International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum stands at Avenue de la Paix 17 in Geneva's Quartier des Nations, directly opposite the Palais des Nations in Switzerland. It was founded to tell the story of humanitarian action, and Geneva is a fitting home because the Red Cross movement began here in the 1860s. The permanent exhibition, housed in a modern building with a striking, largely underground layout, is built around three themes: Defending Human Dignity, Restoring Family Links and Reducing Natural Risks. Each theme is presented in its own space through film, photographs, personal testimonies, documents and objects, with a design that emphasises reflection rather than spectacle. Visitors encounter material on armed conflict, detention, missing persons and disaster response, and a wall of index cards from the International Committee of the Red Cross's tracing agency illustrates the work of reuniting separated families. Interactive elements allow visitors to follow individual stories, and the tone is serious but accessible. A visit generally lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours, and audio guides are available in several languages. The museum is open Wednesday to Monday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM and closed on Tuesdays. Admission is about CHF 15 for adults and CHF 7.50 for reduced rates, with free entry for children under 12. Weekday mornings are typically the quietest times, while school groups can fill the galleries on weekdays around midday. Photography is generally allowed in most areas for personal use, but visitors should respect any signage. The museum pairs naturally with a tour of the Palais des Nations and the Musée Ariana, all within a couple of minutes' walk. Because the content can be emotionally heavy, parents of younger children may want to preview the themes first, though teenagers often find it one of Geneva's most thought-provoking stops.