Lausanne
Fly here
Olympic capital, terraced above Lake Geneva.
From the basket
Lausanne does not lie flat: it climbs. From the balloon the city rises in steps from the port of Ouchy, on the shore of Lake Geneva, up to the forests of the Jorat, more than five hundred metres higher. Its heart rests on three hills, separated by valleys that bridges span, and the cathedral rules over the whole from the highest of them, the Cité.
The lake spreads out below, and on the far shore the Alps of Savoy rise like scenery set along the bank. To the east, the terraced vineyards of Lavaux run down to the water. Between the districts, a driverless metro, the first in Switzerland, opened in 2008, climbs and plunges along the slope in a few minutes.
Notre-Dame Cathedral received its consecration in 1275, with Pope Gregory X and Emperor Rudolf of Habsburg looking on. For centuries its bishops governed a small principality, between two rivers, the Venoge to the west and the Veveyse to the east.
Let the wind carry you from the Cité to the quays of Ouchy, going down the city step by step.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Lausanne” (in French).
All around
- Lake Geneva, 1 km to the south-west
- Montreux, 24 km to the south-east
- Mont Tendre, 1679 m, 26 km to the west
To discover around Lausanne
Lausanne Cathedral
Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral in Lausanne's Old Town. The Gothic building from the 13th century impresses with its ornate stained glass windows, the painted portal and the view of Lake Geneva from the tower.
Lake Geneva Cruises
Boat cruising on Central Europe’s largest inland lake every which way. Passengers can embark and disembark on the Swiss as well as the French side of the lake.
Vineyard walks in the canton of Vaud
The traditional art of viticulture meets modern technology: using your smartphone and the free Vaude:Guide app, you can experience the region’s winegrowing areas in an interactive way.
Old town: Place de la Palud and Rue de Bourg
Lausanne has the attractions of a metropolis, but without the size.
Arbre au Flon
Palais de Rumine & Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts
The palace on the edge of Lausanne's Old Town, just around the corner from the cathedral, is an architectural masterpiece, a showcase of the Florentine Renaissance – and a place full of charm.
Saint-François Church
Shopping: Quartier du Flon
Set in the heart of Lausanne, the Flon area has evolved in recent years into a modern and innovative district which pulsates both day and night.
Source: Switzerland Tourism — myswitzerland.com, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.