Overview

Lausanne is home to a great deal of sights which will keep avid sightseers busy while visiting the city. The great number of museums alone will take up a significant amount of sightseeing time. The history of the city and surrounding area is detailed through art, architecture and archaeological remains. As well as museums, there are also old and impressive buildings, a lively old town, the famous Lake Geneva and cathedrals, churches and concert halls.

Collection de l‘Art Brut

This impressive art gallery showcases the work of largely unknown artists. Many of the artists which have work on display here have a natural talent and are untrained. There are paintings, sculptures, ceramics and drawings by people who have been institutionalised for most of their lives, either in prison or institutes for the mentally impaired. Lots of the pieces are stories of troubled lives and provide fascinating insight.

Lausanne Cathedral

This is the most famous Gothic cathedral in Switzerland and it lies in the heart of Lausanne. It dates back to 1275 and was never completed; in fact, it is still missing its north tower. The cathedral still has a town crier who calls out the time from the cathedral's only tower, a tradition which has been maintained for centuries. The town crier calls out the time every evening and as the crowds gather to hear it, be sure to have your camera ready. Concerts and festivals are often held in the cathedral.

Metropole

This listed building is now a beautiful concert hall. It is not very old, having been built in 1929, but boasts stunning architecture and a beautifully designed interior. It hosts a wide variety of performances such as ballets, plays, orchestral recitals and much more. Visiting the Metropole and enjoying a performance is a highlight for many people who visit Lausanne.

Hermitage Foundation

This fine arts museum is a must-see for lovers of art. The building itself is worthy of praise, as are the works of art found inside. It was opened in 1984 with the aim to allow more people the chance to enjoy fine art. There is both a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions held throughout the year.

Lake Geneva

This famous lake is the centre of most of the town's outdoor activities. During the summer months, people visit the lake to relax in the sun, enjoy the water sports on offer and have a picnic or rollerblade or cycle around the lake. During the winter months, people arrive to take advantage of the iced water and take their skates to the frozen lake. Two of the most popular spots include Ouchy Marina and Bellerive, two beach-like areas.

Old Town

The Old Town is a bustling hub of attractions particularly attractive to tourists. There are also a number of restaurants and bars located here as well as hotels, guest houses and markets. In fact, there is so much to see and do here that most visitors find themselves spending more time here than any other area of the city.

Overview

Lausanne is a hub of outdoor activity, both in the summer and winter. Swimming, sailing, fishing and other water sports are popular when the weather is good while ice skating and skiing in the mountains surrounding the city are favourites when the weather is cold. Rollerblading and walking are also pursued avidly and equipment for all sports can be easily rented from shops throughout town.

Swimming

Lake Geneva is a popular spot for swimming during the summer. The beach areas of Ouchy Marina and Bellerive have beautiful sand and clear waters and are ideal places for the whole family to swim. There are many amenities in the area and shallow waters for those who are not confident at depth.

Sailing

Sailing is very popular with many people who visit Lausanne. Beginner sailors can learn this sport at the sailing school at Ouchy port while experienced sailors do not need to waste time with lessons and can rent a boat daily, weekly or monthly. The sailing season is from April to November and the waters are calm and perfect for a family day out.

Walking

The local Swiss population are very keen walkers and because of this, there are many footpaths and walking tours to indulge in. The Old Town is an excellent area to explore on foot while the nature trails around Lake Geneva offer the chance to experience beautiful nature and local wildlife.

Fishing

As with all water sports, fishing is popular on Lake Geneva. There are a number of perch, pike and trout ready for keen anglers and many local fishing clubs which welcome guests and have equipment for rent. Fishing permits are required but can be easily obtained from the clubs around the lake.

Rollerblading and skateboarding

These outdoor activities are very popular in Lausanne. The younger populations can be seen trying out new moves on their boards while rollerblades are available for rent and many people enjoy skating around the town. Pedestrians are generally accommodating to those on rollerblades and there are also several dedicated parks and paths around the town.

Dining and shopping

Lausanne boasts a lively, cosmopolitan character which is most evident in the amount of restaurants and types of cuisine available. The city became home to hundreds of immigrants in the 20th century, which have influenced the dining out scene significantly. The restaurant choices are as diverse as the ethnic groups which call Lausanne home.

European cuisine is very popular in Lausanne, with a glut of Italian and French restaurants being top of people's lists. Asian cuisine is also popular and there are many Asian eateries to choose from including Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Indian. Add to this an already large selection Middle Eastern, Mexican and African cuisine and it means you will be able to enjoy food from every corner of the world.

During the summer months, bistros open their doors and are frequented by both locals and tourists. They are very popular due to their relaxed atmosphere, outdoor seating and good food. However, the ones in the heart of the Old Town can be fairly pricey.

The Old Town is home to the largest cluster of restaurants and the widest range of cuisine. There are many fine dining experiences within easy walking distance as well as smaller cafés, top class hotels, fondue houses and bars serving snacks. The districts of Ouchy and Vidy are just a short drive away and have some excellent seafood restaurants as well as lots of scenically located eateries on the banks of Lake Geneva.

