the quays of Mont-Blanc and Jardin Anglais, as well as Pâquis and Eaux-Vives, you can cruise along the beautiful shores of the Geneva harbor, or head for other cities (Nyon, Yvoire, Evian, Lausanne). It also offers a wide range of hourly, day, evening and gourmet cruises, with numerous escapades to Swiss and French shores.

Sail on Lake Geneva, its waters changing according to the season or the light, between the Alps and the Jura mountains, to discover the Swiss shores from another perspective. It's a unique experience. In addition to its regular shipping services, CGN also offers a wide range of cruises, the jewel in the crown of which is its fleet of superb Belle Époque cruise ships, commissioned between 1904 and 1927. These steam- or diesel-powered boats with side-mounted paddlewheels look great. Come aboard the flagship of this historic fleet, aptly named La Suisse, or one of its luxurious companions: Savoie, Italie, Montreux (the oldest!), Rhône, Vevey, Helvétie or Simplon. Dinners, fondues, lunches and sightseeing tours are a must! A unique heritage preserved by CGN.

It is an unusual building, to say the least, with an original architecture, erected to the glory of the Duke of Brunswick (1804-1873) on the Quai du Mont-Blanc. Charles d'Este-Guelph, Duke of Brunswick, was a singular character. A distinguished linguist, a skilled horseman and a knowledgeable musician, he amassed an immense fortune through excellent investments. Having spent the last three years of his life in Geneva, he instituted the city as his universal legatee on one condition: that it erect a mausoleum for him "in a prominent and dignified position".

St. Elisabeth's Church in Basel, saved from demolition in the 1980s, has become an emblematic venue for spirituality, culture and events. In the heart of Basel, it hosts parades, banquets and spiritual practices. A 215-step ascent leads to a breathtaking panoramic view. Switzerland's first "urban church", it celebrates diversity. Its history and architecture make it a jewel of Basel, open to all.

Surrounded by an exceptional lake and mountains as far as the eye can see, Kloster Einsiedeln has been a place of pilgrimage for over a thousand years. It is a splendid monument built in the early ^18th century. The abbey church is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture to be found anywhere in the country. The huge monastery, designed by Kaspar Moosbrugger, features the black marble Chapel of the Graces, in which the famous ^15th-century Black Madonna stands beneath a frescoed dome. The exterior is very imposing, with dimensions worthy of the castles of Schönbrunn or Versailles. The Baroque style lends an indisputable magnificence to this complex, built on the site of a first convent dating back to the ^9th century. The interior is even more remarkable, with a Baroque profusion that would make the finest Italian monuments pale in comparison. The total length of the church exceeds 100 m. The nave, over 40 m long, is a jewel, extended by the choir designed by Kraus. Einsiedeln Abbey is a Benedictine abbey rich in tradition, home to some 50 monks and Switzerland's most important place of pilgrimage. In addition to the monks' residence, the abbey includes a school, ten workshops, a wine cellar and stables. The monks also offer concerts, guided tours and masses. A place not to be missed.

A cruise on Lake Lucerne is a must and all seasons bring their own attractions. In addition to the simple pleasure of sailing and enjoying the magnificent scenery of the mountains and the city (the city lights at night are dazzling!), there is the added advantage of connecting interesting areas without taking your car. With its five historic paddlewheelers and fifteen elegant motor boats, you will travel back in time and reach the most important tourist destinations in the region.

This patrician residence was begun in the ^17th century by Jean-François de Courten. Formerly the Château de la Cour, the building became the Hôtel Château Bellevue in 1888. The hotel welcomed illustrious visitors such as the writer Rainer Maria Rilke and the German philosopher Rudolf Kassner, who stayed at the hotel for seventeen years. In 1964, the city of Sierre purchased the building and the Hôtel Château Bellevue became the present-day town hall. The interior is of great elegance, with magnificent painted ceilings and murals.

The zoo is home to 5,500 animals from all over the world, divided into 360 species, including the exotic fish aquarium. The zoo fulfils two functions: raising visitors' awareness of nature conservation and preserving endangered species through exchange programs with other zoos. Constantly evolving, the park has seen the opening of the Masoala rainforest (2003) before the construction of the elephant dome (2014) and the Mongolian steppe (2015). Construction work on Panterra, the feline facility, began in July 2023.

Here is a real exploration in the skin of a zoologist, a specialist of the sea bed, a botanist, a geologist... This excellent museum, with a very dynamic management, obtains all the suffrages with the children as with the adults. It is a real journey before time, one could almost say that the animals have a "second life" installed in the heart of their natural environment. Each floor has recreated a new climatic environment. The world of the savannah is in the background to highlight the elephants, giraffes, antelopes, gazelles and wildcats, so much so that one could almost believe they are still alive.

