Event Details
Beneath the historic St. Pierre Cathedral lies one of Geneva’s most fascinating cultural treasures: an extensive archaeological site that reveals over 2,000 years of continuous urban history. Hidden beneath the cathedral floor, this vast underground museum allows visitors to step back through the layers of Geneva’s past, from pre‑Christian settlements to the rise of early Christianity and the foundations of the medieval cathedral. Excavated over a period of 30 years, the site includes remarkably preserved remains such as 4th‑century church structures, a paleo-Christian baptistery, an Allobrogian tomb, domestic and ritual spaces, wells, and vestiges of Roman and early medieval occupation. These findings help illustrate Geneva’s development as a key center for Christianity north of the Alps.
Today, the archaeological site is recognized as one of the most important of its kind in Europe. Modern museum design enhances the visitor experience through illuminated walkways, detailed interpretive signage, 3D animations, interactive digital tools, and finely curated displays that explain both the archaeological discoveries and the methods used to uncover them.
On Saturday, 25 April 2026, we will offer a guided tour in English, lasting approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The tour begins at 15h00, giving participants ample time to explore before the museum closes at 17h00. This schedule provides a comfortable and engaging visit within the museum’s opening hours.
After the tour there will be plenty of time to visit the cathedral and a few notable sites in the area, including the Alabama plaque commemorating the First Geneva Convention in 1864 which founded the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Promenade de la Treille, and the tiled mosaics of 3 events in Geneva history next to the canons.
We will then end our time together with a dinner at the Hotel de Ville with a preset menu, for those interested. We look forward to seeing you there!
Practical information
Public transport
N° 36 “Cathédrale” bus stop
N° 2, 7, 10, 12, 17, “Molard” stop (bus and streetcar)
N° 3 and 5 “Palais-Eynard” bus stop
Parking
Parking lots Saint-Antoine and Mont Blanc
Good to know
• The tour will take place rain or shine.
• It is a walking tour and is expected to last 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• This event is open to all, active members and others who wish to join.
• The dinner can be booked separately from the tour for those who would like to join the group but cannot make the tour.
Prices: Archeological Site Tour (max. 20 participants)
CHF 15 per person for the tour guide in English
Non-Dues Paying Members will be asked to pay an additional CHF 4 per person for the entrance fees at the tour onsite.
Dues Paying Member entrance fees are sponsored by the Cornell Club of Switzerland
Dinner: Hotel de Ville
CHF 75 per person – dues-paying members
CHF 85 per person – all others
Find out how to become a dues-paying here.
Prix Fixe Menu:
Please email us your menu choices in advance at admin@cornellswitzerland.ch.
Conditions
Deadline to sign up: Friday, 17 April 2026
Payment in full at the registration
No reimbursement for cancellation
The guided tour is limited to only 20 participants!
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