Lausanne is a city in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and the capital and biggest city of the canton of Vaud. French, German and Italian, respectively, are the most widely spoken languages.
The city is situated on the shores ofscenic Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Switzerland and one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe. Surrounded by the picturesque Alps, as well as numerous charming resorts, the lake is certainly a very beautiful and romantic place to be.
Lausanne is strongly related to international sport and is being recognized as the "Olympic capital" since 1994. The city hosts the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and some 55 international sports associations.
Lausanne also houses the Olympic Museum (Musee Olympique) which comprehensively presents the history of the Olympic Games. In a very informative way you can learn interesting facts about the Olympic disciplines, historic performances, and Olympic champions and athletes. The museum is located on Lake Geneva in a beautiful building with a nice panorama.
There are plenty of options to choose from how to spend your time in Lausanne:
excursions on the lake or in the near vineyard slopes
exploring the Old town
going to the park or markets
visiting museums and churches
sporting and cultural activities
shopping and nights out
One of the most remarkable city's attractions is Cathedrale de Lausanne, located at the heart of the Old town. The majestic Cathedral overlooks the city and is a great example of a beautiful Gothic art monument in Europe. It attracts more than 400,000 visitors every year.
Palud Square is one of the town’s central locations. In the center of the square is the town’s oldest fountain, adorned with a statue representing justice. Close by, a clock presents the history of Vaud in animated scenes every hour from 9:00 to 19:00.
The area around Palud square is completely pedestrianized and is filled with cafes, boutiques and elegant shops. Here you will also find the 17th-century Town Hall, with its typically Vaudois roof, arcades and Renaissance façade decorated with two copper gargoyles in the form of dragons. Today, it is used for municipal offices.
Flon is a district known as the modern part of Lausanne. It’s the town’s architectural success. The area is filled with a wide array of restaurants, bars, clubs, boutiques, cinemas, bowling and exhibition spaces.
Le Port d'Ouchy is an ideal place for weekend walks and relaxation in the open air. A great place for jogging and skateboarding. The area offers a beautiful view of the lake and the Alps as well as nice playgrounds for children.
Another great option to spend your time in Lausanne is to take a walk through some of the most beautiful scenery in Switzerland: the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyard terraces.
Stretching for about 30 km, from Lausanne-Ouchy to Chillon Castle in Montreux, the 800 hectares of the terraced wine-growing slopes of Lavaux are crisscrossed with marked trails offering stunning views over Lake Geneva and the Alps.
The Lavaux Express is an enchanting little train on wheels that carries passengers through the scenic vineyard slopes. Wine tourism enthusiasts can combine the ride with wine tastings or a walk through the vines.
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