Hand museum, Science and medical museum in Lausanne, Switzerland
The Hand Museum is a cultural institution in Lausanne dedicated to exploring this body part through science, history, and art. Its rooms feature interactive displays about anatomy, historical uses, and cultural meaning across different societies.
The surgeon Claude Verdan, head of the university surgical polyclinic until 1980 and founder of the Clinique de Longeraie in 1946, created a foundation for the museum in 1981 after gathering objects related to the hand, published in the book La Main cet univers. The museum opened in 1997 within the CHUV, run in partnership with the University of Lausanne and EPFL.
The museum explores how people use their hands in daily activities and craftsmanship throughout history. Displays show how this tool shapes our work, creativity, and connection to the world around us.
The museum operates Tuesday through Friday from noon to six in the evening and weekends and holidays from 11:00 to 18:00. The location on Rue du Bugnon is easily accessible by public transportation.
The museum focuses specifically on the hand as a tool and means of expression, a focus that sets it apart from general science museums. This specialization allows for deep insights into a frequently overlooked aspect of the human body.
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