Villa Bernasconi is a municipal contemporary art centre housed in a manor house built in 1828 in Lancy. Here you can discover exhibitions of contemporary art, comics and illustration, set in a park that slopes down towards the Aire.
Fine and applied arts museums
Main highlights
- Contemporary art exhibitions, comics and illustration, featuring talent from French-speaking Switzerland
- Discovery trail for families with children aged 4 and up at every exhibition
- Landscaped park sloping down to the banks of the Aire, surrounding a neoclassical villa
Overview
Villa Bernasconi is a manor house built in 1828 and lived in from 1831 by the Soret family. Today it bears the name of the Bernasconi family. Acquired by the City of Lancy in the 1990s, it was fully renovated for its cultural role.
Its neoclassical-influenced architecture recalls that of many estates on the outskirts of Geneva. Since 1997, it has housed a contemporary art centre run by the municipality’s cultural department. The spaces showcase both the artworks and the historic building.
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What to see and do
The programme features several exhibitions a year devoted to contemporary art, comics and illustration. They bring together emerging artists and established creators, with particular attention to local talent and artists from French-speaking Switzerland. The generously proportioned rooms, bathed in natural light, offer a modern exhibition design that respects the spirit of the villa.
The centre also hosts performances, readings, concerts and workshops. These events encourage encounters between artists and the public in an intimate setting. Cultural mediators offer descriptive and sensory tours.
Each exhibition comes with a discovery trail for families with children aged 4 and up, offering a fun, interactive way to explore contemporary art.
Practical information
Getting there : the villa is served by Geneva public transport, with the P+R Étoile and Mairie Lancy stops and Lancy Pont-Rouge station nearby.
On site : free parking is available nearby. Gallery guides in French and English accompany self-guided visits.
Suitable for : families, children aged 4 and up, adults. Groups can arrange visits by appointment.
Visiting tips
The venue is only open during exhibition periods, so check the centre’s website before you go. For family workshops, advance registration is generally recommended.
Allow time for a stroll in the park and along the Aire after your visit.
Nearby
- The Musée de Carouge hosts exhibitions on the history, people and art of Carouge.
- The Bois de la Bâtie is a wooded area with a wildlife park of local species and a viewpoint over the Arve.
- The MEG Geneva Ethnography Museum offers exhibitions on world cultures.
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