The Tavel House

The Maison Tavel

The Geneva audio-guided tour presents you with the Maison Tavel, the oldest private dwelling of the city and a remarkable example of medieval civil architecture.

The oldest private dwelling of Geneva

A few metres from the Old Arsenal and the Town Hall, the Maison Tavel is distinguished by its so particular style, typical of medieval civil architecture of Switzerland. From the twelfth century, a house stood at this location, property of the Tavel family, which gave it its name. Destroyed by a fire in 1334, it was rebuilt in the form of a fortified house with two turrets, becoming one of the most beautiful dwellings of Geneva. Listed as a historic monument from 1923, it today houses the Museum of Urban History and Daily Life, whose collections reveal and perpetuate the traditions of the city. The visit immerses the walker in the Geneva of the past, through everyday objects, models and period settings.

What there is to see

The Maison Tavel charms with its silhouette of a medieval fortified house, its turrets and its centuries-old history. Become a museum, it reveals the Geneva daily life of the past through objects, models and settings. It is an essential stage for those interested in the history of the city.

Practical information

The Maison Tavel is on Rue du Puits-Saint-Pierre, in the heart of the old town of Geneva. The museum can be visited according to hours to be checked on site; access to the permanent collections is generally free.

Why is the Maison Tavel remarkable?

It is the oldest private dwelling of Geneva, a rare example of medieval civil architecture, listed as a historic monument.

What can one discover there today?

The Museum of Urban History and Daily Life, which retraces the traditions and the past of Geneva.