Musée Ariana

Museum Geneva museum specializing in ceramics and glass

Musée Ariana in Geneva specializes in ceramics and glass and houses decorative-arts collections in a late-19th-century building; researchers and collectors examine international applied-arts holdings.

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Musée Ariana is Geneva’s museum of ceramics and glass, housing a large collection that spans several centuries and geographic regions. The museum’s founding collection was assembled by Gustave Revilliod in the 19th century.

Galleries display decorative and utilitarian ceramics and glasswork from Europe, Asia and the Islamic world, with examples illustrating techniques such as glazing, glassblowing and enamel work. Exhibitions combine historical displays and temporary thematic shows.

The museum was established from the private collection and bequest of Gustave Revilliod and opened in the late 19th century to house his holdings of ceramics and glass. Since then it has expanded through acquisitions and loans and serves as Switzerland’s principal museum dedicated to these crafts.

Located in Geneva in the Canton of Geneva, the museum sits close to the city’s major art institutions and is accessible from central Geneva by public transport.

  • Founding collection: Founded on the collection and endowment of Gustave Revilliod, the museum's holdings include several thousand ceramic and glass objects.
  • Location advantage: Located near Geneva's Museum of Art and History, making it convenient to visit as part of a multi-museum route through the city.

What to See #

  • Permanent galleries: Permanent galleries presenting ceramics and glass from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, spanning several centuries and various manufacturing techniques.
  • Temporary exhibitions and displays: Rotating temporary exhibition halls used for thematic shows and contemporary projects related to glass and ceramics.
Musée Ariana
Avenue de la Paix 10, 1202 Genève, Switzerland (Musée Ariana location)
46.2254, 6.1388
Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm, closed Mondays
CHF 8-12 adults (approx.); discounts for students/seniors

How to Get to Musée Ariana #

A 10-15 minute walk from Geneva’s Cornavin train station; tram lines 15 and buses serve stops near Avenue de la Paix. The museum is close to the Palais des Nations (UN) area.

Tips for Visiting Musée Ariana #

  • Focus on the ceramics and glass galleries-fine European porcelain is presented with thoughtful lighting.
  • Check temporary exhibitions; the museum often hosts thematic displays on design and decorative arts.
  • Combine with a walk along Geneva's lakeside; the Ariana sits close to the UN quarter and small parks.

Best Time to Visit Musée Ariana #

Year-round access; weekdays and shoulder seasons are quieter.

Spring
Mar-May · 5-18°C
Comfortable for combining museum visits with lakeside walks; fewer tourists than summer.
Summer
Jun-Aug · 18-28°C
Peak season for Geneva; museums busier but still manageable on weekdays.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 8-18°C
Golden light over the lake complements the museum's ceramics galleries.

Weather & Climate near Musée Ariana #

Climate

Musée Ariana's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (990 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 39 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
-22°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
19°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
11° 22°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 26°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

74 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 25°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

71 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 99 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 21°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
15°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

90 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

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