Neuchâtel, Switzerland
The Natural History Museum, where Piaget first gained experience with mollusks.
Piaget was born in Neuchâtel in 1896, and resided here until 1918, when he was granted the Doctorate degree in the natural sciences from the University of Neuchâtel. It was during his high school years that he served as voluntary laboratory assistant to the director of the natural history museum. By 1930, he had published about 25 papers on mollusks and related zoological topics.
Natural History Museum, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland
The Piaget Archives.
In 1921, Piaget was offered the position of Director of Studies at the Institut J. J. Rousseau at the University of Geneva. He remained associated with Geneva and the Institut, either in full-time or part-time status, for the remainder of his long career. The Piaget Archives are now located at 40 Boulevard du Pont d’Arve, Geneva, in the new Uni-Mail megastructure.
The Archives may easily be reached from Geneva's rail station. By bus, board line #4 at entrance to station. Exit bus at the 6th stop. By foot, it is about a 25-minute walk from the station. Proceed westward along Blvd James Fazy; turn left onto Blvd Georges Favon. Keep to the right of the green Plaine de Plainpalais on Ave du Mail. At southern end of Plaine de Plainpalais, walk right onto Blvd du Pont D'Arve to the megastructure at #40.
Uni-Mail #40, Home of Piaget Archives
Enter #40. Walk past the dining area to stairway to second floor, ascending on the right . At top of stairs, turn to right and enter the library. Ask here for assistance.
Larger Than Life Image, Entrance to Archives
A View Inside the Piaget Archives, Geneva, Switzerland
The Archives consist of a large shelving room, a smaller conference/shelving room, and office space. Piaget's handwritten manuscripts are kept under lock in the conference room. By arrangement, one may view the original works. On one side of the conference room, shelves are devoted to both the Piaget library and the Inhelder library (their personal libraries).
One goal of the Archives is to assemble not only all of Piaget’s original works, but also all secondary sources that cite Piaget. Curious, I recalled my one ancient article that cited Piaget; and sure enough, a copy of it was neatly filed away! The Archives serve as the primary repository of Piaget’s works, as well as providing additional functions for the scientific community.
I found the staff associated with the Archives most gracious and helpful. From initial email contact with the Archives, through on-site discussions, all were most welcoming and informative.
Piaget’s Gravesite.
Piaget died in Geneva in 1980. His grave marker, and that of his wife, Valentine Chatenay, can be located in the Cimetière des Plainpalais, on the Rue de Rois. I was told that this cemetery is reserved for Genevan dignitaries. Bus #1 stops at this location on its return from a long meander through the city. If traveling by bus from rail station, either line #1 or #4 will do. Exit outbound bus soon after it crosses the River (Rhone). Continue to cemetery on foot. By foot, follow the same initial route as if walking to the Piaget Archives. On Blvd. Georges Favon, turn right into Rue de la Synagogue. Cemetery is a few short blocks straight ahead.
The grave marker consists of a few small stones and plants, with no name indicated. It is numbered 395, at coordinates I-3, of the cemetery plot plan. Consult the information sheet at the office entrance to the cemetery on rue des Rois for location of the marker. The stones are a wonderful understatement of the importance of the man and his ideas.
The Piagets’ simple gravemarker, Cimetière des Plainpalais, Geneva, Switzerland
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