The Cantonal Museum of Archaeology and History invites you to travel back in time through its exhibitions. In addition, there's a lantern-making workshop, a demonstration of fire-lighting techniques, and guided tours.
From glacial retreat to the present The permanent exhibition of the archeological and history collections is presented in two rooms, the Troyon room (prehistory) and the Naef room (history). Free admission
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Lay your money down! Dedicated to the coins and medals collections, this exhibition room unveils the history of money and its functions in economy. Free admission
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Collections Printemps 2025 Learn more
12h30
16h30
Palais de Rumine, salle C. Martin, 3e étage
16h30, 19h30, 20h30, 21h30 (30m)
Palais de Rumine, salle Troyon, 1e étage
17h00, 20h00, 21h00 (45m)
Jardin sud du Palais de Rumine
The museum bears witness to the intense activity of archaeologists since the 19th century. The large number of digs since the early 1970s continually enriches the Museum’s collections, which are overflowing with artefacts from every period from prehistory to modern times, discovered underground or in monuments of the canton of Vaud.
Often recognised solely for its public activities, the MCAH prioritises the long-term conservation, restoration, inventory and study of the findings from archaeological digs in the canton of Vaud before its own development.
The historic collections are made up of pieces acquired through donations, bequests and purchases. They include a wide range of high-quality artistic objects.
The ethnographic, Egyptian and Greco-Roman collections at the MCAH were mostly assembled in the 19th century. For the moment, they are not presented in the museum’s permanent exhibition.
In 2019, the coins and medals collections of the State of Vaud were integrated into the MCAH, after having been managed by the Cabinet des Médailles, and then the Musée monétaire cantonal.
