Olympic Museum
Vaud
The Olympic Museum, located in the Ouchy district of Lausanne on the shores of Lake Geneva, is a modern cultural institution dedicated to the history and heritage of the Olympic Games. Opened on June 23, 1993, on the initiative of then-IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch, the museum offers visitors an immersive experience through audiovisual shows, original equipment used by famous Olympians, and rotating temporary exhibitions complementing its permanent collection. The museum also houses an Olympic study center with a specialized library, a video archive on Olympic history, and several auditoriums. Outside, the museum park features sculptures inspired by sports and ancient Greek culture. The Olympic flame, lit at the museum's inauguration by figure skater Katarina Witt, burns continuously in the park. Renovated and expanded in 2013, the museum doubled its exhibition space and enhanced its thematic presentations and park area, making it a major destination for sports and culture enthusiasts. It was honored as the European Museum of the Year in 1995 by the Council of Europe and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
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Astuce: The best time to visit the Olympic Museum is during spring and summer when the surrounding park is in full bloom, enhancing the outdoor sculptures and views of Lake Geneva. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance to avoid queues, especially during peak tourist seasons and special exhibitions. The museum offers discounts for students, seniors, and groups. Guided tours and multimedia guides are available to enrich the visitor experience. Combine your visit with a stroll along the lakeside promenade of Ouchy for a complete cultural and scenic outing.
Faits intéressants
- •The Olympic flame at the museum park has been burning continuously since its inauguration in 1993.
- •The museum holds a unique philatelic collection related to the Olympic Games.
- •In 1995, the museum received Henry Moore's sculpture 'The Egg' on loan for a year.
- •The museum recorded a record attendance of over 211,000 visitors in 2001.
- •The museum was funded in part by a $20 million donation from Yoshiaki Tsutsumi during Nagano's bid for the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Histoire
The Olympic Museum was inaugurated on June 23, 1993, in Lausanne, the Olympic Capital and home of the International Olympic Committee.
Its establishment was driven by Juan Antonio Samaranch to preserve and promote Olympic heritage.
The museum is situated next to a villa owned by the IOC for decades.
In 1995, it was named European Museum of the Year by the Council of Europe.
A major renovation and expansion took place in 2013, doubling exhibition space and adding new thematic areas and park landscaping.
The Olympic flame has been burning continuously in the museum park since its opening, symbolizing the enduring spirit of the Games.
Guide du lieu
Permanent Exhibition Halls
These halls display original Olympic artifacts, audiovisual presentations, and interactive installations that narrate the history and values of the Olympic Movement.
Olympic Study Centre
A specialized research center within the museum housing a library, video archive, and auditoriums dedicated to Olympic history and sport studies.
Museum Park and Sculptures
The outdoor park showcases sculptures inspired by various sports and ancient Greek themes, providing a scenic and cultural complement to the indoor exhibitions.
Contact
Téléphone: 021 621 65 11