Dominating the city majestically from the hill of the Cité, Lausanne Cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in Europe. Built starting from 1170 and consecrated in 1275 in the presence of Pope Gregory X, this architectural marvel attests to the historical significance of Lausanne.

An Architectural Masterpiece

The cathedral impresses with its painted south portal, one of the few surviving examples of medieval polychromy in Europe, as well as its magnificent rose window composed of colored glass dating back to the 13th century. The interior, with its soaring vaults and finely sculpted capitals, offers a unique atmosphere of contemplation.

Over the centuries, several restoration campaigns have preserved this jewel, notably the one led by the famous architect Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th century. Every stone tells a story, and every stained glass window illuminates a part of the history of this millennial city.

The Watch of Lausanne: A Living Tradition

A unique feature that adds to the charm of the cathedral is the tradition of the watch. Since the Middle Ages, a watchman has announced the hour by crying out every evening between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., from the belfry. "C'est le guet, il a sonné l'heure!" - this phrase echoes through the Lausanne night, perpetuating a centuries-old tradition and making Lausanne one of the last cities in Europe to maintain this custom.

Located in the idyllic setting of Ouchy, on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Olympic Museum is one of Lausanne's top attractions. As the Olympic capital and home to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Lausanne hosts this unique museum that celebrates the history, values, and global impact of the Olympic Games.

An Interactive and Immersive Experience

Spread over three thematic levels, the museum offers a fascinating journey through the Olympic world. The tour begins with an exploration of the Olympic world and its fundamental values, continues with the history of the Games, and concludes with an immersion in the Olympic spirit. Interactive exhibitions, historical artifacts, and audiovisual testimonies provide an enriching experience for visitors of all ages.

Among the treasures on display are Olympic torches from various editions of the Games, medals, sports equipment belonging to legendary champions, as well as audiovisual archives retracing the most memorable moments in Olympic history.

The Olympic Park: A Green Oasis

Beyond the museum itself, the surrounding Olympic Park is also worth a visit. With its contemporary sculptures, sports installations, and educational trails, this garden offers a pleasant walk while extending the Olympic experience. From the museum's terrace, visitors can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of Lake Geneva and the Alps.

Stretching for about 30 kilometers between Lausanne and Montreux, the Lavaux vineyard terraces constitute one of the most spectacular landscapes in Switzerland. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, these terraced vineyards, cultivated since the 12th century, offer an exceptional testimony to the secular interaction between humans and their environment.

A Millennium of Viticultural Heritage

With 800 hectares of contiguous terraced vineyards, Lavaux is the largest contiguous wine-growing region in Switzerland. These steep slopes, shaped by generations of winegrowers, primarily produce Chasselas, a white grape variety emblematic of the region. The beauty of the landscape changes with the seasons: tender green in spring, lush in summer, golden hues in autumn, and graphic lines in winter.

The history of these vineyards dates back to the time of the Cistercian monks who, in the Middle Ages, undertook the development of these steep slopes into terraces supported by stone walls. This titanic work created this unique landscape where the vineyard, the lake, and the mountains compose a breathtakingly beautiful tableau.

Exploring Lavaux: Hiking and Tasting

The best way to discover Lavaux is to follow the hiking trails that wind through the vineyards. The "Vineyard Path" offers an accessible walk for everyone, with breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. For a more complete experience, don't miss visiting the picturesque villages that dot the vineyard, such as Saint-Saphorin, Rivaz, or Epesses.

The region is also renowned for its oenotourism. Many cellars offer tastings where you can enjoy local wines while discovering the secrets of their production. The "Lavaux Vinorama" in Rivaz is a discovery center that presents over 300 wines from the region.

Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Western Europe, is inseparable from the identity of Lausanne. This vast crescent-shaped expanse of water, which serves as a natural border between Switzerland and France, offers an exceptional playground for water activities as well as a privileged living environment for the inhabitants of Lausanne.

