Lausanne

Lausanne City Guide: What to See, Do, and Know

Lausanne climbs steeply from the shore of Lake Geneva to a Gothic cathedral on the hill, with the French Alps across the water. It is a university city with a young, relaxed atmosphere, the home of the International Olympic Committee, and the gateway to the Lavaux vineyard terraces, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Switzerland. Pack comfortable shoes: this is one of the hilliest cities in Europe. Plan one to two days, plus a day in Lavaux.

Top Things to See in Lausanne

Lausanne Cathedral

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, consecrated in the 13th century, is often described as the finest Gothic building in Switzerland. Climb the tower for a view over the rooftops and the lake. It also keeps one of Europe’s oldest living traditions: every night, a watchman calls out the hours from the tower between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., a custom that dates back to the 15th century.

The Old Town

Below the cathedral, the covered wooden Escaliers du Marché (Market Stairs) lead down to the Place de la Palud, the city’s prettiest square, with its town hall and a fountain. Twice a week, the streets around the Place de la Riponne and the Palud host a busy produce market. The grand Palais de Rumine on the Riponne houses several museums.

Ouchy and the Lakefront

Ouchy, the old fishing port at the bottom of the city, is where Lausanne relaxes. The tree-lined promenade runs along the lake with views across to the mountains of France, and it is the departure point for lake boats. The M2 metro links Ouchy with the centre and the station, climbing a gradient steep enough to make it one of the steepest metro lines in the world.

Sauvabelin

In the woods above the city, the Sauvabelin wooden tower offers a free panoramic view over Lausanne, the lake, and the Alps, and the small lake next to it is a pleasant picnic spot.

Museums in Lausanne

The Olympic Museum, in a park on the lakefront at Ouchy, tells the story of the Olympic Games with interactive exhibits, and its terrace café has one of the best views in the city. The Collection de l’Art Brut is a unique museum of art made by outsiders, including psychiatric patients and self-taught artists, founded on the collection of Jean Dubuffet. Plateforme 10, the arts district next to the main station, brings together the cantonal fine arts museum (MCBA), Photo Elysée, and the design museum mudac on one site.

Lavaux Vineyard Terraces

Just east of Lausanne, the Lavaux terraces step down to the lake for around 30 kilometres towards Vevey and Montreux. Built by monks from the 11th century, they have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The best way to see them is on foot: a marked trail runs through the vines between villages such as Lutry, Cully, Epesses, and Saint-Saphorin, with regional trains along the shore making it easy to walk one way and ride back. Stop at a wine cellar (caveau) to taste the local Chasselas white wine. Small tourist trains also run up through the vineyards in the warmer months.

Boat Trips on Lake Geneva

From Ouchy, the lake boats, including several historic Belle Époque paddle steamers, sail along the Swiss shore to Vevey, Montreux, and Chillon Castle, and across the lake to Évian-les-Bains in France, a crossing of about half an hour. Bring your passport or ID if you cross to France.

What to Eat in Lausanne

The canton of Vaud’s signature dish is papet vaudois, a comforting mix of leeks and potatoes served with a local cabbage sausage. Look for malakoffs, fried cheese fritters originally from the villages along the lake, and pair everything with a glass of Lavaux Chasselas. The student population keeps plenty of good-value cafés and bars going around the Flon district.

Events Worth Planning Around

The Festival de la Cité, a large free arts and music festival in the Old Town, takes place in summer. In late autumn and December, the city’s Christmas market and light festival brighten up the centre. In summer, the lakefront at Ouchy and Vidy is the place to be in the evenings.

Getting to and Around Lausanne

Lausanne is about 40 minutes by train from Geneva and a little longer from Geneva Airport, which is the nearest international airport. Direct trains also reach Montreux in about 20 minutes, Bern in just over an hour, and Zürich in just over two hours.

The metro and bus network handles the hills. Hotel guests receive the Lausanne Transport Card, which gives free use of public transport in the city for the length of the stay. For longer journeys, see our getting around Switzerland guide.

Where to Stay in Lausanne

Ouchy has the classic lakefront hotels and the most relaxed atmosphere. The area around the main station is the most practical, halfway between the lake and the Old Town and on the metro line. The Flon and the Old Town put you close to restaurants and nightlife. Lausanne is usually a little cheaper than Geneva, which makes it a good base for exploring the whole lake.

Day Trips from Lausanne

Montreux and Chillon Castle are the obvious choice, and the lakeside town of Vevey, home to the Charlie Chaplin museum at Chaplin’s World, is on the way. Geneva is 40 minutes by train, the Gruyère region with its castle and cheese dairy is an easy trip inland, and the Alpine resorts of the Vaud Alps are within reach for a mountain day.

How Many Days in Lausanne?

One day covers the cathedral, the Old Town, and the lakefront at Ouchy with the Olympic Museum. Add a second day for Lavaux, and a third for a boat trip to Montreux and Chillon. Lausanne fits well into a route along the French-speaking side of Switzerland, as described in our Swiss cities circuit.

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