red cross tour geneva

Have you ever wondered how the Red Cross adventure began?

Everything happened in Geneva. Yes, right here!

The humanitarian trail of the Red Cross takes you through the city to discover the story of the world’s largest humanitarian Movement.

In the Old Town, follow the footsteps of a handful of Geneva citizens as they embark on this humanitarian adventure.

Head towards the city’s international district to discover how this led to the remarkable development of modern humanitarian action and law. Visit the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and explore the emerging humanitarian challenges that affect us all.

An unforgettable experience!

Walk the trail

At your own pace.

Would you like to discover the trail on your own and at your leisure?

The free brochure and an interactive map guide you through the various Red Cross landmarks as you stroll through the city. To enrich your visit, three short videos are accessible via links and QR Codes.

The brochure can be obtained in different formats and languages (French, English, German, and Spanish – see menu).

Digital version of our brochure and interactive map

Printed guides are available at the following locations:

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum Avenue de la Paix 17 – 1202 Geneva (Tue-Sun)

Genève Tourisme: Jardin Anglais

With appointment : Rue du Valais, 9 – 1202 Genève

Printed guides can also be ordered via the contact form. Please specify the quantity, language, destination and one of the following options: free delivery anywhere in Switzerland, a quotation for mailing outside Switzerland or a pick-up appointment the above address.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. Name * First Last E-mail * Comment or message * Send

With the author

Would you prefer a personalised experience full of insights into this fascinating story?

Catherine Hubert Girod, author of the humanitarian trail, will take you on a journey back to the 19th-century bringing to life the main characters as the plot unfolds along in the cobbled streets of the Old Town.

Image credit for page header: Areal view of the Old Town of Geneva – @ Geneva Tourism Office

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum

Top ways to experience International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

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International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum

Top ways to experience International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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• (STTG03)Geneva International Quarter & Lakeside Sightseeing Tour (From AU$45.43)
• (0.44 km) InterContinental Geneve, an IHG Hotel
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• (1.14 km) Mon Repos Hotel
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• (1.90 km) Hotel D Geneva
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• Movers and Shakers
• L'oeil de la Genève Internationale
• Who's who
• Support services
• Training and education
• Conference infrastructure
• Local authorities
• Facts and figures
• Areas of expertise
• Organizations in figures
• Achievements
• Historical milestones
• History through images
• Nobel prizes
• They came to Geneva
• Architectural history

Discover international Geneva's museums, tours & exhibitions

The humanitarian trail of the Red Cross:

More information

International district of Geneva: walking guided tour, panoramic tour by trolley-bus or Segway, with Geneva Tourism:

The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), housed at the Palais des Nations, is one of the most active centres for multilateral diplomacy in the world.

Walk in the chambers where many important historical negotiations took place, discover the incredible gifts presented by various countries to the UN at Geneva or learn about the Palais des Nation's history and the UN's current activities. Whether you are interested in politics and history, or simply want to enjoy a walk in one of Geneva's most beautiful parks, these various guided tours proposed by UNOG and available in different languages are a great way to explore all these aspects. 

Guided tours

What are the great questions of contemporary physics? What is the Higgs Boson and what does it tell us about the origins of the universe? What is the role of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), its focus and objectives? What are the experiments conducted on its premises?

CERN invites the public to discover the mysteries of the universe and the work of the world's biggest physics laboratory at the Science Gateway.

Visit CERN Science Gateway

Built between 1923 and 1926, the Centre William Rappard was the first building in Geneva designed to house an international organization, the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ILO left the building in 1975 for its new headquarters. It then hosted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the library of the Graduate Institute of International Studies (IUHEI) and the Secretariat of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

In 1995, the Centre William Rappard became the headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum's permanent exhibition "The Humanitarian Adventure" offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn more about the history and current challenges of humanitarian action.

Located next to the ICRC headquarters in Geneva, the Museum reflects on the major challenges of today's world: Defending human dignity, Restoring family links, Reducing natural risks. These three separate areas were developed by renowned architects from different regions of the world.

An interactive chronology also presents 150 years of humanitarian history, and visitors can track Red Cross and Red Crescent operations around the globe. Visitors can also discover temporary exhibitions at the Museum.

