Saturday, 1 August 2026 from 8.30am to 4.30pm
Open day on 1 August – Let’s celebrate Switzerland!
Join us for a special open day at the Parliament Building. Both of the Council chambers, the lobby and the domed hall will all be freely accessible, along with the Federal Council chamber in the west wing of the Federal Palace.
Admission at the visitors' entrance and north entrance until 3.30pm
Please allow sufficient time for security checks. There may be queues at peak times.
Persons over the age of 16 and children under the age of 16 not accompanied by an adult will be subject to an identity check and must present official ID to security staff.
Free Admission
Programme
National Council chamber
In dialogue with the Council presidents
Pierre-André Page, President of the National Council, and Stefan Engler, President of the Council of States, answer visitors’ questions.
Moderator: Nicoletta Cimmino
Simultaneous interpreting will be available in German, French and Italian.
11.15am to 12 noon
Council of States chamber
Council business in the small chamber
Insights from Stefan Engler, President of the Council of States.
10.30 to 11am
Explore the Parliament Building
What are the parliamentary debates like, and what is there to discover in the Council chambers?
Members of the visitor services team provide answers.
Duration: approx. 20 minutes
National Council chamber
German 9am / 1pm / 3pm / 4pm
French 10am / 2pm / 4pm
Italian 2pm
Council of States chamber
German 12 noon / 1.30pm
French 12.30pm / 3.30pm
Italian 12.30pm
Folk music from Fribourg
Enjoy the sounds of Quatuor cuivre Coriolis, a brass ensemble from the National Council president’s home canton.
Performances last about 20 minutes
National Council chamber 11am / 3.30pm
Council of States chamber 9.30am / 2.30pm
Explore the Federal Council’s meeting room
Chalet style: an exclusive look inside the Federal Council’s meeting and reception rooms in the Federal Palace West.
Pose in front of the Swiss flag
Capture your visit with a souvenir photo taken in the heart of the Federal Palace.
Colour a picture of Wilhelm Tell
The children’s stand offers activities for our littlest visitors.
Look for letters
Go on a journey of discovery – find the magic word and win a small souvenir.
Don’t go hungry!
Enjoy some tasty treats in the Zeitungszimmer cafeteria. There’s also an apple juice bar for kids.
Put on your headphones
Take a self-guided audio tour of the Parliament Building and the surrounding federal institutions in Bern.
We are looking forward to your visit!
Subject to change.