Auditoire de Calvin, Geneva 
West facade and entrance to the Auditoire de Calvin, Geneva.
Interior looking east.
Interior looking west.
View across the nave, with old organ.
Times of services for three Reformed communities.
Location map and aerial view of Auditoire de Calvin. For a larger interactive view, see our Geneva Map.
At the the Auditoire de Calvin in Geneva, the Scottish reformer John Knox preached from 1556 to 1559 and the French-born reformer John Calvin founded a Christian academy in 1559.
History
The Auditoire is a simple but elegant 13th-century Gothic chapel built over a 5th-century church. At the Swiss Reformation it became a Protestant lecture hall, where Knox preached and Calvin taught missionaries his doctrines. He also encouraged Protestant refugees from around Europe to hold services at the chapel in their native English, Italian, Spanish, German, and Dutch.
What to See
Located right next door to the Geneva Cathedral, it couldn't be more convenient to stop by the Oratory, and it is worth a look. The Gothic chapel is an attractive small space, with a sense of openness due to its single nave.
The side chapels have informative placards and collages commemorating John Calvin and showing the spread and impact of the Reformation movement in Geneva.
The Auditoire is still used by the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian), the Dutch Reformed Community, and the Waldensian Church of Italy. English-speakers may wish to join the Church of Scotland's Sunday service at 11am.
Fundraising is currently underway to replace the organ in the Auditoire de Calvin; see the association's website for more information.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Auditoire de Calvin; Calvin's Oratory; John Knox Chapel |
| Location: | Geneva, Canton Geneva, Switzerland |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Original/Primary: Catholic Current/Secondary: Reformed |
| Categories: | Churches; Historical Sites |
| Status: | active |
| Date: | Built 13th century; Calvin's academy founded in 1559 |
| Architecture: | Gothic |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 46.200816° N, 6.148417° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Address: | 1 pl. de la Taconnerie, Geneva, Switzerland |
| Opening hours: | Mon-Sat 10-noon and 2-5 |
| Cost: | Free |
| Photography: | Permitted |
| Services: | Church of Scotland: Sundays 11am |
Travel Resources
- Geneva Map - our detailed interactive map of Geneva, plus hand-picked links to more
- Geneva Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Geneva Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Geneva
- Geneva Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Personal visit (December 2006).
- Fodor's Switzerland 2005.
Last updated on October 8, 2009.