Visit the Museum

Visit the International Red Cross Museum in Geneva

The Museum of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent is one of the top museums to see in Genève, Switzerland. The Humanitarian Adventure is the exhibition theme.

The Musée international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge is one of the best-known museums in Geneva, Switzerland. The museum’s permanent collection “The Humanitarian Adventure” is currently divided into three exhibitions: defending human dignity, restoring family links, and reducing natural risks. It is best to think of the museum in terms of these three very modern exhibitions rather than a traditional museum with clear information on the history and work of the International Red Cross.

International Red Cross Museum in Geneva

The Museum of the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent in Geneva reopened in mid-2013 after a two-year remake with a new exhibition entitled “The Humanitarian Adventure”. This permanent collection of the museum is divided into three sections: defending human dignity, restoring family links, and reducing natural risks. The exhibitions are very modern with several interactive displays but are a bit short on details and information on the Red Cross.

Admission includes the use of an audio guide that switches on automatically (but sometimes not) with further details on some exhibitions available by punching in the numbers. Written descriptions are very cryptic, when available at all.

The exhibition starts with a “Chamber of Witnesses” – twelve life-sized figures standing in a semi-circle in a darkish room. No explanation is given of its purpose, and although visitors see these figures again later in testimonies given at the end of exhibitions, it is simply confusing at the start of the exhibitions. Many visitors wander around enquiring from others if their audio guides are working before finding their way down the stairs to the main museum display floor with the three exhibitions.

Defending Human Dignity Exhibition in the Red Cross Museum

The Defending Human Dignity exhibition in the Red Cross Museum has a small display on Henry Dunant, who founded the Red Cross in 1863. Also on display are the original Geneva Convention, a few items used to identify the Red Cross, and listings of some major events in the protection of human dignity – the oldest goes back to 1750 BC (“The King of Babylon expresses his will that the strong should not oppress the weak” in the Code of Hammurabi ).

A number of artworks by prisoners made in various parts of the world is displayed but with limited information on the circumstances. The works do show the importance of mental stimulation and creativity to preserve dignity in difficult and unjust circumstances.

Restoring Family Links

The Restoring Family Links exhibition starts out much as can be expected of a museum: the archives of World War I prisoner records that the Red Cross used to provide information and reunite families. At four desks, visitors can go through the process of checking information and index cards and experience the process. However, on a busy day, it is probably not worth the wait.

A wall of small photos of children from Rwanda and a sheet used at Srebrenica to distribute information are very moving. However, the explanations and information on how the Red Cross unite families with modern technology are a bit lacking.

Reducing Natural Risks

The Reducing Natural Risk exhibition, even more than the other two, has a feeling of a temporary additional display rather than being part of a permanent collection of a museum. The displays here are hard to follow or to comprehend why they are on show in the first place.

The exhibition starts with a large round touch screen table with a video game of saving as many villagers as possible from a natural disaster. Teens and students enjoyed slapping the screen but most other visitors looked on a bit bewildered – a nice piece of technology but the educational value seems close to zero.

The rest of the exhibition is downright confusing. A couple of Red Cross posters without much explanation why these were selected and video displays without any explanation of when, where, or why – an odd way to celebrate “One Hundred Years of prevention”.

A large part of the space is taken up by behind-the-scenes of presumably making a disaster prevention warning video. However, no explanation is given of the purpose or reason. Maybe the audio guides were supposed to have worked automatically here but they did not and there was no text to explain any of it.

On the Spot

Back on the ground floor, the “On the Spot” exhibition has some information on the day-to-day Red Cross and Red Crescent operations around the globe. The main focus in this room is a large globe, which looks good, but otherwise information is simply given by touch screens – much like browsing the internet. A further set of touch screen highlight in chronological order major humanitarian events throughout history.

Style over Substance?

The exhibitions in the Red Cross Museums are very well done and look very good but that is part of the problem: it is easy to leave with a feeling of style over substance. The museum has remarkably little information on the International Committee of the Red Cross, its history, or its current activities. It uses quite a large space to tell disappointingly little about a very worthy organization that deserves much more attention.

