Bâtiment des Forces Motrices

Place des Volontaires 2, 1204 Genève, Suisse

The Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, also known as the BFM, is a former hydroelectric power station that has been transformed into a world-class concert and performance venue in the heart of Geneva.

The building was constructed in the early 20th century by architect Adolphe Rüfli and was used to generate electricity for the city until 1960. In the late 1980s, the city of Geneva decided to renovate the building and transform it into a cultural center. After a major renovation that lasted several years, the BFM reopened in 1997 as a state-of-the-art performance venue.

The building's exterior is a stunning example of industrial architecture, with its red brick façade and towering smokestacks. Inside, the main performance hall is a soaring space with a high ceiling, exposed brick walls, and a stage that can be configured in a variety of ways to accommodate different types of performances. The hall has excellent acoustics, making it one of the best conference venues in the region.

The building's interior design is a blend of industrial and modern styles, with sleek lines and minimalist décor that highlight the building's history and function. Today, the BFM is one of the premier cultural destinations in Geneva, hosting a wide range of events including classical and contemporary music concerts, theater performances and conference

Direction

How to get there

CAR

We would advise you to come by public transport as parking in the city center can be expensive and difficult to find, especially during peak times. If you're staying in a hotel in the city center, it may be more convenient to leave your car at the hotel and take public transportation to the venue.

If you're coming from outside Geneva, take the A1 motorway and follow the signs for Geneva Center. Once you reach the city center, follow signs for "Parking de la Plaine" or "Parking Rive," which are two of the closest public parking options to the venue.

Once you've parked your car, you can walk to the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices from the parking garage. The venue is located in the Plainpalais neighborhood, so you can use your GPS or a map to navigate your way there.

Overall, driving to the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices is an option, but it's important to be prepared for traffic and parking challenges. If possible, consider taking public transportation or walking to the venue instead.

TRAIN

The Bâtiment des Forces Motrices is conveniently located near the main train stations in Geneva.

If you're coming from outside the city, the easiest way to get there is by taking a train to the Geneva main train station, called "Gare Cornavin."

From there, you can take a tram or bus to the venue.

To get to the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices from Gare Cornavin, exit the station and look for the tram stop "Gare Cornavin." Take tram number 14 in the direction of "P+R Bernex" and get off at the "Stand" stop. From there, it's just a short walk to the venue.

Alternatively, you can take bus number 1 in the direction of "Thônex, Hôpital Trois-Chêne" and get off at the "Stand".

MORE INFORMATION : https://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

PLANE

If you're arriving at Geneva International Airport and want to get to the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, you have a few options. The easiest way to get there is by taking a taxi, but you can also take public transportation.

If you choose to take public transportation, the first thing you'll need to do is get to the city center. To do this, you can take the train from the airport to Geneva's main train station, called "Gare Cornavin." Trains run regularly between the airport and the train station, so you shouldn't have to wait long for your train.

Alternatively, you can take bus number 1 in the direction of "Thônex, Hôpital Trois-Chêne" and get off at the "Stand".