We pass successively from continent to continent, in tropical countries, from the equator to the arctic, desert or temperate worlds. One passes to the world of birds, to the underwater world, to the mineral world, from floor to floor, without forgetting the presentation of the famous Lucy and the two-headed turtle, the highlight of the museum. The museum regularly organizes very good temporary exhibitions on the scientific issues of the future, current topics, including the environment, as well as conferences on geosciences, fossils, dinosaurs, volcanoes, or guided tours with exciting themes. Regularly: "Ciné-samedi/ciné-dimanche", Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. Animations on Wednesdays from 2 to 4:30 pm. An excellent museum, therefore, of which the children do not get tired. We always go back there!

Created in 1191, it is the first western gate of the city and has housed the city's main clock since 1530. The top of the tower offers a beautiful view of the city. The clock is famous for its carousel of figures that come to life every hour. This masterpiece was designed by Casper Brunner. The automatons, dating from 1527-1530, start their ballet early (4 min), with the crowing of the rooster and the jester's bell. Then, on time, come the bears, who make as many turns as there are hours. The central figure, Cronos, then turns over his hourglass and signals the hours with his sceptre, while the lion does the same with a nod of his head; meanwhile, at the very top, Hans Von Tal rings the hours on the bell. Above the dial, the Roman deities Venus, Mars and Jupiter are painted on the wall with their attributes. Then the rooster closes the ballet by crowing a third time (allusion to the words of Jesus to Saint Peter). The movement of the clock, which can be seen on request, is still provided, rarely, by the original mechanism; a golden hand indicates the solar time, the Sun, the current zodiac sign; in the outer red part appears the day of the week; a black and gold ball indicates the phases of the Moon by turning on itself; finally, a star indicates the day of the week, in the Julian calendar (i.e. without taking into account the leap years) A must-see at any time to admire the automatons.

In 2011, monumental black and white frescoes depicting scenes from Charlie Chaplin's films were inaugurated on the two towers of Gilamont, in the presence of Jamel Debbouze, Pascal Légitimus, Michel Leeb and Eugène Chaplin. These frescoes (the largest in Switzerland, at 40 metres high) were created by the painter-performer Frank Bourroullec. A total of 1,720^{m2 of} brushstrokes were needed to turn these towers into art paintings. The project was set up to enhance the district where 400 people live.

Above all, there is a magnificent panorama of the Jura and the valley at the top of the hill, the Léman and the alpine mountains beyond. In fine weather you can see eight lakes in all, French-speaking Switzerland and neighbouring France. The situation of the Tooth, which culminates at 1 487 m, is of course a great deal. The chalet of the Tooth De is easily accessible by road or by various trails. In winter, you can mount a lift.

In the 18th century, a section of the mountain collapsed, transforming a charming mountain pasture into a field of rocks. The latter being rarer in Switzerland than the former, Derborence has at least gained fame, well helped by Ramuz' novel of the same name. The valley is ideal for exploring the surrounding nature where you will see the black cows native to the Val d'Hérens. You are in the heart of the mountain pastures and many walks from the lake are very accessible to all. Authentic, the mayens are the typical rural habitat of these mountain pastures.

The story begins in November 1881, with the inauguration of the Kursaal casino, then more of an English-style concert hall. In 1883, a gambling game called "les petits chevaux" was introduced. From 1914 to 1945, the Kursaal's famous 6-piece orchestra played non-stop. In 1962, the first Venetian-style dance hall, the Lido, was inaugurated, and in 1966, the Montreux Jazz Festival celebrated its first edition here, as well as the twenty-six that followed. On December 4, 1971, the Casino Kursaal burned down during a Frank Zappa concert. The Mothers of Invention orchestra cancelled all its European concerts. In memory of this sad event, Deep Purple composed the song Smoke on the Water, written that very night in the stairwell of the Grand Hotel in Territet, where they were staying. Three and a half years later, the casino reopened. It offers gambling, shows, banquets, a restaurant, a nightclub, a cinema, a swimming pool, a yacht club, as well as a recording studio that has played host to some of the world's most famous artists, including David Bowie, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and Michael Jackson, to name but a few.

The 10,000^m2 casino features slot machines, table games, electronic games and poker, as well as three restaurants, two bars, two terraces, a superb swimming pool and the former Mountain Studios, an area dedicated to the band Queen. And don't forget that the casino wins.... extremely often...