A Rich and Diverse Ecosystem

With an area of 580 km² and a maximum depth of 310 meters, Lake Geneva hosts a remarkable biodiversity. Its crystal-clear waters are home to numerous fish species, some of which are emblematic of local cuisine, such as perch, char, pike, or whitefish. Restaurants along the lake serve these specialties, often accompanied by Lavaux wines for an authentic culinary experience.

The lake also plays a crucial role in the regional ecosystem, influencing the local climate and creating favorable conditions for viticulture along its shores.

Water Sports and Leisure Activities

Lake Geneva is a true paradise for water sports enthusiasts. In summer, equipped beaches such as Bellerive, Vidy, or Ouchy invite visitors to swim in refreshing waters. Water sports are also very popular: sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, or simply a leisurely ride in a paddle boat.

For those who prefer to admire the lake without getting wet, cruises aboard the boats of the Compagnie Générale de Navigation (CGN) offer a unique perspective on Lausanne and its surroundings. The Belle Époque fleet, with its historic steamboats, provides a nostalgic experience particularly appreciated by visitors.

A Changing Spectacle with the Seasons

The lake presents a different face with each season. In summer, its blue waters shimmer under the sun, while in winter, morning mists create a mysterious atmosphere. Sunsets over Lake Geneva are particularly spectacular, when the sky is adorned with pink and orange hues that reflect in the calm waters of the lake.

Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Quais d'Ouchy constitute one of the most popular and picturesque promenades in Lausanne. This elegant esplanade, built in 1901, connects the old port dating from 1793 and the Tour Haldimand erected in 1823, offering visitors and residents a privileged place for relaxation with a breathtaking view of the lake and the Alps.

A Place of Life and Relaxation

The Quais d'Ouchy extend for nearly a kilometer along the lake, forming a shaded promenade ideal for strolling in all seasons. In summer, the area comes alive: the terraces of cafes and restaurants fill up, ice cream parlors attract sweet-toothed visitors, and lawns welcome picnickers and sunbathers. On summer weekends, the quays are closed to motor vehicles, allowing pedestrians, cyclists, and skaters to fully enjoy this space.

Three large parks dot this route: the Parc de l'Elysée, known for its photography museum, the Parc Olympique adjacent to the Olympic Museum, and the Parc du Denantou with its Thai garden gifted by the King of Thailand. These green spaces bring a touch of freshness and serenity to the promenade.

Château d'Ouchy: A Witness to History

An inevitable landmark of the quays, Château d'Ouchy is a neo-Gothic building that has been transformed into a luxury hotel. Built in the 12th century as a summer residence for the bishops of Lausanne, it was rebuilt in the 19th century in its current style. Its elegant silhouette with turrets and battlements reflects in the waters of the lake, creating an image worthy of a postcard.

Near the castle is the port of Ouchy, where the CGN boats that offer cruises on the lake are docked, as well as numerous sailboats and pleasure craft that add to the beauty of the landscape.

Activities and Animations

The Quais d'Ouchy are the venue for numerous events throughout the year: craft markets, music festivals, sports or cultural events. The Ouchy fountain, with its jets of water that rise several meters high, offers a refreshing spectacle, particularly appreciated on hot summer days.

Gradually inaugurated since 2019, Plateforme 10 is the new arts district of Lausanne that has transformed the former site of the CFF locomotive sheds into a major cultural hub. This ambitious project brings together three Vaud cantonal museums on a single site, creating a unique museum campus in Switzerland.

Three Museums, One Vision

Plateforme 10 hosts the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA), the Museum of Design and Contemporary Applied Arts (mudac), and Photo Elysée, the cantonal museum for photography. This concentration of cultural institutions allows for an enriching dialogue between different forms of artistic expression, from traditional fine arts to contemporary creations.

