Quartier Libre by SIG has become a crucial place on Geneva’s map. Each exhibition they organize is fantastic, but the current one, Global Happiness, is incredibly brilliant, heart touching and thought-provoking.

Global Happiness is a very family-friendly exhibition! Adults will learn a lot, children will have fun. We tested it for you, and all agree to make it #parentvillerecommended outing. 

Brought to Geneva by Helvetas.

HAPPY

SDG

FUN

TIMELY

I cannot imagine a better exhibition after a year and a half of a global crisis.

This exhibition is a must-see. It is highly educational for people of all ages. Last year and a half showed how tightly connected we are with people on the other side of the globe. We now know more than ever what we need to be happy: freedom, community, safety, healthcare, social security, our families (in random order).

NOW YOU

Did I convince you to visit The Global Happiness exhibition? When you do, I would love to know your thoughts about it and whether you feel affected by its content.

PRACTICAL INFO

Merre et Terre is a shop but also so much more than a shop. You can go there to buy lots of  baby-related articles, all organic and planet-friendly. But you can also go for advice, go there to meet other moms. Walk in to be listened, not judged, to join a community, make friends. It is one of these uplifting and heartwarming places that are difficult to describe with words. It is located in Grens (Nyon) but Marianne, the founder, is opening another tsore in Geneva soon!

If I knew about Mere et Terre 9 years ago (as in if my French was good enough to google it) I would probably use cloth diapers, and get solutions for many other problems. Learn from my mistakes, don;t hesitate to go there!

The story

When Marianne gave birth to her first child in 2005, she wanted to use cloth diapers but couldn’t find any in the region. Her midwife was kind enough to give her a couple she found through other families. When two years later, she was awaiting her second baby she tried to find cloth diapers again. And she did, in Lausanne. The lady selling these diapers made Marianne the ambassador of her shop, and this is how it all started.

A couple of leaflets later, parents in the Versoix region were inquiring about the cloth diapers. Marianne saw the interest, the niche and started thinking that there are more interested parents out there for sure.

As she was walking to the birthing house la Grange Rouge in Grens, where she planned to give birth, she saw an empty, free place. Long story short, she gave birth in December and in March this free place became Merre et Terre HQ.

For yeras she has been asked to open also in Geneva and after searching for a perfect location, this dream of many families will come true! Mere et Terre is coming to Geneva: September 2021, Quartier des Grottes!

What’s inside

Inside, first of all, you will always find an experienced, gentle and supportive staff. No matter what product you’re looking for they will adapt the offer to your needs. For example not everyone is comfortable with the same baby carrier, not all babies are the same and need different things to reach the same goal (eg babies with reflux can benefit from a different cot setup). I could write for many pages about the products this shop has. 

The important thing to know is that Marianne makes sure the products are eco – from materials, through production, to the end result. Not all bamboo diapers are truly eco – depends on the factory, she tells me. I was impressed with how much thought and work she gives to each product on the shelve: from clothes to cosmetics, from diapers to cariers. 

Cloth diapers are more and more popular but it is still difficult to find answers to all questions, which makes many parents abandon the idea and stick to disposable nappies. If you have questions, if you hesitate, go and ask Marianne or one of her employees (Marianne speaks English). They will tell you all about it, and answer the most troubling questions.

Mere et Terre Geneva

Merre et Terre in Geneva will offer the same asortment of products, the same heartwarming atmoshephere, with a goal to create a community, to build a village parents needs. The staff in the Geneva shop will speak English (yey for acknowledging the international community!).

The shop will occupy half of the premises, while the other part will be used for all kinds of activities. There will be baby yoga by an amazing maternity coach, Debbie. The association Doula Geneve will rent it twice a week to organize meetings for women to talk about different topics (pregnancy, birth, menstruation – and I hope soon also menopause). If you’re up for prenatal hypnose, this will be your place. But if you’re looking more for baby activities, then sign classes should meet your needs. Of course, let’s not forget the babywearing courses. I’m sure there will be more!

Doesn’t it already look like a perfect place?

HELP

Merre et Terre needs a tiny bit of help to assure the smooth opening in September 2021 in Geneva. Their shop in Grens is a proof that this kind of place is appreciated by parents, that mothers need it, and that it offers products and services not easily accessible elsewhere.

