Exercices de l'Arquebuse et de la Navigation

The Exercices de l'Arquebuse et de la Navigation (EAN), commonly branded Arquebuse Genève, is a Swiss sport-shooting society based in Geneva. Its roots reach back to the Middle Ages, when Geneva's citizens organised themselves into companies of arquebusiers and crossbowmen to defend the city. Over the centuries, as military needs faded, these corps evolved into a sporting and civic association. The modern EAN was created in 1856 through the merger of the Exercice de l'Arquebuse, whose origins likely predate 1474, and the Exercice de la Navigation, founded around the mid-17th century by boatmen at the Molard harbour. The Grand Council of Geneva ratified the merger by law on 14 May 1856, and the official act was signed on 23 April 1858. Today the EAN operates a shooting range at St-Georges in Petit-Lancy, equipped for 300 m rifle, 50 m small-bore rifle and pistol, 25 m pistol, and 10 m air pistol and rifle, with electronic SIUS targets meeting ISSF standards. It also maintains the Hôtel de l'Arquebuse on Rue du Stand in Geneva, a historic building inaugurated in 1900 that houses meeting rooms, a bar, and the society's museums. The society competes under the name Arquebuse Genève and is affiliated with the Swiss Sport Shooting Federation (FST) and the Arquebusiers de Suisse (Verband Schweizer Vorderladerschützen). Its motto is "PRO DEO ET PATRIA". The EAN presents itself as an institution balancing heritage and modernity, offering members a framework that combines sporting rigour, camaraderie, and respect for rules. It actively contributes to local associative life and maintains a strong intergenerational link. Its museums, located at the Hôtel de l'Arquebuse and at the St-Georges farm in Petit-Lancy, preserve its historical memory and traditions.

The Exercices de l'Arquebuse et de la Navigation (EAN) trace their origins to medieval Geneva, where citizens organised into companies of arquebusiers and crossbowmen for the city's defence. The Exercice de l'Arquebuse likely existed before 1474, while the Exercice de la Navigation was founded around the mid-17th century by boatmen who gathered at the Port du Molard and held "tir à l'oiseau" (papegey) contests; the first known "king of shooting" was Abraham Gevray in 1677. The Navigation group later moved to Les Pâquis and built a hotel in 1723 on the site of today's Place de la Navigation; that building was sold in 1864 and demolished in 1923. On 4 November 1855, the Exercice de la Navigation agreed to merge into the Exercice de l'Arquebuse. The Grand Council of Geneva officialised the merger by law on 14 May 1856, creating the Société des Exercices réunis de l'Arquebuse et de la Navigation. State oversight was maintained, with the government charged with examining and approving the statutes. The official merger act was signed on 23 April 1858. At that time, the "exercices" were essentially militiamen training for Geneva's defence. The society's Hôtel de l'Arquebuse has a complex history. An earlier Hôtel de la Coulouvrenière, built in 1541 and restored in 1614, 1694, 1708, 1773, and 1778, was sold under French occupation (1781–1802) and later reacquired after a lawsuit. The decision to build a new hotel was taken on 8 May 1864, but disputes and votes delayed construction for 34 years. The old hotel was restored in 1878 with the inauguration of a Salle des Rois decorated with restored paintings of the kings. Construction of the current Hôtel de l'Arquebuse began in 1898 and was completed in December 1899; the building was inaugurated in 1900. It stands at the corner of Rue du Stand and Rue des Rois, the latter named in honour of the shooting kings. The St-Georges shooting range in Petit-Lancy was developed after the general assembly of 20 January 1878 approved the purchase of land. Work began in 1883, and the trenches and targets were finished by March 1884. The range building was inaugurated in 1895. Over time it was modernised and now offers 10 m, 25 m, 50 m, and 300 m facilities with electronic targets. The EAN remains active in Swiss sport shooting, affiliated with the FST and the Arquebusiers de Suisse, and continues to preserve its heritage through museums and ceremonies.

• 1923

  Old Navigation hotel demolished.

• 1900

  Hôtel de l'Arquebuse inaugurated.

• 1898

  Construction of current Hôtel de l'Arquebuse begins.

• 1895

  St-Georges range building inaugurated.

• 1884

  Trenches and targets completed in March.

• 1883

  Construction work begins on St-Georges range.

• 1878

  General assembly on 20 January approves purchase of land for St-Georges range; old hotel restored with Salle des Rois.

• 1864

  Decision to build a new hotel taken on 8 May; old Navigation hotel sold.

• 1858

  Official merger act signed on 23 April.

• 1856

  Grand Council of Geneva officialises merger by law on 14 May; EAN founded.

• 1855

  On 4 November, Exercice de la Navigation accepts merger into Exercice de l'Arquebuse.

• 1723

  Navigation group builds a hotel at Les Pâquis.

• 1677

  Abraham Gevray, first known 'king of shooting' of the Navigation group.

• 1474

  Exercice de l'Arquebuse origins likely predate this year.

A historic Geneva shooting society blending heritage and modern sport shooting, open to members and preserving centuries-old traditions.

• St-Georges shooting range

  Facilities for 300 m rifle, 50 m small-bore rifle and pistol, 25 m pistol, and 10 m air pistol/rifle with electronic SIUS targets.

• Hôtel de l'Arquebuse

  Historic building on Rue du Stand with meeting rooms, bar, and museums.

• Museums

  Collections at Hôtel de l'Arquebuse and St-Georges farm preserving the society's heritage.

1. 1Arquebuse Genève – Exercices de l'Arquebuse et de la Navigationarquebuse.ch
2. 2L'Histoire – Arquebuse Genèvearquebuse.ch
3. 3Wikidata: Exercices de l'Arquebuse et de la Navigationwikidata.org
4. 4Wikipédia: Exercices de l'Arquebuse et de la Navigationfr.wikipedia.org