The H.R. Giger Museum houses the largest collection of works by Swiss artist Hans Ruedi Giger, creator of the Alien creature. Set in the Château St-Germain in the medieval town of Gruyères, it brings together paintings, sculptures, furniture and film designs.
Fine and applied arts museums
Main highlights
- Largest collection of Giger’s works, from the 1960s to the end of his life, Oscar for Alien
- Original film designs for Alien, Alien 3, Dune, Species and Poltergeist 2
- Giger Bar opposite the museum, with a biomechanical interior entirely shaped by the artist
Overview
In 1990, Hans Ruedi Giger exhibited at the Château de Gruyères and grew attached to the medieval town. He learned that the Château St-Germain was for sale and bought it in 1997 to house his own museum and centre for fantastic art. The museum opened on 21 June 1998.
Giger rose to worldwide fame in 1980 when he won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects for his work on Ridley Scott’s Alien. He died in 2014, having influenced film, music and video games. The museum covers his various creative periods, from the early 1960s to the end of his life.
"*" indicates required fields
What to see and do
The exhibition features around 500 pieces spread across the castle’s rooms. You’ll see the Spell and Passages series, as well as the N.Y. City cycle, shaped by urban influences. The paintings and sculptures reveal a dreamlike, erotic and sometimes disturbing world where the organic merges with the mechanical.
A large section is devoted to film designs : creations for Alien and Alien 3, concepts for David Lynch’s Dune, Species, Poltergeist 2 and The Mystery of San Gottardo, with preparatory drawings, models and sculptures. The biomechanical furniture, including chairs and installations, extends this aesthetic into design.
The top floor houses Giger’s private art collection. A gallery hosts temporary exhibitions by artists close to his world. Opposite the museum, the Giger Bar, completed in 2003, was entirely shaped by the artist, from the ceiling to the chairs, with numerous bone-like elements.
Practical information
Getting there : from Gruyères station, allow 10 minutes on foot walking up to the village. By car, there is a paid car park at the entrance to the town, which is pedestrianised.
Visit duration : around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Suitable for : teenagers and adults; not recommended for young children.
On site : photography is not allowed inside the museum. The Giger Bar is just opposite.
Visitor tips
Some works feature erotic or violent content : avoid visiting with young children. Science fiction and fantastic art fans will find the original designs of the Alien creature here.
After the museum, take a break at the Giger Bar, then explore the medieval village, whose architecture contrasts with the artist’s world.
Nearby attractions
- The Château de Gruyères has overlooked the town since the 13th century with its towers and historic halls.
- La Maison du Gruyère lets you watch cheese being made live in a show dairy and museum.
- The Tibet Museum Fondation Alain Bordier displays a large collection of Buddhist sacred art.
Report an error or complete the informations
Reviews about this place