For this purpose, there is a crowdunding campaign, with cool perks for you and your baby. Please,  check out the crowfunding website, and consider helping this wonderful project. We need this in Geneva badly!

Click here:

Mère et Terre

Spring is here, and as every year (well, second year in a row) places have reopened. There’s more to do outdoors, indoors, and some small festivals, events, and workshops are popping up. A May 2021 round up for families in Geneva is here!

You can always find more family-friendly events, workshops, guided tours, and parenting meet ups in Parentville’s events calendar – IT’S HERE and it is slowly filling up with fun stuff!

Before you jump up please remember that the virus is real and still here. Just because some things are allowed, it doesn’t mean we have to do them. Pick up your autotests from the pharmacy and use them before meeting with others. All that to say: stay  safe and enjoy life.

So, are there really things going on? Yes!

Ready? Here we go!

MOTHERS DAY
May 8&9

Some fun events organized for the occasion:

• treasure hunt & a creative workshop in Satigny: check here.
• a guided tour from l’Ile Rousseau to the Old Town following the traces of women important in Geneva’s history. More details here.
• Winegrower ride in a grape picker trailer, treasure hunt and wine tasting in Soral. You can find out all about it here.
• « The Mysterious City » treasure hunt in the Old Town of Geneva for families. Check it out here.

FETE DE LA DANSE
MAY 5-9
Geneva City and other municipalities

The Fête de la Danse was redesigned to meet the current safety measures. In 2021, the stages will be replaced by exhibitions in the public space, the lessons turn into a marathon and the festive moments are displayed in the form of a fresco made with your photos! Many fun events around the canton for big and small.

Detailed info here.

Global Happiness
From May 6 till October 17
Quartier Libre du SIG

The new Helvetas exhibition follows in the footsteps of happiness, here in Switzerland but also around the world. This exhibition explores an essential question: what makes us happy? Is happiness the same here as it is on the other side of the world? And what does “lasting happiness” look like? Is this happiness that contributes to personal, collective and global well-being and that does not harm the environment, others, or future generations? “GLOBAL HAPPINESS” questions our way of life and prompts us to think about what we really need to be happy.

The Helvetas traveling exhibition is to be discovered at the Espace Quartier Libre SIG in Geneva (Pont de la Machine) from May 6 to October 17, 2021 from 10:00 to 17:00. More info: bonheurglobal.ch

Marché de printemps
May 8
Vernier Village

Curious gardener? Passionate about the vegetable garden? At the spring market of the City of Vernier, you  will be able to find vegetable pieces of rare and endangered varieties. This annual meeting also offers a large assortment of seeds marketed under the ProSpecieRaraara label. To transport your seed pieces, remember to bring a suitable container: bag, cardboard tray, etc.

In addition to various craft stands and activities, sheep will be present to the delight of young and old. Finally, to quench your thirst and awaken your taste buds, plates with flavors of ProSpecieRara products will be prepared for your pleasure from 11:30 am.

Purchasing here is a good deed: a quarter of the sales will be donated to the ProSpecieRara foundation, while the charitable association Lumière pour Haïti will receive 50% of the sale of the geraniums.

More info here.

Ecoute voir
Museum of the History of Science
May 12 2021 – February 27 2022

A new exhibition at the Museum of the History of Science: « Listen to see ». From ear to sound, everything is a matter of waves. Sound is a wave that loves matter. You hear it through your ears but you can also sometimes see it. This physical phenomenon so common in our daily lives is however full of curiosities and mysteries. Come and discover them at the Museum of the History of Science!
Through fun interactive devices,  it offers the visitors to get to know sound better, to discover intriguing ancient scientific instruments and above all to have a good time playing with science.

More about it: here.

Créamobile
PLACE DE LA NAVIGATION, WEDNESDAYS (4-6 p.m.)

The mobile and free Créateliers workshop is back on the Place de la Navigation, every Wednesday until the October holidays! A great opportunity for children and adults to let their imaginations run wild and meet other residents of the neighborhood. No reservation is required.

