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    Lausanne

    Switzerland

    Lausanne

    City

    Lausanne stretches in steep terraces from Lake Geneva up to the Gothic cathedral. The Olympic city on the shore in Ouchy, a lively old town and student life make it the youngest of the major Western Swiss cities.

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    9. Lausanne
    Lausanne stretches in steep terraces from Lake Geneva up to the Gothic cathedral. The Olympic city on the shore in Ouchy, a lively old town and student life make it the youngest of the major Western Swiss cities.
    Lausanne ist mit rund 140.000 Einwohnern die viertgrößte Stadt der Schweiz und zieht sich in steilen Terrassen vom Genfersee hinauf. Unten am Ufer liegt Ouchy mit Promenade, Schiffsanleger und dem Olympischen Museum, oben thront die gotische Kathedrale über der Altstadt. Dazwischen liegt das Flon, ein ehemaliges Lagerhausviertel, heute mit Läden, Bars und Clubs. Die Metro M2 überwindet den Höhenunterschied in wenigen Minuten, ohne sie wäre die Stadt für Besucher ziemlich anstrengend.

    Sights in Lausanne

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Olympic Museum
    Museum

    1Olympic Museum

    The museum on the Ouchy lakefront recounts the history of the Olympic Games from antiquity to today, featuring torches, medals, and interactive exhibits. The park in front, with sculptures and lake views, is freely accessible.
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    Notre-Dame Cathedral
    Church

    2Notre-Dame Cathedral

    Consecrated in 1275, the cathedral is Switzerland's most significant Gothic building. Highlights: its painted portal and 13th-century rose window. From the tower, survey city and lake. At night, a watchman still calls out the hours here.
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    Collection de l'Art Brut
    Museum

    3Collection de l'Art Brut

    The museum in the Château de Beaulieu was founded in 1976 following a donation by the painter Jean Dubuffet. It showcases works by self-taught artists, outsiders, and psychiatric patients – a singular collection rarely found elsewhere.
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    Platform 10
    Museum

    4Platform 10

    The Art District right next to the station brings together the cantonal art museum MCBA, the photography museum Photo Elysée, and the design museum mudac. Several exhibitions in one place, ideal for a rainy day.
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    Restaurants in Lausanne

    1

    The Old Lausanne

    Restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine in an old house directly below the Cathedral. Convenient for a meal after exploring the Old Town, with outdoor seating in summer.
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    2

    L'Impression Café & Restaurant

    Cafe and restaurant near the station and Platform 10, known for breakfast and brunch. Great for starting your day or a break between two museums.
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    Food & Drink in Lausanne

    Vaudois papet

    Vaudois papet

    Leeks and potatoes, slow-braised and served with a Saucisson vaudois, Vaud's national dish.

    Pork crackling pastry

    A flat, salty pastry with cracklings, typical for Vaud and good for apéro.

    Chasselas from the Lavaux

    The vineyards start right at the city limits, with many bars and bistros pouring local white wine.

    Culture in Lausanne

    Since 1915, Lausanne has been home to the International Olympic Committee and is therefore known as the Olympic Capital. Two major universities, the University and EPFL Lausanne, make it a young city.The Belfry WatchmanSince the Middle Ages, a watchman has called out the hours from the cathedral tower every night between 10 PM and 2 AM. Lausanne is one of the last cities in Europe to maintain this tradition.MuseumsBeyond the Olympic Museum, highlights include the Collection de l'Art Brut, based on Jean Dubuffet's collection, and the Plateforme 10 art district right next to the train station.

    Nightlife

    1

    Jumeaux Jazz Club

    Jazz club in the basement of a downtown building with regular live concerts and jam sessions. A good place to round off the evening with music.
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    2

    La Guinguette de Vidy

    Bar with Spanish-inspired food on Vidy's lakeside promenade, west of Ouchy. In summer, sit outside in the evenings and enjoy Lake Geneva views.
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    3

    Rooftop MadHouse

    Rooftop bar on Place de l'Europe in Flon, in Lausanne's nightlife district. From up there, you overlook the city rooftops.
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    Traveling in Lausanne

    The Metro M2 runs from the lakeside in Ouchy, via the station and Flon, up to the upper parts of the city, and is one of the steepest metros in the world. Buses complement the network. Hotel guests receive the Lausanne Transport Card for public transport in the city. From Geneva, you're here by train in about 40 minutes; from Ouchy, boats depart for Évian and Lavaux.

    Accommodations in Lausanne

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    Campgrounds in Lausanne

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    Plan your trip to Lausanne

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      • 1Olympic Museum3 days
      • 2Notre-Dame Cathedral4 days
      • 3Collection de l'Art Brut5 days
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    Nearby

    Lake Geneva Area

    Lake Geneva Area

    Lake Geneva is the center of French-speaking Switzerland. At the western end of the lake is Geneva, with the Jet d'Eau and the European headquarters of the United Nations, while on the north shore, the Lavaux vineyard terraces stretch between Lausanne and Vevey.The region combines city, wine, and lake shores with views of the Alps. Boats, lakeside paths, and railway lines along the lake make it easily explorable without a car.
    Lavaux

    Lavaux

    Lavaux is a landscape of steep vineyard terraces on the northern shore of Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Vevey. Since 2007, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site, and with around 800 hectares of vines, it is Switzerland's largest contiguous wine region.The terraces were created from the 11th and 12th centuries onwards under the influence of the Bishops of Lausanne and the Cistercians; the most important grape variety is Chasselas. The best way to explore the area is on foot: From the train stations of Lutry, Cully, Grandvaux, and Chexbres, paths lead through the vines and wine villages; a longer path runs from Lausanne-Ouchy to Chillon Castle. A more comfortable option is the Train des Vignes, which travels from Vevey through the vineyards up to Puidoux-Chexbres. At the Lavaux Vinorama in Rivaz, you can taste regional wines.
    Montreux

    Montreux

    Montreux lies at the eastern end of Lake Geneva, where palm trees along the promenade meet snow-capped peaks in the background. The town is famed for its Jazz Festival, Belle Époque hotels, and the nearby Chillon Castle.
    Pâquis

    Pâquis

    The quarter on the right bank, between Cornavin Station and the lake, is Geneva's liveliest and most international quarter, with many small restaurants from all over the world. On the lakefront are the Bains des Pâquis, a popular public bathing area with views of the Jet d'Eau.
    The Old Town

    The Old Town

    Geneva's Old Town is situated on a hill on the left bank of the lake, surrounding Saint-Pierre Cathedral. Steep lanes lead up to the Place du Bourg-de-Four, the city's oldest square, which is lined with cafés. Below, the Parc des Bastions stretches out, featuring the Reformation Wall.