What could be more pleasant in summer than a dip in the lake? Parc Bourget is the kingdom of birds and fans of nature and evening parties. The park is also the site of the execution of Major Davel, who was beheaded in 1723 for wanting to free Lausanne from the Bernese yoke and for his insurrection. The entire park is listed as a historic garden. On summer evenings and weekends, many families and groups of friends come to play volleyball, swim in the lake, picnic or barbecue

The MCBA, formerly housed in the Palais Rumine, is a key element of Plateforme 10, alongside the mudac and Photo Élysées. The building, adorned with bricks evoking the site's industrial past, boasts forward-looking architecture. Inside, the large glass roof and spacious rooms set the tone: space is given over to light and new perspectives. On the second floor, a large bay window opens onto the lake.

"See here what you can't see anywhere else! The MCBA's collection is very rich and constantly rethinking itself. It brings together a large number of works from the Renaissance to the present day. Over the centuries, these works have been inspired by various currents (classicism, orientalism, impressionism, expressionism, informal art, etc.) and reflect the influences felt by Swiss artists during their travels. The museum brings together the various currents: religious paintings, portraits, exotic descriptions of travels, history, post-impressionism, symbolism, which we discover, among others, with Ferdinand Hodler and his superb paintings of Lake Geneva. Highlights include neo-classicism, academicism, realism, symbolism and post-impressionism; abstract painting in Europe and the United States; Swiss and international video art; new figuration; geometric abstraction and, across all periods, artistic practices reflecting political and social commitment. Other important monographic collections include works by Charles Gleyre, Félix Vallotton, Louis Soutter, Pierre Soulages and Giuseppe Penone. We have the pleasure of discovering sculptures by Rodin and Bourdelle, avant-garde paintings, works by Giacometti, Jean Dubuffet, Paul Klee and Louis Soutter, as well as the abstract expressionism of Cy Twombly, the pop art of the 1970s and the abstraction of the 1980s..

The MCBA is resolutely forward-looking, fascinating and constantly reinventing itself through its dynamic new temporary exhibitions, encounters between artists and the public, workshops and events. Guided tours, workshops for children, families and adults, or guided tours by the curators of temporary exhibitions: the museum team is constantly coming up with new ideas to involve the public of all ages and backgrounds, in an educational and inclusive perspective.

Discover the botanical treasure trove of the University of Basel, founded in 1589. Nestled near the Spalentor since 1898, its elegant Victorian greenhouse bears witness to its history. With over 8,000 plant species, explore desert ecosystems to alpine gardens. An ideal learning ground for students, its greenhouse collections, including the famous Victoria House, are fascinating. Outside, a diversity of trees invites contemplation!

In the heart of the city of Zurich, in a small covered alleyway, the remains of a Roman thermal bath discovered in 1983 are on display. They have been left in situ and can be viewed as they are. Archaeologists estimate that the baths date from 160 AD and must have covered an area of 500 m². They were even enlarged at the beginning of the 3rd century. The baths were of great importance in the social life of the Romans and it is not surprising to have discovered them in the heart of the city. The visit is free and well worth the detour.

The Rhine Falls are a must for Swiss tourism! Formed some seventeen thousand years ago, the largest waterfall in Europe is an impressive sight: several hundred cubic metres of water per second, 23 metres high, 13 metres deep and 150 metres wide. The impressive waterfalls can be admired from various vantage points (free of charge)! The majestic castles of Wörth and Laufen are also accessible by boat.

Freitag is the Zurich brand that everyone is talking about all over the world! Created by two Zurich brothers, proud inhabitants of Zurich West, Freitag bags are handmade from colourful and above all madly trendy truck tarpaulins. The brand's flagship store is located in a surprising tower composed of seventeen colourful sea containers 26 metres high. Totally unusual, it's worth a look!

More than a chocolate museum, it's an immersion in the heart of a family saga, whose successive generations have handed down values of authenticity, innovation and sustainability, through their cult brands Ragusa and Torino. You'll get up close and personal with the company's history, its traditional brands and its modern production. Thanks to a discovery trail and workshops, the visit will appeal to all your senses in a playful way.

The Fondation Les Cerlatez, created in 1993 and located 3 km from Saignelégier, develops activities in the field of information, research and protection on the theme of wetlands and in particular on peat bogs. You will discover the particularities of the peat bogs which, in Switzerland, began at the end of the ice age, 12,000 years ago. You can also visit the Maison de la réserve naturelle de l'étang de la Gruère, the vivarium and the small botanical garden.

Date of the th century; from 1757 to 1806, he belonged to the Abbey of St. Gallen. It was then extensively transformed into the 1958 th century and now houses an evangelical home (since).

Want to learn more about the city and its history? Visit the Heimatmuseum. This local museum in Davos has set itself the task of tracing the evolution of this former farming village into a modern town, developed thanks to tourism, and of educating the public about everyday life in the past, local customs and crafts. To this end, a rich collection of historical objects and documents is on display in this ^16th-century building, now a family museum.