Morges Castle is a 13th-century fortress built on the shores of Lake Geneva following the “Savoyard square” design. Today it houses four museums devoted to Swiss military history, as well as a museum dedicated to the pianist Ignacy Paderewski.
Castles & forts
Main highlights
- Four military museums under one roof, from arms and armour to artillery
- Around 40,000 historical figurines displayed in dioramas of major conflicts
- Savoyard square castle built between 1286 and 1296 facing Lake Geneva, with views from the ramparts
Overview
The fortress was built between 1286 and 1296 to protect the new town founded by Louis of Savoy at the mouth of the Morges river. Designed on the Savoyard square model, it controlled the lake, the harbour and the road between Lausanne and Geneva. It also served as a residence for the counts and dukes of Savoy : Emperor Sigismund stayed here in 1416.
After the Bernese conquest of 1536, it became the seat of the bailiwick until 1798 and was adapted for artillery, with rounded parapets on the towers and a raised courtyard. A listed historic monument, it is registered together with its collections as a Swiss cultural property of national significance.
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What to see and do
The castle brings together the Vaud Military Museum, the Swiss Museum of Historical Figurines, the Artillery Museum and the Gendarmerie Museum. The Vaud Military Museum displays bladed weapons, firearms and armour. Its armoury hall covers 350 years of Vaud military history, from Major Davel to General Guisan.
The Museum of Historical Figurines holds around 40,000 pieces. Its dioramas recreate in miniature the wars and key moments of world military history.
Within the castle walls, the Paderewski Museum pays tribute to the pianist, composer and statesman who lived in Morges for nearly fifty years. Its collection brings together objects and documents, most of them originals, gathered since 1977.
Practical information
Getting there : the castle is in Morges, on the shores of Lake Geneva, close to the harbour and the town centre.
Visit duration : around two hours for the four museums and the Paderewski Museum, or half a day for military history enthusiasts.
Ideal for : history lovers, families with children who enjoy dioramas, and groups.
Visitor tips
Climb the castle towers and walk the ramparts : the view stretches across Lake Geneva to the Alps. With children, start with the figurine collection, whose dioramas tell history in a fun way.
This place is part of the selection By bike, from Castle to Castle along Lake Geneva.
Nearby
- The Alexis Forel Museum, founded in 1918, hosts temporary exhibitions in a medieval house in Morges.
- The Signal de Bougy, at an altitude of 707 m, is home to the Pré-Vert park, a 110-hectare family leisure area.
- The Maison de la Rivière in Tolochenaz combines a research station, a permanent exhibition and an educational trail.
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