Bourbaki Panorama
Bourbaki Panorama
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
This gigantic panoramic work by Edouard Castres from 1881 is 112 metres long and 10 metres high and is one of the most impressive spectacles in the history of the Panorama medium..It depicts the eastern French army under General Bourbaki during.its memorable escape to Switzerland during the Franco-Prussian War in.the harsh winter of 1871. The internment.of the 87,000-strong battalion is regarded as the largest admission of refugees ever carried out by Switzerland. A sculptured terrain with figures and props is placed in front of the painting, giving the entire scene a remarkable three-dimensional effect. This huge space depicts the huge mass of people as well as many individual fates and humanitarian acts. Edouard Castres, who produced the painting, was an “embedded” artist in a sense as he accompanied the army as a Red Cross volunteer.
Duration: < 1 hour
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318 reviews
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WatchFox
Bern, Switzerland561 contributions
Jul 2023
Worth seeing it. A unique and great experience, especially when you find out more about the person that painted it.
My tipp:
Don't just go and see but find out about the story behind the panarama painting and hits creator.
My tipp:
Don't just go and see but find out about the story behind the panarama painting and hits creator.
Written July 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff K
Pittsburgh, PA2,212 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
The panorama is quite impressive. I was surprised to subsequently learn that it had originally been about one-third taller.
There is an audio story that plays over a PA system in several different languages. We lucked out as the English version came on within 2-3 minutes of our arrival. The audio was helpful as it helped to put the Panorama scenes in better context. It did not explain anything about the war that caused the chaotic scenes, however. That seems like an obvious oversight that could have been easily covered via the audio or signage.
Admission is free with a Swiss Travel Pass.
There is an audio story that plays over a PA system in several different languages. We lucked out as the English version came on within 2-3 minutes of our arrival. The audio was helpful as it helped to put the Panorama scenes in better context. It did not explain anything about the war that caused the chaotic scenes, however. That seems like an obvious oversight that could have been easily covered via the audio or signage.
Admission is free with a Swiss Travel Pass.
Written September 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
t H
9 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
The large painting was interesting from historical view. There were several thought provoking vignette films on boundaries. This was included in my swiss travel pass, seen on rainy day. I would not have paid 15chf to do this.
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sylvain G.
Lugrin, France194 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
This is a depiction of what was closest to movies before movies existed... I found it very instructive, both on the subject depicted (the French army fleeing after the 1870 war) and on this art/instruction/entertainment concept that existed in the 19th century.
Written September 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tremont44113
Athens, Greece33 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
So I’ve always been a bit confused about Prussia. I remember it from my Western Civ classes, but it’s not something your average American can tell you much about. Is it pre-Germany Germany? Is it Russia (sounds like Russia)? Is it Poland? Sure looks like it on the map - did they combine Poland and Russia to make Prussia and force everyone to speak German?
I suppose you can look this stuff up if you’d like, but I will try and summarize and explain how this relates to Luzern. Prussia was won of those shape-shifting countries that did in fact cover a lot of Northern Europe in the 1700’s. Its most famous leader was Frederick the Great, who you can think of as a German Napoleon. He was enlightened and artistic, but really became good and conquering lands with his brilliant military strategies. His biggest rival was of course the Holy Roman Empire which was neither holy nor Roman, but centered in Vienna - and these guys also spoke German.
Okay, before I lose you, let’s fast-forward 100 years to the Franco-Prussian War where the Prussians have become part of a German Confederation led by Otto von Bismarck who provokes a war with France, so he can united everyone (not Austria - he wasn't Hitler for god’s sake) into Germany. And if there was one thing German speaking couldn’t stand, it was the French.
So Germany kicks France’s butt (they were led by Napoleon III by the way) in this war which led to Germany being the main continental power and revolutionizing the way people would approach warfare. But how does Switzerland come into play?
We would have to focus on the French General Bourbaki who was part of the losing side of that butt kicking. He took his bloodied horses and troops into neutral Switzerland where they voluntarily disarmed themselves, were nursed back to health for about six weeks while the war ended, and the Swiss merrily sent them back to France. Bourbaki actually tried to kill himself out of humiliation, but the bullet flattened against his skull instead of penetrating it and killing. I guess he should have used German bullets.
Now enter Édouard Castres who was a Swiss volunteer at this event but also a skilled painter. In the middle of Luzern, one can see his massive and moving panorama of these events: dead horses, collected rifles all stacked up, and Swiss citizens donning the famous red cross tending to bloodied French soldiers. The painting itself is so massive that it accounts for the only piece in the museum, although there is a film to watch and an explanation of how this event set the basis for treatment of prisoners of war.
And I had walked into the museum not really knowing any of this, so I guess travel can be educational at times, but none of it really made sense until I finally looked up some facts on Prussia.
I suppose you can look this stuff up if you’d like, but I will try and summarize and explain how this relates to Luzern. Prussia was won of those shape-shifting countries that did in fact cover a lot of Northern Europe in the 1700’s. Its most famous leader was Frederick the Great, who you can think of as a German Napoleon. He was enlightened and artistic, but really became good and conquering lands with his brilliant military strategies. His biggest rival was of course the Holy Roman Empire which was neither holy nor Roman, but centered in Vienna - and these guys also spoke German.
Okay, before I lose you, let’s fast-forward 100 years to the Franco-Prussian War where the Prussians have become part of a German Confederation led by Otto von Bismarck who provokes a war with France, so he can united everyone (not Austria - he wasn't Hitler for god’s sake) into Germany. And if there was one thing German speaking couldn’t stand, it was the French.
