Broken Chair and the Palais des Nations

The Broken Chair is a 12-metre-high wooden sculpture on the Place des Nations in Geneva's Quartier des Nations, standing opposite the main entrance of the Palais des Nations, the European headquarters of the United Nations. The monument has one leg shattered and was made as a symbol against landmines and cluster munitions. The frame it offers is a monumental piece of public art in the foreground with the Palais des Nations and the ring of member-state flags behind it, and the scale of the chair allows low-angle compositions that exaggerate its height against the sky. The square faces the Palais, so morning sun lights the chair from the front and brings out the wood grain and the colours of the flags; afternoon light moves behind the sculpture and can create strong backlight and flat silhouettes. The monument is attractive year-round, with clear spring and autumn days giving blue sky and crisp flag colours, and winter occasionally adding snow on the Jura in the distance. Crowds are generally modest, though tour groups and school parties stop here, especially around midday; early morning offers a clear foreground and flags. Photography of the sculpture and the square is permitted, but photography of security staff, delegates or restricted areas of the UN site is not allowed, and the nearby perimeter has strict rules. Tripods are generally tolerated on the public square if they do not block the pavement, though security staff may ask photographers to move, and drones are prohibited in this sensitive diplomatic area. There is no fee to view the chair. A wide-angle lens of 16-35mm is ideal to fit the full chair and the Palais behind it. Restrooms and cafes are available on the nearby Place des Nations and in the neighbouring streets, and public transport has frequent trams and buses to the stop at the square.