The MCBA, the first museum to integrate the site, presents a remarkable collection of works ranging from the 18th century to the present day, with a particular emphasis on Vaud and Swiss art. Photo Elysée, formerly Musée de l'Elysée, is internationally recognized for its innovative photographic exhibitions. As for the mudac, it explores the boundaries between design, craftsmanship, and contemporary art through stimulating thematic exhibitions.

A Revitalized Urban Space

Beyond the museums themselves, Plateforme 10 is designed as a true Lausanne neighborhood, with a public esplanade, restaurants, terraces, and bookstores. The contemporary architecture of the buildings, signed by internationally renowned architecture firms, harmoniously dialogues with the railway industrial heritage of the site.

This urban transformation has created a new place of life and encounter, easily accessible from Lausanne station. The central esplanade, a vast open space, regularly hosts cultural events and temporary artistic installations that animate the district.

Permanent Collections and Temporary Exhibitions

In addition to the permanent collections of the three museums, Plateforme 10 also houses the collections of the Toms Pauli (contemporary textile art) and Félix Vallotton (works of the famous Swiss painter) foundations. The site offers a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions, often designed in synergy between the different institutions, thus providing cross-perspectives on various artistic themes.

Inaugurated in 2017, AQUATIS is the largest freshwater aquarium-vivarium in Europe. This innovative complex offers an immersive journey of 3500 m² through the five continents to discover the most fascinating freshwater ecosystems on our planet.

An Immersive and Educational Experience

AQUATIS distinguishes itself with its original thematic approach that follows the life cycle of a water droplet around the world. Visitors are invited on an extraordinary journey that begins in the European Alpine environment, continues through the great African lakes, the Amazon, Asia, and Oceania, and finally returns to Europe.

With its 46 aquariums, vivariums, and aquaterrariums, AQUATIS houses more than 10,000 fish and a hundred reptiles and amphibians. Each space is carefully scenographed to recreate the natural habitats of the species presented, offering an immersive and educational experience.

Biodiversity and Conservation

Beyond its spectacular aspect, AQUATIS fulfills an important mission of raising awareness about the preservation of freshwater ecosystems. Through interactive devices, films, and explanatory panels, visitors become aware of the fragility of these environments and the threats that weigh upon them.

The facility also participates in conservation and breeding programs for endangered species, contributing to the preservation of global aquatic biodiversity.

Architecture and Sustainability

The building itself is remarkable for its contemporary architecture and its facade composed of thousands of aluminum discs that evoke the scales of a fish. Designed with a sustainable development approach, AQUATIS uses innovative technologies to minimize its environmental impact, particularly in terms of water and energy management.

Among the many green spaces that make up the natural and historical heritage of Lausanne, Parc Mon-Repos stands out for its exceptional character. This true haven of peace and coolness in the heart of the city offers visitors an ideal place for walking, meditation, and nature observation.

A Historical Landscape Garden

Developed from the second half of the 18th century, Parc Mon-Repos is a remarkable witness to the landscape garden movement that spread across Europe at that time. Its design reflects the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment, a period rich in intellectual debates and cultural exchanges.

The park impresses with the diversity of its architectural elements: a neo-Gothic tower, an artificial waterfall, a neoclassical temple, an orangery, and aviaries. These structures, harmoniously integrated into the landscape, create varied perspectives and changing atmospheres as you stroll through.

Remarkable Biodiversity

The rich botanical heritage of Parc Mon-Repos is one of its main attractions. Its century-old trees, some classified as historical monuments, offer welcome shade on hot summer days. In spring, the flowerbeds and blooming shrubs transform the park into a colorful and fragrant tableau.

The park also hosts a diverse urban wildlife: squirrels, birds, and insects find refuge in this preserved ecosystem. The historical aviaries, although no longer housing as many species as before, retain their charm and recall the enthusiasm for ornithology that characterized aristocratic gardens.

