The building was constructed on the foundation of a former 19th-century locomotive roundhouse, which is still visible in the form of the brick facade's arched geometry.
The museum holds one of the largest collections of works by Félix Vallotton globally.
The structure's interior lighting system is designed to mimic the natural fluctuations of daylight while maintaining strict conservation standards.
Plateforme 10, the complex hosting the museum, was specifically developed to consolidate Lausanne's major art institutions into a single urban precinct.
The museum's collection contains extensive archives related to the history of printmaking in the Vaud region.
The Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA) is located within the Plateforme 10 arts district, situated on the site of a former locomotive depot. It houses a collection of over 10,000 works spanning from the 18th century to contemporary art. The museum building is defined by a massive, elongated brick facade designed to preserve the industrial memory of the railway area. Its core collection features significant holdings of 19th and 20th-century Swiss art, with a particular focus on painters like Charles Gleyre and Félix Vallotton. The institution regularly organizes thematic exhibitions that bridge historical collections with contemporary international trends. The architecture utilizes a sawtooth roof design to provide consistent natural light throughout the galleries. It serves as a central pillar of Lausanne's concentrated museum district adjacent to the main railway hub.
The central atrium staircase, which offers a dramatic view of the building's industrial-inspired geometric architecture.
Visit the building's exterior at different times of the day to see how the light changes the appearance of the brick facade.
Check the Plateforme 10 website in advance, as the campus often hosts outdoor installations or performances that are free to the public.
Allocate time to explore the public spaces between the museums, which are designed as an open urban living room.
Do not mistake the museum for the neighboring photo or contemporary design museums located within the same Plateforme 10 complex.
Closed on Mondays.