The various testimonies by humanitarian workers and victims are interesting but take up a lot of physical space. Even on a quiet day, the lone seat or small spaces fill up fast and it is either a long wait or missing these all together.

The architects of the three exhibitions give interesting explanations of why they have selected specific materials in designing the exhibition spaces. Unfortunately, that is easily lost on visitors and the curators failed to fill the space with much content.

The Red Cross Museum is interesting to visit but many visitors expecting a traditional museum with information on the history and activities of the  International Committee of the Red Cross  may well leave rather disappointed –  Wikipedia  has more information than the museum.

Visitor Information for the Red Cross Museum in Geneva

The Museum of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closing at 6 pm from April to October). The museum is closed on Monday, December 24, 25, 31 and January 1.

Admission tickets are rather pricy at CHF15 for adults, and CHF7 for 12-22 and over 65-year olds, and free for children under 12. Temporary exhibitions may sometimes be seen separately for CHF5. The Swiss Museum Pass and Geneva Pass are valid. Railaway discount offers may be available for visitors arriving in Genève by train.

The  Red Cross Museum  is at Avenue de la Paix 17, 1202 Genève – across the road from the car entrance to the United Nations Offices. Free parking is available in the region but busy during the week.

The Red Cross Museum can easily be reached by bus 8 (direction Appia or OMS) from Geneva train station, or from Geneva Airport by bus 28 (direction Jardin Botanique). Bus stop Appia is directly at the museum. It is also a pleasant uphill stroll from Place de Nations with many further bus and tram connections.

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International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum

Top ways to experience International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Guided tour : Humanitarian Geneva : Red Cross

Autre lieu, geneva.

A visit to the heart of the Old Town where you get to discover the history of Geneva’s humanitarian action, the 13th july at 4pm.

Dive into the history of the International Committee of the Red Cross and find out how Geneva became home to humanitarian action on a global scale, from the 19th century onwards. Come to understand the role Geneva plays today with its international and non-governmental institutions, helping maintain peace and protecting victims of armed conflict around the world. Departure : Buste Henry-Duant, place de Neuve More information and reservation : https://www.geneve.com/en/attractions/guided-tour-humanitarian-geneva-red-cross#/

?eventId=1070683716

Adult : 25 CHF, Child 15 CHF, AVS : 15 CHF

Autre lieu Genève 1200 Geneva

www.geneve.com/en/plan-a-trip/agenda

Pressemitteilung Baudokumentation

www.guidle.com/JPiTYj

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International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum

Top ways to experience International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Switzerland

ICRC headquarters in Geneva supports our delegations around the world. Geneva also manages the ICRC's role of advocate and defender of IHL, dealing with governments and with partners in the humanitarian community. Headquarters manages funding appeals, human resources and global communications.

Job opportunity

The ICRC is recruiting: Operations Director

• 17 .05.2024 / 24 .06.2024 Water and sanitation course – from emergency towards development 2024
• 25 .08.2025 / 29 .08.2025 Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers
• Law and policy platform
• Building respect for the law
• Office of the President
• Learning and teaching IHL
• The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Generating respect for the law
• Conduct of hostilities
• Use of weapons

Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge

Compelling multimedia exhibits at Geneva's fascinating International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum trawl through atrocities perpetuated by humanity. The litany of war and nastiness, documented in films, photos, sculptures and soundtracks, is set against the noble aims of the organisation founded by Geneva businessmen Henry Dunant in 1863. Excellent temporary exhibitions command an additional entrance fee.

To get here take bus 8 from Gare CFF de Cornavin to the Appia stop.

Av de la Paix 17

Get In Touch

022 748 95 11

https://www.redcrossmuseum.ch

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Salterton Arts Review

Arts, Theatre and Heritage

Erin Caswell

Long-time London resident and avid museum and theatre-goer. I started this blog in 2014, and got serious about it in 2020 when I realised how much I missed arts and culture during lockdowns. I go to a lot more events than anyone would think is sensible, and love sharing my thoughts in the forms of reviews, the occasional thought piece, and travel recommendations when I leave my London HQ.

