About Lausanne
Lausanne, the capital of the canton of Vaud, is a vibrant city nestled on the northern shore of Lake Geneva. Known for its stunning location on three hills surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes, the city offers panoramic views of the lake and the Savoy Alps. Lausanne is the fourth-largest city in Switzerland, with a population of around 140,000 residents.
The city is a dynamic blend of a bustling commercial center and a charming holiday destination. It is home to the International Olympic Committee since 1914, earning it the title of the “Olympic Capital.” The city boasts a rich cultural scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and the world-renowned Béjart Ballet.
Lausanne’s old town is dominated by the Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, considered Switzerland’s most impressive piece of early Gothic architecture. The cathedral area, along with the picturesque waterfront district of Ouchy, offers a mix of historical charm and modern leisure facilities. Ouchy, with its lakeside promenade, luxury hotels, and the Olympic Museum, is a popular spot for both tourists and locals.
The city is well-connected, with an efficient public transport system including a unique rubber-tired metro, the first of its kind in Switzerland, making it easy to navigate the city’s steep terrain. Lausanne is also a hub for day trips to nearby attractions like the medieval Château de Chillon, the terraced vineyards of Lavaux (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the charming towns of Montreux and Vevey.
For those interested in culinary delights, Lausanne offers a range of gastronomic experiences, from traditional Swiss dishes to high-end dining. The local specialty, “Papet Vaudois” (cabbage-filled sausage with leek gratin), is a must-try. The city also has a rich wine culture, with vineyards producing excellent wines in the nearby regions of Valais, Vaud, and Geneva.
Top Lausanne Landmarks
Olympic museum
The Olympic Museum (French: Musée olympique) in Lausanne, Switzerland houses permanent and temporary exhibits relating to sport and the Olympic movement. With more than 10,000 artifacts, the museum is the largest archive of Olympic Games memorabilia in the world.
Musée romain de Lausanne Vidy
A stone’s throw from the lake, in the leafy setting of a Mediterranean-style garden, the Musée Romain contains the remains of a rich ancient residence and, in its permanent exhibition, presents the archaeological material discovered at the Lousonna site. A short walk from the museum, the archaeological trail offers the ideal complement to the museum visit for those wishing to discover the ruins of the ancient town centre, the forum.
Palais de Rumine
The palais de Rumine is a late 19th-century building in Florentine Renaissance style at the heart of Lausanne. It was the first home of the University of Lausanne before it was moved to its current location by the lake in the 1980’s. The palais de Rumine now hosts the Cantonal Museum of Archeology and History (MCAH), the Cantonal Museum of Natural Sciences (Naturéum), and the site of the Bibliothèque cantonale et universitaire – Lausanne (BCU Lausanne) dedicated to the general public.
Plateforme 10
The Plateforme 10 site, right next to Lausanne main train station, is home to 3 museums, mudac, Photo Elysée, and MCBA, as well as the collections of two foundations, Toms Pauli and Félix Vallotton. But Plateforme 10 is also a real Lausanne neighbourhood with its welcoming esplanade which boasts restaurants, terraces, book- and giftshops, and arcades.
Sauvabelin Park
On the hills above Lausanne, Sauvabelin Park is a popular destination with families and nature lovers close to the city. With farm and forest animals, walks trips with panoramic views over the city and Lake Geneva, it has many attractions to offer visitors, among which the Tower of Sauvabelin, a wooden tower built in 2003. It offers 360° views open up multiple vistas from its 35-metre-high top: you can view the Lausanne conurbation, Lake Geneva and the three geographic regions of Switzerland – the Alps, the Jura and the Plateau.
La Cité
La Cité is the historical centre of Lausanne. The Cathedral, the Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts, the Lausanne Museum of History, the Grand Council of Vaud (regional parliament), and the Château Saint-Maire are situated in this district. The area is full of typical small bistros and craft shops.
Lavaux
The 800 hectares of terraced vineyards of Lavaux have been accorded UNESCO World-Heritage listing. The steep terraced vineyards benefit from three-fold warmth from solar, thermal and radiation sources: directly from the sun, mirrored reflections from Lake Geneva and that of heat stored in the many stone walls in the surroundings. No wonder that this is the source of Switzerland’s Grand Crus in wine. A footpath of 32 km in length leads from Lausanne-Ouchy to Chillon Castle
Going out in Lausanne
Lausanne’s restaurant and bar scene comes alive in the summer, offering a delightful mix of culinary experiences and vibrant nightlife. The city boasts a variety of outdoor terraces, waterfront eateries, and rooftop bars, providing stunning views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alps. From gourmet dining at Michelin-starred restaurants to casual bites at local bistros, there is something to suit every palate. The Ouchy waterfront, lined with cafes and ice cream parlours, are perfect for enjoying the warm weather. Additionally, the city centre lively bar scene, featuring everything from sophisticated cocktail lounges to laid-back pubs, ensures that evenings are just as enjoyable as the sunlit days.
To get a drink and some finger food:
- The Lacustre, “the coolest lakeside bar in Switzerland”, for cocktails and pizzas at sunset;
- Jetée de la Compagnie, for wine and tapas right by the lake, with direct access to the water;
- Les Jardins, for drinks and snacks in a garden at the foot of Lausanne’s iconic cathedral;
- The Great Escape, for live sports, English beer and a big terrasse at the heart of the city, one of the locals’ favourite bars.
For dining in the city:
- Le Vaudois or L’évêché, for traditional Swiss dishes;
- Brasserie de Montbenon, for traditional high-quality cuisine in a 1908 building graced with an 8-meter ceiling and a breath-taking view of Lake Geneva;
For more:
- The Flon district is one of Lausanne’s central districts, with the main metro station (Lausanne-Flon), restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and cultural events.
- Ouchy is a port and a popular lakeside resort south of the centre of Lausanne in Switzerland, at the edge of Lake Geneva. The incredible views of the lake and the Alps, and the cooler air in summer have made Ouchy a popular place especially in the summer months. It’s a big cluster of hotels and restaurants and is served by Lausanne Metro Line 2 (Ouchy-Olympique).