Albert Thomas monument in Geneva

The Albert Thomas Monument in Geneva rises on Place Albert-Thomas, on rue de Lausanne, directly across from the Centre William Rappard. Geneva unveiled this stone sculpture in 1937 to honour the first director of the International Labour Office. It makes an easy stop on a walk through the city's international district.

Who was Albert Thomas, and why is he commemorated here?

Born in Champigny-sur-Marne in 1878, Thomas died in 1932. He led the International Labour Office, the secretariat of the International Labour Organization (ILO), from its earliest years in Geneva. The building across the street was put up between 1923 and 1926 to house the Office. Today it is the Centre William Rappard, home to the World Trade Organization. The monument therefore stands right where Thomas built his institution.

What will you see?

The sculptor was Paul Landowski, a French artist who also worked on Geneva's Reformation Wall. The monument was inaugurated on 20 June 1937. Four standing workers crown the structure. They stand for the four continents and for different trades, a nod to the worldwide reach of the ILO's mission. Explanatory reliefs decorate the sides of the base, and the stone carries quotations from Thomas's speeches, including his conviction that labour is not a commodity.

This is not a conventional portrait bust. Landowski chose to show working people, the cause Thomas championed, rather than the man himself. Walk all the way around, since each face of the base adds a different piece of the message.

How do you get there, and how long do you need?

The square sits on rue de Lausanne, a main road running from central Geneva toward the lake and the international quarter. You can walk over from the Parc Ariana and Palais des Nations side or take public transport toward rue de Lausanne. Allow 10 to 15 minutes to look at the monument. It is free to visit, as it stands in the open on a public square.

When is the best time to visit?

Daytime, in good light, which brings out the reliefs and inscriptions. Spring and summer suit a longer stroll around the area. Access to the inside of the Centre William Rappard follows separate rules, so check the WTO website first if you want to go in.

Frequently asked questions

Who made the Albert Thomas monument in Geneva? Paul Landowski, a French sculptor. He also contributed to Geneva's Reformation Wall, completed in 1917 with Henri Bouchard.

When was it unveiled? On 20 June 1937, five years after Thomas died.

What does the sculpture show? Four standing workers from four continents. The base carries reliefs and quotations from Thomas's speeches.

Is there an entrance fee? No. The monument stands on a public square on rue de Lausanne and can be viewed at any time.