Travel to Switzerland

Forum de l'Hôtel de Ville

The Town Hall, which sits imposingly on the Place de Palud is the headquarters of the Commune's government. It houses two exhibit spaces. One of them, the town hall forum, is placed on the ground floor in what was during medieval times a place for fairs and street markets. This days, local associations are on top of the list, organising extremely varied exhibitions: stamp collections, paintings, postcards, women engineers, to name but a few.

Musee romain de Lausanne-Vidy

The Roman museum, on the site of the former Roman town of Lousonna, is the ideal place to see after visiting the neighbouring Roman ruins. At both places, you can learn a lot about how Lausanne was all the way back in 100 BC. A small-scale model gives a good idea of the area that was occupied. Many objects excavated throughout the 20th century are on display here: games, jugs, coins, tools. You can also see temporary exhibitions, all linked to Roman times.

Collection de l'Art Brut

The concept of Art Brut was introduced in 1945 by the painter Jean Dubuffet. The term applies to pieces created by those who have not been influenced by other artists, people who have an unique vision of what art means. The painters and sculptors whose work is exhibited in this museum are therefore outcasts (prisoners, psychiatric patients, etc.). The exhibition on offer is complemented by temporary ones, each more original, surprising, even more overwhelming than the next.

Herbstmesse

Since 1471, this, the largest annual market in Switzerland, has been held in Basel commencing the last Saturday of October following the St. Martin's church bells. The fairytale lasts for two weeks throughout the city. Rides are set up just outside Basel at the Barf latz and the barrack grounds.

Rheinbrücke

The Rheinbrücke, AKA the Mittlere Brücke, has been there since 1903-1905. Apart from the small chapel in the middle of the bridge, there is now very little left to suggest its rich history. It use to be the only bridge over the Rhine for miles around, which brought great wealth and importance to the city. The Käppelijoch chapel was built in 1356. Next to it was a place of execution.

Architekturmuseum

It was established in 1984, is small, but very influential. The privately run museum has 400 square metres of exhibition space on four floors. The building itself is one of the few examples of modern 1950's architecture in Basel. Divided in three exhibition areas: Swiss Modern Architecture Contemporary International Architecture and international shows. The DomusHaus bookshop in the ground floor has a wide range of design and architecture books for you to take  home as a souvenir of this impressive museum. Not that cheap though but it's worth it!

Matthäuskirche

Kleinbasel got a new Protestant church at the end of the 19th Century. Felix Henry from Breslau won the competition, which had entries from all over the world. The area around the church is breathtaking, very peaceful and sorrounded by trees, which gives the building space and weight. The body of the church is small, the transept rather broad and the tower is therefore remarkable tall. The architecture is early Gothic in style. The side entrances, which allowed the congregation to enter from all sides of the church, are worth looking at.

Pharmazie-Historisches Museum

If you want to find out what has been used for medicinal purposes in the past. Amazing real life characters such as Erasmus von Rotterdam and Paracelus have worked in 'Zum Vorderen Sessel', the house in which the Swiss Apothecary Museum is today accommodated. Apothecaries, historic medicines, microscopes, laboratory equipment and a range of utensils displayed in display cases and glass-fronted cabinets bring the past to life as visitors make their way around the museum's nooks and crannies. Great experience for doctors, amazing visit for everybody!

Münster

Two slim towers are the beauty mark of this red sandstone church. Climb at least one to enjoy the panoramic view. Although Münster Hill was already inhabited by the time of the Celts, the present late-Roman/early-Gothic building was mostly constructed in the latter part of the 12th century. In 1356, five towers were destroyed in an earthquake. The Roman gate is remarkable for its many ancient stone figures.

Musee d'Art Moderne et Contemporain

The newly born Genevan museum (opened in 1994) is housed in a most unusual setting - an old factory. The museum covers about 4000sq. metres divided into 70 different areas and exhibits artwork originating from both private and public collections. Work from established and rising artists is presented. In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the museum holds a number of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, and they are all worhty of your time.