International Museum of the Reformation

The International Museum of the Reformation in Geneva occupies the Maison Mallet on Cour Saint-Pierre, next to St. Peter’s Cathedral. It presents a secular history of the Reformation and Protestantism from the 16th century to today.

• Housed in the 18th-century Maison Mallet on the former cathedral cloister – the site where Geneva adopted the Reformation on 21 May 1536, anchoring the museum in place-history.
• Opened on 15 April 2005 and, after 21 months of renovation, reopened on 27 April 2023 – with a renewed permanent display and storyline.
• The only secular museum dedicated to the Reformation and Protestantism – an international perspective on religious and cultural impact.
• Highlights include two portraits of Luther by Lucas Cranach, a letter by John Calvin and one by Dietrich Bonhoeffer – anchor pieces of the collection.
• Winner of the 2007 Council of Europe Museum Prize – recognition for interpretation and contributions to understanding European heritage.

• The permanent show “A History of the Reformation” – objects, books, prints and multimedia.
• Rooms on Geneva and Calvin, displays with Cranach’s portraits of Luther and letters by Calvin and Bonhoeffer.
• The Maison Mallet courtyard and the surrounding Espace Saint-Pierre ensemble with the cathedral and its archaeological site.

The Maison Mallet was built in the 18th century on the site of the medieval St. Peter’s cloister – where citizens adopted the Reformation in 1536. The house is tied to Huguenot refugee families and the city’s early-modern elite.

The museum opened in 2005 as a secular institution on the Reformation and Protestantism and received the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 2007. From August 2021 to April 2023 it underwent major renovation and reopened on 27 April 2023 with an updated, digitally enhanced display.

Location: Cour Saint-Pierre 10, 1204 Geneva – Maison Mallet by St. Peter’s Cathedral.

Getting there: trams 12, 18 to Molard/Rive – then 8–10 minutes uphill; bus 8 to Rive, 10 to Molard; bus 92 stops at the cathedral.

Access: Ramp entrance from Rue de l’Évêché – follow signage and contact reception if needed. Surroundings are cobbled with slopes.

Visiting hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00; Mon closed.

Visit duration: 60–90 minutes.

Best time: Weekday mornings or rainy days for a quieter visit.

Notes: Tickets: adults CHF 13, seniors CHF 8, children CHF 6; free with Geneva City Pass. Labels and audio guide in FR/EN/DE.