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Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts

The Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts (MCBA) in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the cantonal fine arts museum, housing a collection of over 11,000 works from the Renaissance to the present day. Located at Place de la Gare 16, near the Lausanne train station, the museum focuses on Vaudois artists and Swiss Romande creation, with strengths in neoclassicism, realism, symbolism, post-impressionism, abstract painting, and video art. The permanent collection is displayed across 1,500 m² of exhibition space and is free to access, while the museum also hosts changing temporary exhibitions.

Families and Kids

The MCBA welcomes children with activity booklets (from age 7), creative workshops, and sensory discovery tours for toddlers aged 3-5. Free intergenerational '0-100 years' workshops are also offered regularly.

Information

  • Visit duration: 120min
  • Barrier free: Yes
  • For rainy days: Yes
  • Free entrance: No
  • Pushchair accessible: True
  • Price range: $$
  • Topic: Art
    • Guided tours: Yes
    • Workshops: Yes
    • Children experience: Child friendly
    • Children age group: 0-3, 3-6, 6-12, 12-18
    • Children activities: Interactive exhibits, Workshops, Tours and demonstrations, Play area

Opening hours

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, with late opening on Thursday until 20:00. Closed on Mondays.
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00-18:00
Wednesday
10:00-18:00
Thursday
10:00-20:00
Friday
10:00-18:00
Saturday
10:00-18:00
Sunday
10:00-18:00

Admission fees

15 CHF
Adult admission
12 CHF
Senior admission
12 CHF
Student admission
0 CHF
Free for visitors under 26 years old
0 CHF
Free on the first Saturday of the month
38 CHF
Duo ticket for two adults (visiting together)
25 CHF
Plateforme 10 ticket for 3 museums (MCBA, mudac, Photo Elysée)

Contact

Webpage
mcba.ch
Email
mcba@plateforme10.ch
Address
Place de la Gare 16, 1003 Lausanne

Access

Nearby stops

  • Lausanne, Villard750 meters walking distance
  • Lausanne950 meters walking distance
  • Lausanne, gare950 meters walking distance
  • Lausanne-Flon1200 meters walking distance

Travel duration

From
Travel time
Lausanne
0m
Genève
46m
Martigny
52m
Sion
1h 7m
Neuchâtel
1h 9m

FAQ

  • Is the permanent collection free to visit?
    Yes, the permanent collection (La collection), the Espace Focus, and the Espace Projet are free of charge. You must check in at the reception desk.
  • Are guided tours available at the museum?
    Yes, the MCBA offers guided tours for individuals and groups, including thematic visits, creative workshops, and architectural tours. A magnetic loop system is available for visitors with hearing impairments.
  • Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
    Yes, the building is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Two wheelchairs are available at the reception. An elevator provides access to the esplanade of Plateforme 10.
  • Is there a café or restaurant at the museum?
    Yes, the MCBA has the Café-Restaurant Le Nabi, open Tuesday to Sunday, and the Café Lumen, open daily except Tuesday.
  • Can I visit the museum with a stroller or pushchair?
    Yes, you can visit with a pushchair. A folding stroller (poussette canne) is available at the reception.

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