THEATRE DES MARIONETTES
Ultra Saucisse
May 5-16

The theater show about bullying at schools. It is a story of Charlie, an 8-year-old chipolata, whose quiet and peaceful existence is turned upside down by an unfortunate incident during the school run, is revealed. From then on, Charlie becomes the sufferer – pain of his comrades, whose mockery and abuse are knives stuck in his heart. Nor his parents or his teachers notice his ordeal. Will Charlie manage to extricate herself from the cold room of isolation and humiliation?

On the website the show appears as complete (only 50 spectators are allowed to watch the show) but call them, because places free up every now and then. More info here.

Spectacle de magie
May 14&15
Lancy

« Geneva Magic Cabaret »: two evenings dedicated to magic with the presence of 5 magicians. Come and dream for an evening!
Tickets cost 20 CHF for adults and 10 CHF for children. You can book your place by following this link.

JOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE DES MUSÉES
MAY 16

Plenty of museums, libraries and other cultural institutions in Geneva will celebrate the International Day of the Museums on May 16 2021. It’s a great occasion to visit either favorite museums, or discover new places! Many activities for kids and families will be organized (but for now the link sends to a random page, so best is to check with each institutions). In many places bookings are required and other safety measures against the virus-we-will-not-name are in place.

For more info click here.

Fete du Jardin
Lancy
May 29

It takes place in the heart of Navazza-Oltramare Park, around the communal vegetable garden and under a large tent housing stands selling orderly, seeds and aromatic herbs, as well as fresh produce. Gardening enthusiasts will teach you tips and tricks for gardening on your balcony, window sill or in the ground through thematic workshops (registration required for workshops, places limited). Children will be able to get their hands on the earth or listen to tales around the garden … And for gourmets, food trucks will join in the fun!

All details are on this website.

OTHER EXHIBITIONS:

Espace des Inventions

A new children-friendly exhibition about earthquakes. As always in this museum, very interactive, hands-on, and educational. You can find out all about it here.

Berges de Vessy – Immersion

The Immersions exhibition offers an intimate dive into the amazing aquatic world. Focusing on it’s role, meaning, past and future. Some workshops for ages 6+ and 10+ are accompanying this exhibition. All about it here.

MAMCO – INVENTORY

A new exhibition based on the inventory (done during the lockdown closures). It’s very diverse, and can amuze kids or at least move their imagination. Don’t miss the maze in the wagon and the dark cave you can enter. Mamco also organizes workshops and guided tours for kids. Find out more about it here.

MAH – WALK ON THE WATER

What if  works of art and historical objects were placed in a surrounding that would give them ore context? Paintings with farm animals on wooden sheds, paintings with food in a restaurant-like setting, historical furniture displayed as in a furniture store, or sculptures taking showes? This is how MAH created this exhibition. Entry is free, no registration required. You can learn more about it here.

Congratulations on your baby! You have become a parent. Now what? I mean, the excitement will ease down, the hormones storm will end up but you’re still stuck with a baby and all you dream about is some adults conversation. But not any conversation right? During the first few months it’s normal to be willing to talk about baby’s development, sleepless nights, and hear how other parets handle this new situation. 

In this article Parentville has gathered some support groups. real-life meetups, and playgroups that has been designed specifically for fresh parents.

Ready? Here we go!

Ecole des Parents

It’s a wonderful association that organizes many things for parents and children. They offer many interesting workshops, support with many family-problems (from homework drama, throuugh parenting teenagers, to dealing with a divorce). They also organize cafés de parents (sadly, online during the pandemic). Many of their activities are designed for young parents. Many are also free, like the playtime in Charmille for kids aged 0-4. It’s a great place to meet other parents, talk to early-childhood specialists that are always present on the site. 

More info: ecoledesparents.ch

Moman d’Amour

It is a heartwarming place in Chêne-Bourg, founded and run by a mom passionate about supporting parents on their journey. Moman d’Amour organizes many types of workshops, baby-massage, support, and meetups in a form of walks in nature. Gaëlle will be more than happy to answer all sorts of questions youm ay have.

