If you didn’t know it yet, Geneva, aside from watches and banks, is also the birthplace of one of the pioneers of comic books: Rodolphe Töpffer, considered one of the creators of what we now call the 9th Art. Just that! And this link between Geneva and comics has never really faded away. From Zep, the father of Titeuf, to names like Buche, Poussin, and Chapatte, the city has always been a fertile ground for bubble creators.
The Villa Sarasin: Future Home of Comic Books
To host this future museum, Villa Sarasin, an elegant 19th-century residence located near Geneva’s airport, has been chosen. The Association for a Museum of Comics and Illustration (AMBDI) initiated this project with the idea of revitalizing a prestigious space for a new cultural breath. After putting a lot of thought into it...sadly from other places, it's this villa that hit the jackpot to become the new temple of comics.
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The funding for this museum is already quite advanced with a projected budget of 12 million Swiss francs, nearly half of which comes from private funds. In August 2024, the Geneva government adopted a credit project of five million, pending parliamentary approval. The architect .genevois YKRA has been selected to transform the villa into an innovative place that will stand alongside the major comic book museums in Bâle, Angoulême, or Brussels.
An immense collection for the occasion
With collections ranging from Rodolphe Töpffer to contemporary works, the goal is to showcase the diversity and evolution of comic books. The upcoming exhibition promises to pay tribute to this dynamic medium that captivates a wide and varied audience today, while offering an in-depth look at the history of comics !