Collection de l’Art Brut

Updated June 11, 2025

## Collection de l’Art Brut (Lausanne): what it is, why it matters, and how to visit

At 11, avenue des Bergières, 1004 Lausanne, the Collection de l’Art Brut is Lausanne’s museum dedicated to Art Brut—work created outside formal artistic training and traditional art circuits. Brut CH

The museum is housed in the Château de Beaulieu, and the institution traces directly back to Jean Dubuffet (1901–1985), the French painter credited with introducing the concept of Art Brut. Tourisme – Official Website

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## What “Art Brut” means here

According to the museum’s own explanation, Art Brut works are created by self-taught artists—people described as impermeable to collective norms and values, often creating without seeking recognition or worrying about public criticism. The concept is credited to Jean Dubuffet, who from 1945 assembled works by people including psychiatric hospital residents, inmates, and other marginalized or isolated creators. Brut CH

The museum also includes a definition attributed to Dubuffet (with a citation to a 1949 publication), emphasizing makers “free from artistic culture,” with minimal “mimetic influence,” deriving subject matter and materials from their own foundations rather than academic or fashionable art. Brut CH

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## Origins and collection background

A key institutional fact: in 1971, Dubuffet donated his collection and Art Brut archives to the City of Lausanne—described as an exceptional set of around 5,000 pieces—and the museum opened to the public on 26 February 1976 in an 18th-century château. Musées

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## Practical visitor info you can verify before you go

### Address + contact
– Collection de l’Art Brut
11, avenue des Bergières, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland Brut CH
– Phone: +41 21 315 25 70 Brut CH
– Email: [email protected] Brut CH

### Opening hours (note the mismatch across sources)
The museum’s Practical information page states:
– Tuesday–Sunday: 11:00–18:00
– Closed on December 25 and January 1
– Special hours: Dec 24 & Dec 31: 11:00–17:00
– Open on Mondays in July and August
– Mentions being open on some public holidays and certain Mondays (e.g., Easter, Pentecost, Fast). Brut CH

However, Lausanne Musées lists 10:00–17:00 for Tue–Sun on its page. Musées

Outdated-data flag: because reputable local sources disagree on hours, treat the hours as time-sensitive and verify on the museum’s own current “practical information / opening hours” page before your visit. Brut CH

### Ticket prices
From the museum’s practical info:
– Adult: CHF 12
– Reduced rate (examples listed include AVS/AI, Caritas Culture Card, groups of 6+): CHF 6
– Free admission categories listed include children under 18, plus several other groups (e.g., students, apprentices, unemployed), and holders of certain passes/cards (e.g., Swiss Museum Pass). Brut CH

Lausanne Tourisme also lists “from 12 CHF,” and notes free entry with the Lausanne City Pass. Tourisme – Official Website

The museum site additionally states:
– Free admission for everyone on the first Saturday of each month, and on occasions such as International Museum Day and European Heritage Days. Brut CH

### Getting there by public transport
From the museum’s practical info:
– TL buses 3, 20, 21 → stop Beaulieu-Jomini
– From Lausanne CFF station: buses 3 or 21 Brut CH

Lausanne Tourisme lists buses 3, 20, 21 for the same stop as well. Tourisme – Official Website

### Accessibility (limited but specific)
Lausanne Tourisme marks the site as:
– Partially accessible by wheelchair
– Toilets partially accessible by wheelchair
– A parking space partially accessible by wheelchair Tourisme – Official Website

Outdated-data flag: the museum’s own “Accessibility” page (English) currently displays placeholder text rather than detailed access information, so it’s not a reliable source for specifics beyond what third-party listings provide. Brut CH

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## What you can reliably say you’ll encounter (without guessing current exhibits)

The museum describes its core as work by self-taught creators outside traditional artistic circuits, and Lausanne Tourisme explicitly frames it as art created outside academic conventions. Brut CH

Lausanne Tourisme also states the Collection is installed in the Château de Beaulieu and is “fruit du don” (resulting from the donation) of Jean Dubuffet. Tourisme – Official Website

(Exhibitions change; if you want the current lineup, use the museum’s official program pages rather than static travel listings.)

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