Musée Ariana, or The Ariana Museum in English, is a touristic landmark in Geneva, Switzerland. It is alternatively referred to as Musée suisse de la céramique et du verre (Swiss Museum of Ceramics and Glass.) Musée Ariana is a member of Geneva’s association of art and history museums. Founded by Gustave Revilliod, it houses a magnificent collection of ceramic and glass artwork, and it is the only collection of its kind in Switzerland. Situated within walking distance of the Place des Nations, it is one of many beautiful attractions to visit in this area close to the city centre.

A brief history

Musée Ariana was built by Geneva patron and art collector Gustave Revilliod at the end of the 19th Century. The palatial structure was built to house a large collection of ceramic and glass art, but also paintings, sculptures, and many other forms of art. Revilliod named the museum after his mother, Ariane de la Rive, who left him an inheritance that he used to construct it. He subsequently gave the Musée Ariana, and all its contents, to the City of Geneva.

The museum’s architecture incorporates both neo-classical and neo-baroque elements. It underwent a complete renovation between 1981 and 1993.

Practical Information

Musee Ariana is situated on Avenue de la Paix, a short walk away from the entrance to the famous Palais des Nations. From Tuesday to Sunday, doors are open between 10am and 6pm. The museum is closed on Mondays.

There is no fee to view the museum’s permanent collections, and young people under the age of 18 are admitted to all collections for free. There is a range of fees to view the temporary exhibitions:

• Underground Level Exhibition: Full/Reduced Price (8 CHF/ 6 CHF)
• First Floor Exhibition: Full/Reduced Price (5 CHF/ 3 CHF)
• Underground + First Floor Exhibitions: Full/Reduced Price (10 CHF/ 7 CHF)

The reduced tarif applies to students. More information can be found on the museum’s official website.

Getting There

10 avenue de la Paix, CH – 1202 Geneva

Buses 5 – 8 – 11 – 18 – 22 – F – V – Z, or Tram 15.

There are blue parking spaces along Ave. de la Paix near the museum, free for one hour. Otherwise paid parking is available at Nations.

More to do in Geneva

Here are some more points of interest in the city (pages in French):

• Ferme de la Chappelle, Lancy
• Horloge Fleurie
• Immeuble Clarté
• L’immeuble des Schtroumpfs
• Le Mur des Reformateurs
• Maison de la Paix
• Monument Brunswick
• Les Pierres du Niton
• Sentier des Saules
• Statue de Jean-Jacques Rousseau
• Statue Frankenstein