Painted by Geneva born artist Edouard Castres in 1881, the Bourbaki Panorama is a timeless piece of art that immortalizes one of the defining moments of the Franco-Prussian war from 1870-1871. The Bourbaki Panorama offers visitors a glimpse into the deplorable conditions and consequences of war, and poignantly depicts a humanistic take on the historical events in the winter of 1871 – defeated soldiers from the French army of General Bourbaki deposit their firearms and seek refuge on neutral ground in Switzerland as an act of solidarity by the Swiss.

History buffs can learn more about the unique story behind the painting and ponder about the vestiges of war through a permanent exhibition situated close to this renowned large-scale attraction. As one of Switzerland’s most famous attractions over the past 130 years and one of the last preserved giant panoramic paintings of the 19th-century, the Bourbaki Panorama is an attraction that should not be missed when exploring the lovely city of Lucerne.