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Bâtiment des Forces Motrices

Theaters ·Geneva ·Coulouvreniere Rois
4.61.2K
#1Theaters in Geneva#2Theaters in SwitzerlandTravelers' Choice
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About

Bâtiment des Forces Motrices is a former hydraulic powerhouse in the Rhône at Place des Volontaires, Genève, now a theatre and events venue.

Menu & prices

Dimanche | 04.04.2027 18h00 LES THÉÂTRALES // UN CHÂTEAU DE CARTES Adam et Carol

More photos 5

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Bâtiment des Forces Motrices — Aerial view of the building surrounded by water and channels

Bâtiment des Forces Motrices — Aerial view of the building surrounded by water and channelsBâtiment des Forces Motrices — Ornate entrance and extended riverside facade in daylightBâtiment des Forces Motrices — The pump house spanning the river beside the city banksBâtiment des Forces Motrices — The pump house and river seen from the opposite bankBâtiment des Forces Motrices — Close view of the ornate central facade and arched window

What's on here

TATTY MACLEOD - THINGS MY MOTHER DID TATTY MACLEOD - THINGS MY MOTHER DID Friday · All day 32ème MONDIAL D'IMPRO - Finale 32ème MONDIAL D'IMPRO - Finale Saturday · All day BOUDCHART BOUDCHART Sunday · All day SYMPHON’HIP-HOP AVEC TIMAR, AAMO, DAKEEZ, MIBSY, KAMIL OSMANOV ET… SYMPHON’HIP-HOP AVEC TIMAR, AAMO, DAKEEZ, MIBSY, KAMIL OSMANOV ET… Tuesday · All day CLASSIQUE ? VICTORIA DAUBERVILLE CLASSIQUE ? VICTORIA DAUBERVILLE Wednesday · All day GUIHOME GUIHOME Thursday · All day GUIHOME GUIHOME Friday · All day SYMPHONIC DISCO 70s-80s-90-00s SYMPHONIC DISCO 70s-80s-90-00s Saturday · All day Show more

Why go

  • The birthplace of Geneva’s first water jet, predecessor of today’s Jet d’eau.
  • Statues of Neptune, Cérès and Mercure on the lake-facing façade.
  • Two pumps retained in the small wing.

The hall

Main floor
801 seats
Balcony gallery
144 seats
Total
945 seats

Interesting facts7

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  1. Pressurised water powered machinery used by clockmakers and other small businesses.

    Bâtiment des Forces motrices - Wikipedia

  2. The plant helped regulate Lake Geneva’s level.

    Bâtiment des Forces motrices - Wikipedia

  3. The former plant was known as the Usine hydraulique de la Coulouvrenière.

    Bâtiment des Forces motrices - Wikipedia

  4. The powerhouse has an L-shaped plan, large arched windows and a roof without interior pillars.

    Bâtiment des Forces motrices - Wikipedia

  5. An iron truss supports the roof, leaving the interior free of columns and supporting walls.

    Usine des Forces Motrices - Wikipedia

  6. Large glazed arched windows line the stone-clad concrete structure.

    Usine des Forces Motrices - Wikipedia

  7. Escher Wyss & Cie. of Zurich supplied the Jonval turbines.

    Bâtiment des Forces motrices - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

  1. 1880By 1880, the installation at Pont de la Machine could no longer meet the city’s water demand.
  2. 1882On 30 December, Genève received the concession to use Rhône water power and committed to building a new hydraulic plant. Daniel Colladon initiated the project, and Théodore Turrettini led its construction for the city.
  3. 1882After Plainpalais rejected a boundary change, the proposed plant was moved to an artificial island in the Rhône.
  4. 1883Construction began on the Rhône in November.
  5. 1886The first five Jonval turbines began operating in May, producing 900 kW together.
Show all
  1. 1891The Jet d’eau was moved into the lake as a tourist attraction.
  2. 1892The long wing was completed and the main turbine hall was ready.
  3. 1897The plant reached 18 turbines and a total capacity of 3.3 MW.
  4. 1960sJonval turbines were gradually replaced by Kaplan turbines.
  5. 1963Power generation ended.
  6. 1988Drinking-water pumping ended; the building was designated a historic monument and subsequently recognized as a cultural asset of national importance.
  7. 1992The plant was abandoned after the Arquebuse pumping station replaced it.
  8. 1997The former turbine hall opened as a theatre in September.

How to get there

  • On footA pedestrian footbridge links the building with Promenade des Lavandières, the Seujet dam esplanade and Place des Volontaires, where it meets the riverbank at the southern end of the side wing.

Sources: Bâtiment des Forces motrices - Wikipedia · Théâtre et Espace Culturel · BFM Genève - LES THÉÂTRALES // UN CHÂTEAU DE CA… · Usine des Forces Motrices - Wikipedia · Bâtiment des Forces motrices - Wikipedia · checked 26 Sep 2026

Where
place des Volontaires 2, 1204, Genève
Website
bfm.ch/fr/

Plan from here: With kids →

Questions and answers

What is the hall at Bâtiment des Forces Motrices called?

Salle Théodore Turrettini.

Why was the theatre conversion planned?

The new hall was intended to accommodate Grand Théâtre productions for a year.

Who designed the conversion of Bâtiment des Forces Motrices?

Architect Bernard Picenni designed the reception area in the small wing and the performance hall in the large wing.

When does Café BFM open?

The bar opens one hour before performances.

Who supplied the original turbines?

Escher Wyss & Cie. of Zurich supplied the Jonval turbines.

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