Old Arsenal of Geneva

An Open-Air History Stop in the Heart of the Old Town

The Old Arsenal is a covered passage open to the street, just steps away from the City Hall of Geneva. No ticket, no gate, no schedule to follow: you can stop there for as long as you want, on your way for a stroll through the old alleys. It's the perfect opportunity to catch a piece of history with the kids, whether in a few minutes or at a leisurely pace.

What Your Children Will Discover

Under the arcades, five period cannons are placed directly on the cobblestones. These are pieces similar to those that defended the walls of Geneva, from the 18th century until the Napoleonic era. This is sure to immediately capture the attention of the little ones, who love to walk around them.

On the wall, three large mosaics by the artist Alexandre Cingria depict key moments in Geneva's history: the arrival of Julius Caesar in 58 B.C., the fairs of the Middle Ages, and the welcome of Huguenot refugees. A beautiful medium to tell a living story to the children, image by image.

What You Can Do There and the Atmosphere on Site

The place is calm, away from traffic, sheltered under the arcades. People come mainly to look, observe the details of the cannons, spot the scenes in the mosaics, and invent their own stories. It's a short and free visit, ideal to fit into a walk through the Old Town: the City Hall, St. Peter's Cathedral, and the Place du Bourg-de-Four are very close by.

Before You Go

• Recommended Age: from 6 years old to enjoy the stories told by the mosaics; younger ones already love to walk around the cannons.
• Duration: 10 to 20 minutes on site, to be combined with a stroll through the Old Town.
• Reservation: none, access is free and open.
• Stroller: the passage is level under the arcades, accessible by stroller as well as by wheelchair.
• Transport: bus 36 (stop City Hall), or trams 12, 14, 18 and bus 36 to Bel-Air then a few minutes on foot. Parking is difficult in the Old Town: prefer public transport.
• What to Bring: nothing special; good shoes for the cobblestones of the Old Town.
• Ideal Season: all year round, the site is covered. Daylight better highlights the mosaics.

Parent Tips

• Come during the day: the mosaics reveal themselves much better in natural light.
• Turn the visit into a game: ask the children to find the three scenes in the mosaics or to count the cannons.
• Follow up with an ice cream or a snack at the nearby Bourg-de-Four to extend the outing.
• Avoid driving: the Old Town is best enjoyed on foot, and parking is complicated.

Useful Information

• Address: Rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville 1, 1204 Geneva
• Official Website: https://www.geneve.ch/ancien-arsenal
• Hours: open-air site, freely accessible at any time (see the official website for possible events)
• Access: bus 36 (stop City Hall); trams 12, 14, 18 and bus 36 to Bel-Air then about 10 minutes on foot through the Old Town

Why We Recommend It

It's a free, short, and easy outing, perfect for giving children a taste of history without the heaviness of a traditional museum. Sheltered under the arcades, it works in all weather and fits naturally into a walk through the most beautiful part of Geneva.

In Two Words

Five cannons, three mosaics, and centuries of Geneva's history, freely accessible under the arcades of the Old Town. A lovely cultural pause, free and accessible at any time.