Activities are in French. You can find out more about the whole program of activities here: momandamour.com

Doulaccueil

Au Fil des Sens

To best meet the needs of families and the development of children and parents, l’arcade Au Fil des Sens has been designed as an open space offering three main services: workshops, trainings, and meetings. They organize many wokshops and classes that may interest parents of young babies (and older children too). They also organize coffee-meetups for parents, each time around a different subjcet. This is also where the Doulaccueil takes place (paragraph above).

The activities are mostly held in French. Discover their whole offer: fil-des-sens.com

Balades avec Bebe

A group organized by Catherine Watt that meets around once a month for a walk with prams/carriers somewhere in Geneva. Catherine is one of the best people to talk to about everything pregancy and baby-related. She has helped many parents on their parenting journeys and organizes many other meetings too (eg breastfeeding support group via La Leche League). 

More info: Balades avec bebe.

La Leche League

The breastfeeding specialists are here to help you out, and no, they will never pressure you to breastfeed. They organize meetings of support groups in various languages, including English, Spanish, and French.

More info: LLL Suisse Romande

Gymboree Grand-Saconnex

Gymboree is a legendary place. It is where kids have fun, get tired to later sleep well. It is also where parents can meet in a very friendly atmosphere. You can read more about it on Parentville here. They have a big soft playroom, a smiley clown, and cheerful songs. There are many activities for older children, but for the little ones and their parents the best are the times in the playroom with other parents. 

More about it at gymboreeclasses-dach.com.

Gym Poussette

How about some pram sports with other fellow mamas? Adapted to all levels, and to postpartum bodies trying to recover from the 9 month workout of a different kind. A great occasion to meet with other moms, to make friends, to spend time outdoors, and get back in shape. 

More info: gympoussettes.ch

MAZE CAFE

A Cafe in Geneva centre where adults can eat drink, where older kids can go crazy in the indoorsnplayground, and where even babies have a space to enjoy.

More info: mazecafes.com

Elisa Gassert’s play area

This wonderful play area, straight from a fairy tale is a perfect place to meet other moms. There is a soft space where babies can bubble and enjoy wooden toys. It’s also nice for older kids (let;s say up to age 8), so you can take siblings as well. 

More info: elisa-gassert.ch

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Here we are again: Easter many of us will, yet one more time, spend far away from families. It’s been a hard, stressful year. But let’s not forgotten about positive things that happened along, eg. the contactless payment limit went up from 30 CHF to 80 CHF ).

I could now go for 10 pages about comparing last Easter to Easter 2021 in Geneva, but why waste time. Carpe Diem! It is what it is, let’s roll with it, and enjoy the holidays.

Below you’ll find the propositions for a fun Easter holiday in Geneva. Some options are easter-related, some are simply holiday-related. 

Ready? Let’s do it!

CHOcolate treasure hunt in the Old Town

For an unusual Easter celebration, discover the Old Town craftsmen and their chocolate creations, thanks to this very gourmet treasure hunt!

Each step of the game will take you to one of the incredible artisans of the Old Town. At each artisan, you’ll collect delicious Easter chocolates: pralines, ganaches, chocolate bars…

SURPRISE – you may also win the magnificent chocolate egg specially put into play for the treasure hunt participants? Maitre chocolatier Philippe Pascoët and Genève pas cher have teamed up to offer you a design egg weighing 500 gr. worth 70 CHF!

Practical info:

Paid participation
Obligatory reservation: here.
Not pram/wheelchair friendly.

PâKOMUZé

It’s not in Geneva but close enough! PâKOMUZé is a yearly event in the museums of  Canton Vaud during Easter school-holildays. Members of the PâKOMUZé association works hard whole year to make this happen and the museums and cultural institutions provide wonderful activities for children and their families. Many of these workshop take place in Lausanne and farther, but you’ll also find plenty in parts of Vaud close to Geneva. Everybody will find a workshop their child will like – there are plenty for all tastes and interests!

Wouldn’t it be great to have this in Geneva, too?

Practical info:

Some activities are free, some paid.
Some activities require reservations, some don’t.
More info at: pakomuze.ch.

EGG HUNT IN THE CASTLE

Chateu de Grandson (Vaud), the second biggest castle in Switzerland, invites all children aged 5-10 for an Easter Egg Hunt. This amazing castle, has many playful activities all year round, to make the visit more joyful. For Easter, children can see the castle while collecting eggs! It will take place from April 3rd till April 5th. Reservations are obligatory: here.

