Broken Chair Sculpture

The basics

The Broken Chair Sculpture often features on International District tours that cover the area north of Geneva’s old town, where hundreds of international organizations have offices clustered around the European headquarters of the United Nations, World Health Organization, and World Trade Organizations. Other tour stops generally include the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, plus sights along Lake Geneva’s west shore, including La Perle du Lac park, the Jet d’Eau fountain, and the Flower Clock.

Things to know before you go

• The sculpture has no barriers surrounding it, so you can walk right underneath.
• The neighboring Place des Nations fountains are a refreshing spot for kids to play, so bring a change of clothing and a towel if travelling with children.
• Several large parks and the shores of Lake Geneva are all within walking distance, ideal for a full day outdoors.
• Set on a flat, paved square, the sculpture is easy to visit with a wheelchair or stroller.

How to get there

Geneva’s Broken Chair sculpture sits in Place des Nations in front of the Palais des Nations and is easy to reach via public transportation. The Genève Sécheron train station is a short walk away, while the Nations stop is steps from the artwork, served by bus 5 or tram 15.

When to get there

Though the monumental artwork is lit at night, visit during the day for the best viewing conditions and to pair your trip with a stroll through one of the nearby parks or along the lakefront. There is no shelter from the elements at the sculpture, so aim to see it on a clear, dry day.

Geneva’s art scene

Geneva is an art-lover’s paradise, thanks to an array of world-class museums and galleries bursting with historic and contemporary works. Begin at the stately Museum of Art and History (MAH) to take in its massive and eclectic collection of paintings, sculptures, graphic and decorative art, and more. Then take in the edgy works at The Museums of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMCO) and the Center for Contemporary Art, two of the leading museums in Switzerland. Other unique collections worth exploring include the ceramics at the Ariana Museum and Asian art at Fondation Baur.