12 Essentials for Visiting Lausanne

Located on the banks of Lake Geneva, Lausanne is one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland. With its pleasant lakeside promenade, its old town, its gentle way of life and its breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and the AlpsLausanne is a city that will seduce you. Internationally known as the Olympic capital, Lausanne is also home to the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee and the famous Olympic museum. For your next stay on the banks of Lake Geneva, discover our selection of 12 must-see places to visit Lausanne.

#1 Ouchy and the banks of Lake Geneva

Lausanne is a city which benefits from a unique location on the shores of Lake Geneva with breathtaking views of the Alps. A few metro stops from the center, you will arrive at the lakeside in the Ouchy district. A former fishing village, Ouchy is today a popular vacation spot. In the heart of the district, the Château d'Ouchy has been converted into a luxury hotel and a restaurant. Among the most pleasant activities for visiting Lausanne, we really advise you to allow time to stroll or walk on the magnificent promenade along Lake Geneva.

#2 The Olympic Museum

First of all, during a trip to Lausanne, we advise you to visit the unmissable Olympic museum. Olympic capital since 1994 and home to the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1915, Lausanne has indeed been closely linked to the Olympic Games for a long time. In this most famous museum in Switzerlandyou can relive the entire history of the Olympic Games from ancient Greece to modern games. As well suited for Olympic enthusiasts as for the curious, the Olympic museum shows the evolution of the Olympic Games, sport as a whole and the different disciplines. By discovering the Olympic museum, you will have the chance to see the medals from all the Olympics. You will also be able to admire numerous objects donated by different Olympic champions.

Note that if you are traveling with your children, this fun and exciting museum is one of the best ideas for a family activity in Switzerland. During your visit, also take the time to take a walk in the superb museum park which houses numerous sculptures. As an added bonus, you will have a magnificent view of Lake Geneva from the museum esplanade.

#3 The old town of Lausanne

Composed of many pedestrian streetsthe old town of Lausanne is very pleasant to visit. To discover this neighborhood, the best option is to stroll through small streets as you wish. To find your way, know that the Saint-François square constitutes the heart of the city while the cathedral dominates the old town. Among the must-sees for visiting Lausanne, the Place Palud and its famous clock are also located in the heart of the old town. During your discovery, don't forget to pass by rue du Bourg with its old buildings, its art galleries, its jewelry stores and its luxury boutiques.

#4 Lausanne Cathedral

Dominating the city, Lausanne Cathedral is considered the most beautiful Gothic building in Switzerland. If the visit to the cathedral is already magnificent, your climb will be doubly worth it since you will be able to benefit from an incredible view of the city and the lake from the esplanade. For the more courageous, it is possible to climb the tower for an even more spectacular view. Small anecdote, know that a tradition persists at Lausanne Cathedral and that a watchman shouts every hour between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Not to be missed if you are in the neighborhood in the evening.

#5 The Rumine Palace

Located in the old town of Lausanne, the Palais de Rumine is a imposing building which formerly housed the university and nowadays hosts the university library and five museums. Among the most interesting, we recommend the cantonal museum of fine arts and the Museum of Archeology and History. In any case, even if you don't visit a museum, the exterior of the Palais de Rumine is worth stopping by during your visit to the old town.

#6 The Flon district

To visit Lausanne, we also advise you not to miss the Esplanade du Flon, the fashionable district of the city. Old industrial district of Lausannethe Flon is now the trendy place to go out and party in the evening. In the Flon district you will find numerous bars, restaurants, fashionable boutiques and entertainment until late at night.

#7 A boat trip

Among the key activities for visiting Lausanne, we recommend that you take a boat trip on Lake Geneva. With their traditional shape, the boats of Lake Geneva are truly part of the landscape in the towns bordering the lake. For an authentic experience and to discover sublime views from another perspective, a cruise on the lake will leave you with unforgettable memories. Note that boats connect the main towns on the lake and are one of the most pleasant means of transport to get from one town to another. We therefore advise you to take advantage of your desire for a walk on the water to plan a excursion to discover Geneva or Evian in France for example.

#8 The vineyards of Lavaux

Classified at UNESCO world heritagethe Lavaux vineyards are definitely one of the unmissable places to visit in the immediate vicinity of Lausanne. In overlooking the lakethe vines indeed offer breathtaking landscapes. For your visit, you will find numerous hiking trails to explore the vineyards and offer you unique panoramas of Lake Geneva and the surrounding area. After your hike, be sure to stop at a cellar to taste the region's wine.

#9 The beaches of Lake Geneva

Another asset of the city of Lausanne, you can enjoy different beaches on the shores of the lake. With its ideal geographical location along Lake Geneva, Lausanne offers beautiful beaches to enjoy with family or friends. On a day when the climate in Switzerland is sunny, we advise you to plan a picnic or a moment of relaxation. To do this, note that the Vidy beach is the most popular. Over 500 meters, it allows you to enjoy the joys of the lakeside and numerous water activities.

#10 The Montbenon esplanade

Located in the center of Lausanne, the Montbenon esplanade is a park overlooking Lake Geneva. If you choose to take a break in this green space, you will be able to enjoy a magnificent view on a day when the climate in Lausanne is pleasant. In this park, know that you will find the Lausanne casino as well as the imposing building which houses the Montbenon courthouse.

#11 The Rolex Learning Center

On the shores of Lake Geneva, the Rolex Learning Center is a building with astonishing architecture. Located in the EPFL, the famous science institution in Europe, this building is worth discovering if you like modern and innovative architecture. Note that the Rolex Learning Center houses a library as well as an international cultural center.

#12 An excursion to Vevey or Montreux

Finally, we advise you to take advantage of your stay in Lausanne to treat yourself to a nice excursion to Vevey or Montreux, two of the most beautiful towns in the canton of Vaud. Both towns will allow you to enjoy pleasant walks along the lake and sublime views. HAS Veveyyou can follow in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin and stroll through the pleasant little streets of the city. If you visit Montreuxdon’t miss the superb “Belle Époque” buildings, the sculptures along the lake as well as the statue in homage to Freddy Mercury. Don't hesitate to visit the famous Château Chinon during your day trip to Montreux.

You now know the essential places to visit Lausanne. So, what will be your program in Switzerland for your next trip to the Olympic capital? If you need more information to organize your stay on Lake Geneva, we suggest you discover our advice for planning a trip to Switzerland. You can also take inspiration from our itinerary ideas in Switzerland and our article on the budget in Switzerland to optimize your discoveries and your visit to Lausanne.