Maison Tavel
- Visit: 1–2 hours
- Step-free access
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Why go
- Geneva’s oldest preserved private residence, a rare example of medieval civil architecture in Switzerland.
- Twelve second-floor rooms showing aspects of life in 17th-century Geneva.
- Prints, paintings, maps, models and furniture documenting Geneva and its residents from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
Opening hours
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Don't miss
- Relief MagninA large model of Geneva made by architect Auguste Magnin, showing the city before its fortifications were demolished in 1850.Attic
- Romanesque vaulted cellarsThe arches rest on columns topped with carved capitals in a restrained style reminiscent of Cistercian monastic buildings.Cellars
- Gothic stone sculpturesTen stone sculptures with faces, dating from 1334–1337, decorate the façade.Street-facing façade
- Gobelet André FalquetA goblet in the collection.
Know before you go
- Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00–18:00.
What's inside
- Three floors cover Geneva’s history from the Middle Ages through the 19th century.
- The collection documents Geneva and its residents through prints, paintings, maps, models, furniture and other objects.
- Ten featured works can each form the focus of a visit.
- Temporary exhibitions are held in the basement.
With kids
- An elevator provides stroller access to the upper floors.
Tips for your visit
- Allow 1–2 hours for a visit.
- Maison Tavel is near the city hall and cathedral in Geneva’s Old Town.
Interesting facts7
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In the Middle Ages, the cellars hosted trade and opened directly onto the street, separately from the rest of the house.
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The cellars’ two-level arrangement resulted from additional construction in the 17th century.
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The street-facing façade is painted dark grey to evoke its 17th-century appearance.
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1979
Excavations begun in 1979 uncovered 11th-century tower remains and a 17th-century cistern in the garden.
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The tower-like Romanesque foundations extend ten metres deep.
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The garden cistern measures seven metres across.
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1303
The earliest historical records of the building date to 1303.
Casa Tavel - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
The Calandrini, a wealthy merchant family, made major changes in the 17th and early 18th centuries.
- 12th centuryThe building’s origins probably date to the 12th century.
- Late 13th centuryThe Tavel family acquired the house; the family owned it until the early 16th century.
- 1334A fire destroyed part of Geneva, including the Tavel home. The family rebuilt it as a fortified house with two corner turrets; it was considered the city’s finest residence.
- 17th–early 18th centuriesThe Calandrini, a wealthy merchant family, altered the house, removing one turret and cutting new windows into its walls.
- 1923Maison Tavel received heritage protection.
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- 1963The city of Geneva acquired the house.
- 1970–1986Architect Antoine Galeras led the house’s renovation.
- 1986The house opened as a museum of Geneva’s urban history and daily life.
Accessibility
- Step-free entrance Use the level entrance and ring the bell or use the intercom.
Sources: Maison Tavel - Wikipedia · Geneva - Wikivoyage (see) · Maison Tavel · Maison Tavel - Wikipedia · Casa Tavel - Wikipedia · checked 29 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +41 22 418 37 00
Questions and answers
Why is Maison Tavel named after the Tavel family?
The family owned the house from the late 13th century until the early 16th century.
When was Maison Tavel first recorded in writing?
The earliest historical records of the building date to 1303.
What was Maison Tavel known for after it was rebuilt?
After rebuilding, it was considered Geneva’s finest residence.
Is Maison Tavel part of the Musées d’art et d’histoire?
Yes. Maison Tavel joined the Musées d’art et d’histoire network in 1986.
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