So Germany kicks France’s butt (they were led by Napoleon III by the way) in this war which led to Germany being the main continental power and revolutionizing the way people would approach warfare. But how does Switzerland come into play?
We would have to focus on the French General Bourbaki who was part of the losing side of that butt kicking. He took his bloodied horses and troops into neutral Switzerland where they voluntarily disarmed themselves, were nursed back to health for about six weeks while the war ended, and the Swiss merrily sent them back to France. Bourbaki actually tried to kill himself out of humiliation, but the bullet flattened against his skull instead of penetrating it and killing. I guess he should have used German bullets.
Now enter Édouard Castres who was a Swiss volunteer at this event but also a skilled painter. In the middle of Luzern, one can see his massive and moving panorama of these events: dead horses, collected rifles all stacked up, and Swiss citizens donning the famous red cross tending to bloodied French soldiers. The painting itself is so massive that it accounts for the only piece in the museum, although there is a film to watch and an explanation of how this event set the basis for treatment of prisoners of war.
And I had walked into the museum not really knowing any of this, so I guess travel can be educational at times, but none of it really made sense until I finally looked up some facts on Prussia.
Written July 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marty Bielicki
Stuart, FL15,478 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
Not many people know about the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. One of the famous stories to come out at that time was Switzerland’s humanitarian act of providing refuge for General Bourbaki’s French Army from being captured by the Prussians. The Swiss and French are proud of each other’s relationship to one another.
Edouard Castries with a team of artists completed this panorama back in 1880. Housed first in Geneva, it was transferred to Lucerne back in 1889. In 1997 the people of Lucerne by eighty percent vote past legislation to build the current center for 27 million francs. The panorama reminds me of the Cyclorama at Gettysburg National park.
The Panorama building actually serves to function as a retail center, a library and even for the cinema. We were surprised to even see a restaurant and barber shop located in the dome’s center.
There are actually two levels of the Panorama. The first level is a video/slide presentation. There are also several artifacts of the campaign like General Bourbaki’s sword. Somehow we could never get out of the German language showing. We were not too impressed with this level.
The actual Panorama in the upper level is spectacular. It is designed as a 3-D presentation with life-size figures in front of the actual painting. We could feel us being transformed back to 1871.
Visiting Bourbaki Panorama is something we would normally not do. Having the Swiss Travel pass gave us the opportunity to see this wonderful piece of Swiss/French history. The painting is impressive.
Not far away is the majestic cliff carving of the “Lion of Lucerne,” which is a “must do” activity. You have not seen Lucerne until you see the "Lion of Lucerne."
If you found this review helpful in any way, please press “LIKE” to let me know.
Edouard Castries with a team of artists completed this panorama back in 1880. Housed first in Geneva, it was transferred to Lucerne back in 1889. In 1997 the people of Lucerne by eighty percent vote past legislation to build the current center for 27 million francs. The panorama reminds me of the Cyclorama at Gettysburg National park.
The Panorama building actually serves to function as a retail center, a library and even for the cinema. We were surprised to even see a restaurant and barber shop located in the dome’s center.
There are actually two levels of the Panorama. The first level is a video/slide presentation. There are also several artifacts of the campaign like General Bourbaki’s sword. Somehow we could never get out of the German language showing. We were not too impressed with this level.
The actual Panorama in the upper level is spectacular. It is designed as a 3-D presentation with life-size figures in front of the actual painting. We could feel us being transformed back to 1871.
Visiting Bourbaki Panorama is something we would normally not do. Having the Swiss Travel pass gave us the opportunity to see this wonderful piece of Swiss/French history. The painting is impressive.
Not far away is the majestic cliff carving of the “Lion of Lucerne,” which is a “must do” activity. You have not seen Lucerne until you see the "Lion of Lucerne."
If you found this review helpful in any way, please press “LIKE” to let me know.
Written July 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate E
Kamakura, Japan6 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
The Panorama is a large mural painted in the 19th century related to the German-French
War of 1870-1871. It is not interesting from an artistic perspective. There is an audio
presentation accompanying it that attempts to dramatically reproduce the feelings of the
people at the time, but it rather overdoes it, resulting in a confusing array of various voices.
My daughter and I enjoyed everything we saw and did in our nine-day trip around Switzerland other than this. Lucerne is beautiful -- there are many other better things to do.
War of 1870-1871. It is not interesting from an artistic perspective. There is an audio
presentation accompanying it that attempts to dramatically reproduce the feelings of the
people at the time, but it rather overdoes it, resulting in a confusing array of various voices.
My daughter and I enjoyed everything we saw and did in our nine-day trip around Switzerland other than this. Lucerne is beautiful -- there are many other better things to do.
Written January 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grotbags
london407 contributions
Nov 2019
We really enjoyed the panorama it highlighted a period of history that we were unfamiliar with it must have been an amazing spectacle for the original viewers
Written November 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cfamja
East Windsor, NJ78 contributions
May 2019
We went to see the Bourbaki Panorama on a rainy day in Lucerne. The panorama, which depicts the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1, is an artistic marvel. The figures placed in front of the panorama truly bring this historic period to life, and the headphones provide additional details about the different scenes in the panorama. We would definitely recommend including this attraction in your itinerary.
Written September 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roshni S
54 contributions
Apr 2019 • Business
A lifelike and mind boggling painting of horses, soldiers and civilians with an interesting war story is the centrepiece of attraction, though there is a lovely cafe and ongoing exhibitions. It is a place one can spend hours .
Written May 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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