A Space for Relaxation and Culture

Today, Parc Mon-Repos is both a place of relaxation for families, with its playgrounds for children, and a space of tranquility for those seeking peace. It occasionally hosts cultural events, such as open-air concerts or temporary exhibitions, which animate this enchanting setting.

The Villa de Mon-Repos, an elegant building overlooking the park, currently houses administrative services of the city, but its neoclassical architecture is worth a closer look.

Unique in the world, the Collection de l'Art Brut in Lausanne is dedicated to original creations by self-taught artists operating outside traditional artistic circuits. Founded by artist Jean Dubuffet in 1976, this singular museum presents works that defy conventions and reveal a pure and spontaneous creativity.

Art Brut: An Authentic Expression

Art brut, a term coined by Jean Dubuffet in 1945, refers to artistic productions created by individuals without academic training, often socially isolated or marginalized. These creators, free from any cultural or artistic influence, produce works of striking authenticity and originality, guided solely by their inner need for expression.

The collection, which now numbers over 70,000 works, presents creations in all mediums: drawings, paintings, sculptures, textiles, assemblages... Each piece tells a personal story, often linked to atypical or difficult life paths, and testifies to a singular vision of the world.

A Museum in a Historical Setting

The Collection de l'Art Brut is housed in the Château de Beaulieu, an elegant 18th-century residence located in a wooded park. The classical architecture of the building contrasts interestingly with the unconventional nature of the works exhibited, creating a unique museum experience.

The permanent exhibition presents works from emblematic figures of art brut, such as Adolf Wölfli, Aloïse Corbaz, Henry Darger, or Augustin Lesage. Thematic temporary exhibitions regularly complement this presentation, highlighting specific aspects of the collection or recently discovered creators.

A Transformative Artistic Experience

Visiting the Collection de l'Art Brut is an experience that often challenges traditional notions of art. These creations, made outside of any academic or commercial framework, question our definitions of beauty, technique, and artistic expression. They invite us to reconsider the boundaries between normality and marginality, between recognized art and spontaneous creation.

The museum also offers educational activities, guided tours, and workshops that allow for a deeper understanding of this singular art and its importance in the history of 20th-century art.

Inaugurated in 2010, the Rolex Learning Center is one of the most iconic buildings of contemporary architecture in Switzerland. Located on the campus of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), this innovative knowledge and learning center attracts not only students and researchers but also architecture enthusiasts from around the world.

A Revolutionary Architecture

Designed by the renowned Japanese architecture firm SANAA (Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa), winner of the Pritzker Prize, the Rolex Learning Center stands out for its unique wavy form. The building extends over an area of 20,000 m² without interior walls or partitions, creating a fluid and organic space that redefines the notion of a learning environment.

The structure rests on a wavy floor pierced with circular patios that bring in natural light and ventilation. This design creates "hills" and "valleys" within the building, offering spaces of varying heights and atmospheres. The large windows surrounding the building provide panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, harmoniously integrating the external landscape into the interior experience.

A Multifunctional Center

The Rolex Learning Center houses a library of 500,000 volumes, study spaces, a bookstore, a cafeteria, restaurants, and relaxation areas. Designed as a place for interdisciplinary meetings and exchanges, it fosters interaction between students, researchers, and visitors in a stimulating and friendly environment.

The library, the true heart of the building, is organized according to an innovative concept that prioritizes accessibility and fluidity. The collections are arranged in a spiral, inviting discovery and exploration. "Study bubbles," semi-enclosed spaces scattered throughout the building, offer more intimate work areas while preserving the sensation of open space.

A Place Open to the Public

Contrary to what one might think, the Rolex Learning Center is not reserved for EPFL students and staff. It is open to the public, who can enjoy its restaurants, bookstore, and even its library (for on-site consultation). It is also a privileged place to discover contemporary architecture and observe how innovative design can transform the experience of learning and socialization.

The building regularly hosts cultural events, conferences, and exhibitions that attract a diverse audience, making the Rolex Learning Center a true bridge between the academic world and society.