Henry Dunant was a Geneva businessman who, after witnessing the aftermath of the battle of Solferino in 1859, devoted his life to helping the wounded. The movement he inspired, which became the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, still has its roots in Geneva, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum tells its story in a way that stays with visitors long after they leave. The museum stands on the Avenue de la Paix opposite the Palais des Nations, in a low building set into a green slope so that its galleries sit largely underground. The permanent exhibition, called The Humanitarian Adventure, avoids the usual wall of dates and focuses on three themes: defending human dignity, restoring family links and reducing natural risks. Instead of long texts, you meet people, through film, photographs, voices and objects that were carried through wars, prisons and disasters. Some rooms are moving and some are uncomfortable, but the tone is thoughtful rather than sensational, and the museum is particularly good at showing how ordinary people and small acts of courage can change what happens in a crisis. It is not a museum for entertainment, but it is one of the most meaningful places you can visit in a city that calls itself a capital of peace.
Planning the visit
The museum is at Avenue de la Paix 17 and is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00, and closed on Mondays. On Thursdays it stays open until 20:00. It closes on 24, 25 and 31 December and on 1 January. A full ticket for the permanent and temporary exhibitions costs CHF 15, and an audio guide for the permanent exhibition costs CHF 2.
Reduced prices apply to young people aged 12 to 22, seniors, jobseekers and some other groups, children under 12 enter free, and families can claim a discount. Holders of passes such as the Geneva City Pass and the Swiss Travel Pass also enter free. A café on site is open during the day.
Getting there
The museum is a ten-minute walk from Place des Nations through the Ariana Park, and several buses from Cornavin station stop near the museum at the Appia stop, including lines 8 and 20. The Geneva Transport Card that hotel guests receive covers the journey. A bike lane runs along the Avenue de la Paix and the museum has a bicycle park.
What to expect
The permanent exhibition is designed to be walked through at your own pace, with an audio guide that gives context to each space. Expect powerful images, some difficult subject matter and a number of quiet, reflective spaces. Children under about twelve may find some of the material too heavy, so decide in advance whether it suits your family. Temporary exhibitions change through the year, so there is often something new even for repeat visitors. The museum gardens are a calm place to sit afterwards.
Making the most of it
Allow about two hours, and more if you listen to the testimonies. The museum is an easy pairing with the Palais des Nations, which is directly across the road, and with the Ariana Museum of ceramics and the Broken Chair monument on Place des Nations. A morning at CERN, a tour of the United Nations and an afternoon at the Red Cross Museum add up to one of the most distinctive days of sightseeing anywhere in Europe.
Because the museum is a little way from the lake, it is best planned alongside other international sights rather than as a separate trip. Plan a quiet moment afterwards, perhaps in the park or at the café, to take in what you have seen. For anyone interested in history, ethics or the way that Geneva has shaped the modern world, this is among the most rewarding visits in the city.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided museum visit through a permanent exhibition on humanitarian action, with an audio guide, temporary exhibitions and a garden.
Best time
A weekday morning, or Thursday evening when the museum stays open until 20:00.
How long
About two hours, longer if you listen to the testimonies.
Tips
Avoid Mondays, take the audio guide, combine it with the Palais des Nations across the road and allow time to reflect afterwards.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Thoughtful travellers, history lovers and anyone who wants to understand Geneva’s role in the world.
- Families
- Best for teenagers and older children; some material is heavy for the very young.
- Couples
- A meaningful visit followed by a walk through the Ariana Park to the Palais des Nations.
- Pair with
- The Palais des Nations and the Broken Chair, directly across the road.
- Time needed
- Allow two hours, or a half-day with the UN tour.
Good questions
When is the Red Cross Museum open?+
It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00, with late opening until 20:00 on Thursdays. It is closed on Mondays and on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
How much does the Red Cross Museum cost?+
A full ticket costs CHF 15, with reduced prices for young people, seniors and some other groups. Children under 12 enter free, and the Geneva City Pass and Swiss Travel Pass give free entry.
How do I get to the Red Cross Museum?+
Take bus 8 or 20 from Cornavin station to the Appia stop, or walk ten minutes from Place des Nations through the Ariana Park.
Is the Red Cross Museum suitable for children?+
It suits teenagers and older children well. Some material deals with war and disaster, so parents of younger children should judge for themselves.
Is there an audio guide?+
Yes, an audio guide for the permanent exhibition is available for a small extra charge.
