How to get the most of Lausanne, in 11 ways

21.11.2024 - 16:21 / lonelyplanet.com / Lake Geneva

Nov 21, 2024 • 9 min read

Not far from its world-famous neighbor Geneva, the French-speaking Swiss city of Lausanne boasts a gorgeous lakeside location, youthful vibe and cultural riches. 

While small, Lausanne all but bursts with options for visitors. From beaches and boat rides to vineyards and pop-up bars, these top things to do will make any trip here a real treat.

Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, brought the International Olympic Committee to Lausanne in 1915. Today, the organization occupies a rather swanky lakeshore building at Vidy – and while tourists can’t go inside, they can go down the road to the Olympic Museum in Ouchy, an all-singing, all-dancing homage to the Games demonstrating the pride with which Lausanne celebrates its identity as the “Olympic Capital.”

Sports fans will love the permanent collection, which delves into the history of the Games and the values they aim to promote. You’ll see programs, medals, flags, torches, clothing and equipment dating back more than a century; watch videos of opening ceremonies and memorable moments; and explore the meaning of the Olympic spirit through interactive, audiovisual exhibits. The TOM Café is a good spot for a coffee with a view over the lake, while kids will love the park, with its running track and sculptures depicting Olympic sports.

The first thing you’ll notice about Lausanne is that it’s hilly. The Romans first established the village of Lousanna on the shore of Lake Geneva (le Léman, in French) – and the Cité, a fortified camp on a hill some 500m (1640ft) above the lake, became the town’s main population center in the Middle Ages. Contemporary Lausanne occupies both areas and the zones in between. And you can see it all by taking a leisurely downhill stroll.

Start in the Cité by exploring the 13th-century Gothic cathedral and the quiet cobbled streets that surround it. A sweeping view of Lausanne opens up the terrace outside the cathedral (which you can supercharge by climbing the 153 steps of the bell tower). From here, take the medieval wooden market steps down to the busy town center and Town Hall on Place de la Palud, before continuing your descent past the train station, through Grancy and beyond to the lakeshore at Ouchy. Reward yourself with an ice cream from Glaces Veneta before heading back up to town on the leg-saving M2 metro line.

Local tip: Pick up a sandwich, panini or sweet treat at Ässbar on Rue du Petit Chêne (you can snag yesterday’s bakery leftovers at a reduced price), and head to Parc de Milan for a picnic.

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