Palais des Nations
- Visit: about 1 h
- from CHF 12
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Why go
- Around 8,000 meetings, including about 600 large conferences, take place here each year.
- A time capsule beneath the foundation stone contains the League Covenant, a member list and specimen coins.
- League of Nations members funded the palace’s interior.
Opening hours
TodayClosedShow all
Don't miss
- Hans Erni muralInstalled at the Place des Nations entrance in 2009; look for it if the tour route permits.Place des Nations entrance2009
- Clemens Weiss installationInstalled outside the entrance to the Salle du Conseil in 1996; look for it if the tour route permits.Outside the entrance to the Salle du Conseil1996
Know before you go
- Only selected areas of the complex are open to visitors, and visits are by guided tour.
- Visitors pass passport and security checks.
- Ariana Park is closed to general public access for security reasons.
Tips for your visit
- Collect a visitor badge, buy your ticket downstairs, then go to Building E through door E39 and wait in the lobby.
- The guided tour includes a small cinema showing clips about the UN’s work.
Interesting facts4
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37 metres
Building E rises 37 metres.
Palais des Nations - Wikipedia -
600 metres
The complex is about 600 metres long, with 34 conference rooms and around 2,800 offices.
Palais des Nations - Wikipedia -
1,600 people
The United Nations Office at Geneva employs more than 1,600 people from around the world.
Who we are | The United Nations Office at Geneva -
100,000 visitors
Guided tours attract about 100,000 visitors each year.
Palais des Nations - Wikipedia
Shorts
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Palais des Nations - Genève - SuisseDaniel Malys
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Tour inside the Palais des Nations in Geneva -Euro-Med Monitor
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Palais des NationsTiago Águeda
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SWISSVIEW - GE, Palais des Nations - GenèveSWISSVIEW
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Palais des Nations construction, Geneva, Switzerland. 1935UN GENEVA CONFERENCES
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PALAIS DES NATIONS UNIES GENÈVE FALL 2022Mountaga Thiam
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Palais des Nations, Geneva (Switzerland)Luiz Valério P. Trindade
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Palais des Nations Unies de Genève SuisseArrama Chakib
History
The Palais was designed in a restrained neoclassical style. Ariana Park includes three former private villas: La Fenêtre, now the director general’s residence, and Le Bocage and La Pelouse, which serve administrative functions.
- 1820–1853Three former private villas were built in Ariana Park: La Fenêtre, Le Bocage and La Pelouse.
- 1926An architecture competition drew 377 proposals, but the jury chose no winner. Five architects collaborated on the final design.
- 1929–1938The foundation stone was laid on 7 September 1929; construction continued until 1938.
- 1968–1973Building E was built as a 37-metre-high conference centre.
- After transfer to the United NationsThe complex was enlarged with additional floors and two buildings.
Show all
- December 1988The UN General Assembly moved its 43rd session from New York to the Palais to hear Yasser Arafat.
- 2015The UN began a renovation plan to preserve heritage, improve accessibility and technology, and reduce the buildings’ environmental footprint.
- 2022Building H, designed by SOM Architects, opened.
How to get there
- BusTake bus 8 to the Appia stop, then enter the complex through the Appia gate.
Sources: Palace of Nations - Wikipedia · Geneva - Wikivoyage (see) · Homepage | The United Nations Office at Geneva · About | The United Nations Office at Geneva · Who we are | The United Nations Office at Geneva · Palais des Nations - Wikipedia · Palais des Nations - Wikipedia · Palais des Nations - Wikipedia · checked 25 Sep 2026
- Website
- ungeneva.org/
- Phone
- +41 22 917 48 96
Questions and answers
What does the United Nations Office at Geneva do?
It represents the UN Secretary-General in Geneva, manages UN facilities there and provides conference services for UN system meetings in Geneva and elsewhere.
How long is the Palais des Nations?
The complex is about 600 metres long, with 34 conference rooms and around 2,800 offices.
Can you visit the Palais des Nations?
Yes. Some areas are open on guided tours, and visitors pass passport and security checks.
How do you get to the Palais des Nations?
Take bus 8 to the Appia stop and enter through the Appia gate.
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