Wine and easter eggs by TukTuk

For the Easter weekend, 2-5 of April, TaxiBike is organising a ride in Geneva vineyards accompanied by egghunt for kids, and wine tasting for adults!

It’s a fun and unique activity that offers some extravaganza we all need after a year of You-Know-What. All family members will have fun while tasting delicious local products from different wineries and artisan chocolate partners. This visit is also a great opportunity to learn more about Geneva’s countryside and oenology.

Practical info:

Paid activity.
Reservation: taxibike.ch.

LUDOTHEQUE DE LA SERVETTE

Cinema, bricolage and egg hunt  – this is the plan of this fun ludotheque for Easter 2021. Not many details are available online, so it’s best to check with this ludo directly. You can find more info here.

SPRING WITH SEMPE

Around fifty drawings by Jean-Jacques Sempé are shown in the early evening until 11 p.m. on the facades of five emblematic places in the heart of Geneva. This outdoor exhibition has been organized by the Societe de Lecture de Genève. You have till April 7th to enjoy it.

Practical info:

Free.
Masks, distance and all Covid-19 measures apply.
More info here.

DAY TRIPS

How about a day trip to somewhere nice?

Spring is the great time to enjoy:

• the Labyrinthe Aventure,
• Swiss Vapeur Parc,
• Signal de Bougy,
• Juraparc,
• Archeolab,
• Games Exhibition at Chateau Pringins.
• Animals in various places!

HIKES

The weather is going to be nice, so don;t forget to enjoy the beautiful swiss outdoors! There are plenty beautiful places in Geneva and around. You can find some ideas in Parentville’s Instagram guide: check it out here.

EASTER FUN AT HOME

As every now and then some of you may have to quarantine or isolate, and others simply like some at-home fun, Parentville will post some crafts and experiments on Instagram – mostly about eggs (it’s crazy how many things one can do with them!). Don’t miss it and start following Parentville on Instagram now.

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Climbing is a fascinating activity that many kids naturally engage in at home. Why not let them explore this passion in a safe, specially designed environment? Welcome to Planet Climbing, with two state-of-the-art facilities in Geneva: one in Lancy and our new space for one year now in Plan-les-Ouates (PLO).

WHY CLIMBING?

Climbing captivates because it’s an inclusive sport—everyone can participate regardless of physical strength. It’s about personal challenge rather than competition, fostering a unique blend of concentration, planning, and physical exercise. Think of it as solving a puzzle with your body, where flexibility and muscle strength improve over time. Climbing is also social; climbers share strategies, support each other, and form a tight-knit community. For kids, it’s like combining logic, sports, and social training into one exhilarating activity.

PLANET CLIMBING

Our modern, clean spaces cater to climbers of all levels. The heart of our facility is the climbing area, featuring separate zones for children with holds tailored to small hands and colorful trails for every skill level. Adults and more advanced climbers will find challenging routes in the main climbing space.

Some additional spaces are present exclusively in Plan-les-Ouates such as:

• Kilter Board: A versatile training tool for climbers to practice and improve their skills.
• Mini Kids Room: A dedicated space for young climbers to explore and enjoy in a safe, colorful environment.
• Sauna: A perfect place to relax and recover after a climbing session.
• Planet Kitchen: Our on-site restaurant serves delicious, innovative, homemade dishes for everyone!

Planet Climbing ensures that both children and adults can find suitable climbing challenges. The kiddy zone is equipped with holds adapted for small hands and trails for every skill level. The main climbing space offers routes that cater to all abilities, ensuring a comprehensive climbing experience for everyone.

BEYOND CLIMBING

Planet Climbing offers more than just climbing walls:

• Gym Zone:Build the strength needed for climbing.
• Yoga Room: Improve flexibility and body awareness.
• Lounge and Bar: Relax and hydrate after a session.

DEDICATED TO KIDS

Our mission is to inspire a love for climbing in children. We offer group and private courses led by passionate instructors who are experts at encouraging kids to overcome fears and push their limits. Group classes start as young as 2.5 years old, focusing on mobility, with real climbing fun beginning at age from 4 to 16. We also offer parent-child sessions and tailor private classes to meet specific needs.

