The museum houses 'Janus', a famous two-headed Greek tortoise that was born in the museum in 1997 and is the oldest known bicephalic animal.
The mineralogy department contains an extensive collection of Alpine minerals and rare crystalline structures.
The museum operates a long-term bird ringing program that has been active for several decades.
The collection includes a significant herbarium documenting the botanical diversity of the Geneva region.
The Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle in Geneva houses extensive natural history collections across four floors, focusing on zoology, geology, and mineralogy. It is recognized as the largest natural history museum in Switzerland. The facility serves as a major research center, hosting significant scientific archives and taxonomic collections. Key exhibits feature regional fauna from the Alpine and Lake Geneva ecosystems. The museum also maintains a dedicated space for temporary exhibitions exploring contemporary environmental themes. Interactive displays and diorama-style habitats characterize the permanent galleries. The institution operates under the Scientific Department of the City of Geneva.
The life-sized diorama exhibits on the first two floors provide the best lighting and depth for photography.
Check the museum's digital calendar for rotating temporary exhibitions before arriving, as these occupy significant floor space.
Use the free lockers provided at the entrance to store bulky bags and coats for a more comfortable visit through the galleries.
Allow time to visit the museum library if you have a specific interest in rare zoological or geological texts.
Do not attempt to see every single specimen in one visit, as the sheer volume of the collection is overwhelming; focus on specific floors.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume in the exhibition halls; no food or drink permitted in the display areas.
