A Little Escape into a World of Fantasy: Visiting The Little Prince Museum in Solothurn

We had gone to Solothurn that day for a completely different plan. But since my daughter and I weren’t quite ready to head home yet, I remembered seeing a post on Instagram about a newly opened museum dedicated to one of the world’s most famous literary characters—the Little Prince. And so we spontaneously stepped into the magnificent Palais Besenval and let ourselves be carried away for a moment into the realm of fantasy.

The Little Prince and His World

The Little Prince Museum in Solothurn is relatively new—it opened in the historic Besenval Palace in the city center in the fall of 2025. It was founded by Swiss collector Jean-Marc Probst, whose collection of editions of The Little Prince is among the most significant in the world. He received his first copy at the age of seventeen from a teacher, but the real beginning of his collection came during his student travels around the world. It was in a Tokyo bookstore that he came across a Japanese edition of The Little Prince. That was when the idea of collecting more and more translations was born. From then on, he began buying the book in every language he encountered during his travels. His personal enthusiasm thus gradually grew into an extraordinary collection and, ultimately, an entire museum.

And why The Little Prince?

The Little Prince is one of those books that seem unassuming at first glance but stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. It was first published in New York in 1943 and continues to resonate with children and adults around the world to this day. The story of the little prince from Asteroid B612, who leaves his rose and learns what is truly important in life during his journey, is poetic, gentle, and slightly philosophical. Perhaps that is precisely why this slim volume has become a global phenomenon, often cited as one of the most translated books in the world—and frequently even as the most translated book after the Bible.

Where is the museum located

The museum is housed in the historic Besenval Palace at Kronengasse 1, right on the banks of the Aare River. It’s less than a 10-minute walk from the train station (the museum is on the left just past the Kreuzackerbrücke bridge).

If you’re coming by car, you can use the Berntor or Baseltor parking garages.

Opening hours, admission, and guided tours:

The “Der Kleine Prinz und seine Welt” museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Thursdays until 8:00 p.m.

Admission for adults is 18 CHF; seniors and AHV/IV holders pay 15 CHF; children and students pay 8 CHF; children under 6 enter for free; and a family ticket costs 40 CHF.

The museum also offers guided tours on Tuesdays at 2:00 PM, Thursdays at 5:30 PM, and Saturdays at 11:00 AM. Space is limited, so it’s best to reserve in advance on their website. Admission for a guided tour is 28 CHF for adults and 18 CHF for children over 6 years old.

Our tour of the museum: step by step

First Hall: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The first hall is dedicated to the author himself, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and for me it was one of the most captivating parts of the entire exhibition because—I admit—I didn’t know much about his life. Just that he died in a plane crash in 1944 and his body was never found. Thanks to two screens where you can choose one of four languages, you’ll learn more about his childhood, his first dreams of flying, and how he became a pilot. Videos and exhibits also highlight his work as a mail pilot, his writing career, and the circumstances surrounding the creation of The Little Prince, which he wrote in 1942 while in exile in the U.S. The book was first published in New York in 1943. The atmosphere of this hall is further enhanced by models of the aircraft that Saint-Exupéry flew.

Second Hall: Immersing Yourself in the World of The Little Prince

In the next hall, you’ll fully immerse yourself in the world of The Little Prince. The exhibition here introduces the characters he meets along his journey. Through headphones, you can listen to further explanations of each character and their significance, which serve as subtle allegories for human traits, weaknesses, and behaviors.

Adjacent to this hall is a smaller, walk-through section dedicated to editions of The Little Prince in various dialects. Although it is a shorter section, it beautifully illustrates just how much of a global phenomenon this book has become. I was personally delighted—and I must admit I had no idea—when I discovered translations into Czech dialects, among them, such as the Haná dialect or the Krkonoše dialect.

The next room shows just how deeply The Little Prince has inspired the art world—from ballet and visual arts to other creative interpretations of his story. Here, too, there are interactive elements: visitors of all ages can use a quiz on touchscreen displays to test what they’ve learned in the previous rooms.

The Hall with the Collection of Editions

One of the most visually striking highlights of the entire tour is undoubtedly the hall housing the book collection. It features not only editions of The Little Prince in a wide variety of languages, formats, and sizes, but also books dedicated to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, his life, and his legacy. There are even curiosities such as miniature editions nearly the size of a thumb, which you can only read with a magnifying glass.

The stairs to the upper floor and a short film to conclude the tour

The stairs lead to the upper floor, where the tour slowly draws to a close. Here, visitors also learn more about the museum’s patron, the Swiss aviator and visionary Bertrand Piccard. The exhibition here also connects The Little Prince’s message to the theme of responsibility toward the world around us. The very end is reserved for a short film in the “Under the Stars” hall that recalls the book’s main ideas and concludes the entire visit in a calm, poetic, and somewhat touching way.

Summary

Although the museum is located on the first floor, it is wheelchair-accessible—you can take the elevator up to the floor.
The Besenval Palace houses a pleasant restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Aare River.
A visit to the museum is a nice way to spice up your trip to the city and takes about an hour.
I would recommend visiting the museum with older children (young readers).
The museum also features a souvenir shop.