Collection de l’Art Brut — Lausanne
Attraction 09 / 20 · Museum · Jean Dubuffet’s gift · Château de Beaulieu

Collection de l’Art Brut — art from outside the norms

A museum unique in Switzerland, born of the gift of the French artist Jean Dubuffet — works created by self-taught artists, far from the art world, in an 18th-century château.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Collection de l’Art Brut

At a glance

Where
Avenue des Bergières 11, 1004 Lausanne
Château de Beaulieu
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 11:00–18:00
Closed Mondays (except holidays)
Tickets
Adults CHF 12 (3-day pass)
Free under 16 and on the first Saturday of the month
Time to plan
1.5–2 hours
Combined pass
Includes the Musée Historique and the Roman Museum of Vidy
Best for
Art lovers · Curious minds

Hours and prices checked on 21 October 2026 — always confirm on the official website before your visit.

Why go

Collection de l’Art Brut

Art Brut — “raw art” — is the name Jean Dubuffet gave to works created by people outside the art world: self-taught creators, often marginal or isolated, inventing their own techniques and imaginary worlds. Dubuffet gave his collection to Lausanne, and the museum opened in 1976.

It is housed in the Château de Beaulieu, an 18th-century château, former property of the Mingard family, which welcomed Jacques Necker and Jules Michelet. Permanent and temporary exhibitions reveal astonishing, moving and sometimes disturbing works.

History

Key dates

  1. 18th c.

    Construction of the Château de Beaulieu.

  2. 1945

    Jean Dubuffet starts collecting “art brut”.

  3. 1976

    The Collection de l’Art Brut opens in Lausanne.

  4. Today

    A reference museum worldwide for outsider art.

What is art brut?

For Dubuffet, art brut was art “untouched by artistic culture”: created without training, without an audience in mind and often with unexpected materials. The museum presents these works with great respect for their authors’ lives and stories.

The visit is short in distance but long in emotions — allow time to read the biographies next to the works.

Did you know?

1976opening of the museum
11–18 hopening hours, Tuesday to Sunday
1st Sat.free entry every first Saturday of the month
3 daysthe pass also covers two other city museums
Collection de l’Art Brut

Plan your visit

Getting there

  • Bus 3, 20 or 21, stop Beaulieu-Jomini.
  • About 15 minutes on foot from the Flon or the Riponne.

Our tips

  • Come on the first Saturday of the month for free entry.
  • On 24 and 31 December the museum closes at 17:00; it is closed on 25 December and 1 January.
  • The 3-day pass also gives access to the Musée Historique and the Roman Museum of Vidy.
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Nearby attractions

Esplanade de Montbenon18Esplanade de Montbenon11 min on foot Le Flon13Le Flon12 min on foot Palais de Rumine15Palais de Rumine12 min on foot Grand-Pont19Grand-Pont13 min on foot

Frequently asked questions

How much is entry?

CHF 12 for adults (3-day pass), CHF 6 for AVS/AI; free under 16, for students and apprentices.

When is it open?

Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00; Monday closed except holidays.

Is there a free day?

Yes, the first Saturday of every month.

What is art brut?

Art made by self-taught creators outside the art world, a term coined by Jean Dubuffet.

How do I get there?

Bus 3, 20 or 21 to Beaulieu-Jomini.

Official sources

VisitLausanne.com is an independent guide. Information is provided for planning purposes; the official websites above are the reference.