Local dishes are served at many of the restaurants in town, although the best local restaurants are found on the outskirts and down quiet backstreets away from the tourist hubs. Indulging in Swiss-made cheese and chocolate is very enjoyable. Chocolate lovers will be in heaven with the selection such as Lindt and Toblerone while Emmental and Gruyère will get the taste buds working overtime.

Dishes which should not be missed include the famous fondues; home made quiches and tarts; rostis (fried grated potato omelettes, usually eaten for breakfast); raclette (hot cheese trickled over potatoes, served with small gherkins and pickled onions) and papet vaudois (leeks with sausage).

While most people do not arrive in Lausanne to shop, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy retail therapy. The most popular shopping area is found within the Old Town. There are a number of clothes shops, bookshops and souvenir shops within close proximity of each other and there is also the city's most popular department store, Manor, which is located on Rue St Laurent.

If you want to indulge in something more upmarket, the exclusive Place St François is a small square housing some stylish shops such as Bon Genie. It is also possible to pick up some very good wine (which is made locally), tea, coffee, cheese and chocolate.

You will have to bring your credit cards to really take advantage of shopping in Lausanne as it can be very expensive. With the exception of cheese and chocolate, most souvenirs and gifts are on the pricey side.

The town is home to a number of markets selling a wide variety of produce. The city centre market is held every Wednesday and Saturday and sells everything from food to clothing while the local flea market, held on Place Chauderon, specialises in arts and antiques. Ouchy Sunday Market boasts a wide variety of local food and is the best place, after the vineyards themselves, to stock up on local wine.

Lausanne boasts an excellent selection of restaurants catering to every possible taste and budget. The Old Town is home to a number of tourist restaurants while the outskirts of the city and the back roads are where you will find local establishments and traditional authentic Swiss food. There are dozens of fondue houses and almost as many international restaurants. It is possible to enjoy everything from budget take away food to fine dining in expensive establishments and hotels.

Overview

Geneva's Cointrin International Airport is the main gateway for international passengers arriving in Lausanne. It is just 45 minutes away by rail or road and there are a number of public transport options. Once in Lausanne, the metro is one of the best ways to get about although buses are also good value and offer a large variety of routes. Much of the city is small enough to walk around but car hire and taxis are available for those looking to go further afield.

Airports

Lausanne does not have its own airport so most international travellers arrive at Geneva Cointrin International Airport. Not only is this the most common gateway into the region, but it is actually the main gateway to the country. It is approximately 45 minutes away from Lausanne by car. Other airports close by include Bern (1 hour) and Zurich (2 hours, 30 minutes). However, both of these airports have a much more limited flight schedule.

Cointrin International Airport actually spreads over into France and there are passport control points for both countries. Those heading to Lausanne should ensure they depart the airport via the Swiss side. Destinations served by Geneva's airport include: all European countries, Moscow, Cairo, Beijing, Bangkok, Abu Dhabi and cities throughout the US. easyJet offers cheap shuttle services to and from airports in the UK.

Facilities at the airport are extensive and include banks, ATMs and bureaux de change counters; a post office; dry cleaning facilities; first and business class lounges; VIP lounges; a business centre; a good selection of restaurants and bars; an abundance of shopping and duty-free goods; wireless internet access for all; short and long-term parking options; information desks and assistance for disabled passengers.

Reaching Lausanne from the airport is very straightforward. There is an expressway which runs right into the town and can be accessed using a local bus, airport shuttle, taxi or hire car. The route is well signposted and cars can be hired from the airport. There is also a train which runs from the airport to Lausanne. It takes about the same time as it does to drive (about 45 minutes) and runs twice every hour. It is a 24 hour service although trains only run once every hour between midnight and 06:00.

Public transportation

Lausanne is conveniently located within easy reach of many towns and cities throughout Switzerland. There are buses running daily between the town and the capital, Geneva. Once in Geneva, visitors will find connections to cities throughout Europe via train, air or bus.

Driving to Lausanne is straightforward as many of the main roads lead directly to the town and it is well signposted. By hiring a car, it is possible to drive from almost anywhere in Europe, although this will of course take time.

Once in Lausanne, the majority of the town can be easily explored on foot. However, those who are not very fit may find the steep hills difficult and may prefer to use the local buses, taxis or metro services.

Despite being a relatively small city, Lausanne boasts two metro lines which cover the heart of the city centre as well as districts out towards the railway station. It is possible to buy tickets from stations throughout the city and single and return journeys are available, as are daily, weekly and monthly passes which offer unlimited travel on the metro for a set time frame. Bus tickets are paid for upon boarding.

Car hire is available in the city and taxis are abundant. It is possible to hire taxis for the day and your driver will be able to suggest areas of interest. It is important to negotiate a fare in advance and the price will depend on how long you want to hire a taxi for and how far you intend to go.