Broken Chair Geneva Visitor Guide
How to visit the giant three-legged chair opposite the United Nations
Content last updated · August 31, 2026
The Broken Chair is one of the easiest landmarks in Geneva to visit: it is an outdoor, free, 24-hour public monument on Place des Nations. Here is everything you need to plan your visit — exact location, transport, best times, photography tips and what to see nearby, plus practical information on toilets, parking, dining, accommodation, shops and refuelling.
Exact location
The sculpture stands on Place des Nations, 1202 Genève, directly opposite the main entrance of the Palace of Nations (United Nations Office at Geneva). Its Plus Code is 64FQ+4G Geneva.
The monument is visible as soon as you arrive at the square — there is no ticket office, queue or gate. You simply walk up to it.
Getting there by public transport
Tram 15 and buses 8, 28 and F stop at 'Nations', the terminus directly in front of the square — about a 1-minute walk to the chair. Buses 5, 11 and 22 also pass through the International District.
Overnight guests in Geneva hotels receive the free 'Geneva Transport Card' (mobility card) for unlimited rides on TPG buses, trams and boats. From Geneva Cornavin station, take tram 15 to the Nations terminus (about 10-15 minutes). From the airport, bus 5 or 28 reaches the square in about 15-20 minutes.
Best time to visit and photo angles
The square is pleasant at any hour. Mornings offer the best light on the chair and the Palace of Nations, with fewer visitors; evenings are quieter and the monument is lit after dusk.
For the classic photograph, position yourself at the edge of the square in front of the main UN gate so the chair fills the frame with the Palace of Nations behind it. If the fountain on the square is running, use it as a foreground element.
What to combine with your visit
The Broken Chair anchors a half-day route through Geneva's International District: book a guided tour of the Palace of Nations, visit the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, and stroll through Ariana Park or the Jardin Anglais and the lake promenade.
Because the chair is outdoors and free, it also works perfectly as a short stop between other sightseeing in Geneva.
Public toilets and facilities
Public toilets are available at Place des Nations, in the square area near the tram terminus. Additional public facilities can be found across the International District and along the lake promenade.
The square itself offers benches, shade and open space. Remember that the monument is an open-air sculpture: there are no lockers, cloakrooms or shops on the square itself.
Parking and driving
A large public underground car park sits beneath the square (Parking des Nations), open daily with hourly rates and disabled parking spaces. Street parking in the International District is limited and metered.
If you drive, allow extra time in the morning or late afternoon, when traffic around the international organisations is busiest. Public transport remains the most convenient option.
Eating and drinking nearby
The International District offers a range of cafés, brasseries, restaurants and self-service eateries within a short walk of the square — from quick coffee stops to business-style lunch spots.
For a picnic, the parks around the district (including Ariana Park) are pleasant, and food shops are available nearby.
Where to stay
Accommodation near the monument includes hotels of the International District and the surrounding residential streets, a short tram ride from the city centre.
Hotels in central Geneva (around the lake and the old town) are equally convenient: tram 15 reaches Place des Nations in about 10 minutes, and overnight guests receive the free Geneva Transport Card.
Supermarkets and shops
There is no shopping on the square itself, but supermarkets and grocery stores are a short tram or bus ride away in the city centre and around the main station.
For daily essentials, look for convenience stores and supermarkets along the tram lines that serve the Nations area.
Fuel and electric vehicle charging
Petrol stations are located in the wider city area and along the main roads into Geneva; the nearest are a short drive from the International District.
Electric vehicle charging points are available at several public car parks across the city, including locations in the International District.