Morges Castle and its museums
The castle's history
The four towers of Morges Castle stand in front of the splendid backdrop of the Mont-Blanc and Lake Geneva. This mighty medieval castle has dominated the area since the 13th century. Today it is home to the Vaud Military Museum, the Police Museum, the Artillery Museum and the Museum of Historical Tin Figurines.
The castle – situated at the heart of the small but lively and very pretty wine-growing town of Morges – was built by Louis Count of Savoy in 1285.
Morges Castle and its museums
Built in 1286 by Louis of Savoy, the castle is an excellent example of the "carré savoyard" – a square fortress – typical of medieval Savoy. From 1536 to 1798 the castle served as a residence to the Bernese bailiffs.
Vaud Military Museum
The museum’s collection holds a large number of bladed weapons, firearms and armour. The exhibition in the armoury guides its visitors through 350 years of military history and introduces them to its most famous characters, from Major Davel to General Guisan. Also on show are military uniforms of the Vaud militia.
The new permanent exhibition "Swiss soldiers in foreign service" will open later in 2015.
Artillery Museum
40 canon and an extraordinary collection of to-scale models of Swiss artillery as well as technical drawings and prints provide insight into the many changes the Swiss artillery experienced since the Burgundian Wars.
Swiss Museum of Historical Tin Figurines
10,000 figurines from Raoul Gérard’s magnificent collectioninhabit 50 dioramas depicting historical events from Antiquity to the Napoleonic Wars.
Nefertiti, Darius III during the Battle of Arbela, the siege of Alesia and the crossing of the Beresina feature particularly detailed and impressive paintwork.
Vaud Police Museum
Established by the "Association pour l'Histoire de la Gendarmerie Vaudoise" the Police Museum gives insight into the history of the constabulary of Canton Vaud. The constabulary has protected the canton's independence since its foundation in 1803 und guarantees its freedom and democracy.
September to June
Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
July and August
Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
Mondays closed
Closed from 18 December 2023 to 8 January 2024
Individuals
- Adults: CHF 10.-
- Students, Seniors, reduced: CHF 8.-
- Under 18 years old: free entry
Groups
- Group entry: CHF 8.- per person
- Guided tours: CHF 120.- per group + CHF 8.- per person (outside the regular opening hours: CHF 10.-)
Free entrance
- Children under 6 years
- Public schools
- Military
- Swiss Museum Pass
- Raiffeisen Cards
- Swiss Travel System
Only the Artillery museum is handicapped accessible.
On site
Cold beverages sold in the castle
Nearby
Restaurant du Club Nautique, Place de la Navigation 1
Restaurant du Léman, Rue Louis de Savoie 6
8 minutes by feet from Morges train station.
By car: A1 motorway, exit Morges in direction of the lake. Parking: Place des Sports, 5 minutes by feet, and around the port.
Tourist train from Pentecost until end of September at the shores of Lake Geneva and in the centre of Morges.
Musée Alexis Forel, Expo Fondation Bolle, Maison du Dessin de Presse and "Parc de l’Indépendance" at the castle with its more than one hundert thousend tulips.
Accommodation
- Romantik Hotel Mont-Blanc au Lac
- La Fleur du Lac
- Hôtel de la Nouvelle Couronne