Every class begins with a warm-up, followed by games and exercises on the wall.  Kids learn clever techniques to make climbing easier and more enjoyable. They play wall games, try yoga tricks, and leave with boosted confidence, realizing how high they can climb.

HOLIDAY CAMPS

Our holiday camps are perfect for immersing children in vertical fun. These camps are not just about climbing; they include outdoor adventures, parkour, yoga, and creative play. Partnering with kids-fun experts, we offer a well-rounded experience. Our camps fill up quickly, so early booking is recommended.

PRACTICAL INFO

Planet Climbing Lancy
Avenue des Morgines 10
1213 Petit Lancy

Planet Climbing Plan-les-Ouates
Rte de la Galaise 13B,
1228 Plan-les-Ouates

Call them: +41 78 201 21 48
Email them: [email protected]

Website: planetclimbing.ch
Instagram: @planetclimbing_gva
Facebook: @planetclimbing.gva

ACCESSIBILITY

Planet Climbing is wheelchair accessible, with adapted facilities to ensure everyone can enjoy the climbing experience.

Passerelle de Chevre

Passerelle du Lignon

Ferme du Lignon & the Jardin Robinson

Au Moulin – zone des loisirs

The last part

Click on the map to open the detailed view of the route within Google Maps:

INTERACTIVE

mesoscaphe AKA SUBMARINE

Let’s talk about it for a bit. Long story short, Auguste Piccard had the idea to put “a mesoscaphe” (a fancy name for the submarine that does not go super deep) on the lake. His son, Jacques Piccard, built it for the 1964 national expo in Lausanne. Due to some complications, the submarine (well, a “mesoscaphe”) started operating 2 months after the expo. It dived over 1000 times and carried over 33000 people to the bottom of the lake. The renovated original is currently in the fabulous Transport Museum in Luzern (it’s the best place ever!), but Musee du Leman has a whole section on it too.

AND MORE!

ARRIVE IN STYLE

To make it more fun you can get there by taking one of the ships going from Geneva to Nyon! Or combine it with an exploration of Nyon and a picnic.

PRACTICAL INFO

Accessibility

The weather is beautiful, and the Federal Council allowed museums to reopen on March 1st. In the whole country. Let’s celebrate by looking into what is actually going on in the museums – in Geneva. I’ll soon prepare the same recap for all museums between Geneva and Lausanne. The French museums are still closed for now – keeping fingers crossed as we massively miss Maison du Saleve, Parc des Epouvantailles and many more!

Before we start, let me lay down some practical info:

• Most museums are closed on Mondays. Each time a museum is open on Monday, I mentioned it in the text.
• Not all museums will open on March 1st (Monday) or even on March 2nd. Some of them need more time to prepare or have planned their new exhibitions for a bit later. Always consult their website when planning a visit.
• I couldn’t find info on Exploracentre and Cern -I’ll add them as soon as I know anything.
• It was not possible for me to write about all of the museums. Here are the ones I did not include below:  Musee de Carouge, Musee Barbier-Mueller, Museum of the Martin Bodmer Foundation, Red Cross Museum.

Ready? Let’s do it!

Vivarium

Also check: Musee de Carouge, Musee Barbier-Mueller, Museum of the Martin Bodmer Foundation (all about theatre).

MAMCO

The Modern and Contemporary Art Museum in Geneva is always a great place to visit with kids of all ages. Their permanent exhibition is fuel for imagination and conversations. When you’re there, don’t forget to enter the cave – a piece of Sylvie Fleury entitles « Be Good, Be Bad, Just Be! ».

Museum’s reopening is a great opportunity to check out the new temporary exhibition: « Inventaire » (eng. « Inventory »). It’s a result of a full inventory the museum underwent in 2019. This exhibition is a physical representation of the hard work the staff performed.

MUSEE D’HISTOIRE DES SCIENCES

This museum is a treat! It’s located in the gorgeous parc Perle du Lac and it is open on Mondays! The permanent exhibition is fascinating for science and history passionates and the temporary exhibition is a full-on, hands-on experience! I wrote about it back in the days when nobody expected museums to be closed for so long – you can read it here.

