Meyrin: Science, Nature and Culture

Meyrin is a municipality in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland. The main site of CERN, a European particle physics laboratory, is located here. Since the 1950s, the town has developed from a small farming village into a commuter municipality with numerous high-rise buildings; many residents work at CERN or in central Geneva. Meyrin therefore brings together a strong scientific connection, a greatly transformed urban landscape, and a range of nature and culture themes. To put your stay into context, it is worth considering these highlights separately: from CERN to the garden and lake, as well as art and wildlife observation.

Science and Outreach

The CERN Science Gateway is CERN’s education and outreach centre, offering immersive multimedia exhibitions. While the main site of the European particle physics laboratory is in Meyrin, the Science Gateway focuses on outreach. Its multimedia format gives this role a distinct profile and sets it apart from a focus on the institution itself. If you are interested in science, you can explore both CERN’s role in Meyrin and how scientific knowledge is communicated.

Botanical Garden and Plant Diversity

The Jardin botanique alpin de Meyrin is a living museum focusing on alpine wildlife and plants. Its labelled collection comprises 2,450 plants from temperate zones around the world; its size may change as the collections develop. The garden thus brings together an alpine theme and a geographically wide-ranging collection. For nature enthusiasts, this offers a combination of a clear focus and plant diversity from temperate regions around the world.

Nature at Lac des Vernes

Lac des Vernes has paths along the shore and recreational areas. An educational and informative trail is designed for curious visitors. The lakeside project also includes an amphitheatre shelter and three study pools for observing life in the lake and its wildlife and plant life. The shoreline paths and recreational areas sit alongside a focus on learning and observation. Swimming is not permitted in Lac des Vernes.

Art, Performances and Local History

Meyrin’s live arts programme features performances and concerts at the Théâtre du Forum and at various venues throughout Meyrin. The venues may change with the programme. In addition, the cultural department commissions artists to develop performances, presentations and experiences connected with social issues, iconic places in the city, or municipal projects; individual commissioned works may change. The live programme focuses on performances and concerts, while the commissioned works also explore thematic or urban connections.

The artwork “Ici ailleurs” forms a footpath from Meyrin’s former village centre to its new town centre. The former village centre and the new centre thus mark two points in the town’s transformation; the footpath itself is part of the artwork. For visitors interested in the town’s development, art has a tangible connection to its urban structure.

Reptiles at the Vivarium

At the Vivarium de Meyrin, visitors can observe snakes, lizards and crocodiles from around the world in their natural environment. Its focus on reptiles offers a different perspective from the botanical garden and nature observation at the lake.

Discover more destinations: Cartigny Ge, Presinge, Chêne-Bougeries, Dardagny, Lancy, Versoix, Veyrier Ge, Genthod.

Go to the overview of destinations: Geneva.