The Establishment Of The Red Cross – A Walking Tour Through Geneva’s Old Town

A walk through points of interest in the story of the Red Cross is a nice way to learn some more about the organisation’s history as well as exploring the old town.

An Early Morning, Red Cross Walk

I may not have given you this impression thanks to the numerous cultural and touristy things I got up to in Switzerland , but I did actually have things to be doing there. So during my couple of days in Geneva, time to explore was limited. The Salterton Arts Review is an early bird though, and this isn’t the first walk I’ve done in similar circumstances (see here ).

I was staying just below Geneva’s Old Town, and fancied a walk around this area. I had a bit of trouble finding one to suit. I’m nothing if not persistent though, and in the end the walk we’re following today is one that the Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum have archived online. I don’t know why, because it’s quite good and fairly recent. But they must have their reasons, so I won’t link to the archive site I found it on. You’ll just have to take my word for the historic facts and characters we find along the way.

The original walk had two parts: one in the Old Town, and one in the international district closer to the museum itself. We’re doing the former only. It is a ‘humanitarian journey’, immersing you in Geneva while telling the story of how a handful of individuals began the Red Cross story. It’s an empowering reminder of how just one person can sometimes kickstart something much bigger than themselves. On the way, I will also point out a few unrelated but interesting sights.

Getting Started: Around The Place De Neuve

The Place De Neuve To The Parc Des Bastions

Getting Closer To The Red Cross: Monuments And Conferences

The Chapelle De L’Oratoire And A Former Printing Works

The Place du Bourg-de-Four To The Old Arsenal

Around The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre

Of Doctors And Diplomats: The Legacy Of Our Red Cross Story

Homeward (Or Hotel) Bound

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Israel military push in Rafah poses 'disastrous risk': Red Cross

Geneva, Switzerland - Israel's looming military push into the southern Gaza city of Rafah could have a dire impact, the Red Cross warned on Wednesday, demanding that "the fundamental principle of humanity" be upheld.

Smoke billows during Israeli bombardment over Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on February 12, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group. A series of Israeli air strikes on the southern Gaza town of Rafah on February 12, 2024 killed 52 people, according to the Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry. The strikes hit 14 houses and three mosques in different parts of Rafah, according to the Hamas government. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) cautioned that increased and sustained hostilities in Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinians are trapped, posed a "disastrous risk to civilian lives and infrastructure".

Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers have been at war for four months and the threat of a Rafah ground operation has triggered global alarm over the potential for mass civilian casualties.

"We renew our call on the parties to the conflict... to spare and protect civilian lives and infrastructure," Fabrizio Carboni, the ICRC's Middle East director, said in a statement.

Belligerents "must ensure the basic necessities of life are provided and the necessary safeguards to preserve life are undertaken for the civilian population," he said.

Hamas's attack last October that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

At least 28,500 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israel's response, according to the latest Gaza health ministry figures.

Pointing to indications that "a new phase of the conflict is unfolding", the ICRC insisted that "even amidst the carnage and extreme polarisation, the fundamental principle of humanity must be upheld".

Israel, as the occupying power, bore responsibility under international law for ensuring that the basic needs of the civilian population are met, it said.

The ICRC stressed that "forced displacement" was explicitly banned under international humanitarian law, as was the use of human shields and indiscriminate attacks that cause disproportionate civilian death, injury and destruction.

Any planned evacuations ahead of an incursion, meanwhile, entailed a long list of responsibilities.

"Evacuations have to ensure that civilians arrive safely, and have satisfactory conditions of hygiene, health, safety and nutrition, and that members of the same family are not separated," the ICRC said.

Evacuees "must be able to return to their homes as soon as hostilities have stopped".

In a separate statement, the ICRC said it remained "extremely concerned" about the lives and welfare of the hostages held in Gaza, and reiterated its call for their unconditional release.

Around 130 of an estimated 250 people taken hostage by Palestinian militants during the October 7 attack are believed to remain in Gaza. Israel says 29 of them are presumed dead.

"Hostage-taking is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law," the ICRC said.

The organisation, which has faced accusations of not doing enough for the hostages, stressed that it "from day one ... has called, publicly and behind closed doors, for the release of all hostages immediately and unconditionally".