MEG

In the Museum of Ethnography, children love to observe the waves and listen to music on headphones. They are mesmerized by masks and other objects from far away places. The permanent collection is fascinating, even more, when viewed during a guided tour. But! The temporary exhibition « Jean Dubuffet, a barbarian in Europe » was planned to only last till the end of February 2021. I keep my fingers crossed they will prolong it for at least one month. The exhibition is accompanied by a program for children (6+) via the “Dubuffet’s little factory”. Check their website for info.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

For Geneva families, one museum ranks no 1 each time I ask around – the Natural History Museum. Their permanent exhibition always brings smiles to children’s faces, always makes them ask questions, widen their interest. The temporary exhibitions, 3 of them to be precise, are fabulous! They are all there to celebrate the museum’s 200th anniversary. I wrote a whole article about it last year, you can read it here.

MAH

Musee d’Art et d’Histoire de Geneve is always #parentvillerecomended. Walking the corridors and rooms with paintings is like being in a picture book and if your kids went to the guided tours for the little ones, you’ll know how to turn a visit into an adventure. The new temporary exhibition « Walk on the Water » is a new level of awesomeness. The title is a mix of Deep Purple’s « Smoke on the water » (written in and about Montreux) and the painting “Miraculous Draught of Fishes” by  Konrad Witz, which depicts Christ walking on Lake Geneva. It’s a whole new scenography and an invitation to the public to imagine themselves walking on the water. More information on MAH’s website.

ARIANA

Musee Ariana is another place families quickly come to love. It’s incredible how this talented stuff turned a ceramics museum into an enjoyable place for children. I mean, stereotypically small children should not be allowed near ceramic and glass, right? Well, not in Ariana. There are many treasure hunts they can enjoy (different games for different age groups) and a small yet great play area on the ground floor. Go to Ariana’s website for more details and info about temporary exhibitions.

CENTRE D’ART CONTEMPORAIN

Contemporary Art Center will open on March 23rd with an exhibition that looks incredible. It’s called « Lemaniana » and will present « the diversity of the contemporary artistic production in the Léman region ». Until then you can visit the museum via online tours. More info here.

Immersions – Une exposition sur l’eau, Berges de Vessy

The description of this exhibition makes me really want to visit it! There is not much info yet, but it will not open till March 19th, so let’s wait a little bit. The website clearly states that a rich program for different kinds of public will accompany the exhibition, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will have something fun for the kids! In the past, their exhibitions were always great and always had something for children. The location allows combining the museum visit with an adventurous walk by the river and around the Vessy dam. More info here.

STREET ART AT QUARTIER LIBRE

If you haven’t got a chance before the semi-lockdown happened (again) to visit this exhibition in the centre of Geneva, then I have good news for you! The Street Art is on till March 14th. Grab your kids for a walk by the lake, some good ice creams and walk into the Quartier Libre for some graffiti fun. It’s open all week long (yes! Even on Mondays), and the entry is free. Read more about it here.

SAINT PIERRE CATHEDRAL

Geneva’s old town may not be massive, but you cannot be bored once there. Many museums (Musee de la Reformee, Maison Tavel, Musee Barbier-Mueller, and the Cathedral’s archaeological site), picturesque narrow streets, great cafes (take out only for now), and spectacular views. Let’s go back to the Cathedral now. You can visit it inside (obviously). You can climb up to the top of one of the towers (really worth it!), and visit the Cathedral beneath – the archaeological site is fascinating, intriguing, and cannot be missed!  You can find out all about it here.

VIVARIUM

Not really a museum, it’s more of a zoo, but I have missed it so much I had to include it in this article! It’s a place with reptiles, lizards, turtles, spiders, and fish. It’s very well located in Meyrin, close to bus and tram stops, there is parking and the visit will not disappoint the kids! It’s also a good place for birthday parties (especially if your child would like to cuddle with Iguana). I wrote about Vivarium in this article on Parentville about animals in Geneva.

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TWO SIDES

THE SOLUTION AT IIL

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Curious about the International Institut de Lancy? They’re about to have their virtual tours (instead of a traditional open day – you know why). You can find out all about it here:

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