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16 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Lausanne

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

A modern city known for commerce and trade fairs, Lausanne isn't just about business. You'll find plenty of things to do in its historic old town and along the shore of Lake Geneva .

View over Lausanne, Switzerland

Ride Europe's steepest metro line from the lake to the museums of PLATEFORME 10 and relax in a café as you catch up on the latest from emerging artists in the energetic Flon arts district . Relive Olympic moments at the Olympic Museum and descend the picturesque Escaliers du Marche from the cathedral into Place de la Palud for sightseeing in the winding streets of the old city.

The lake and surrounding mountains will tempt you with more places to visit. Hop a lake steamer to tour Chateau Chillon and ride the Rochers-de-Naye Railway to the precipitous Alpine gardens high above. Spend a day in neighboring Vevey and whet your appetite at the interactive exhibits in the Alimentarium, or get active by cycling along the shore on the Tour du Lac Léman path.

The north shore of Lake Geneva is a great place for weekend getaways or a family vacation , and you'll find plenty of places to visit with this list of the top attractions and things to do in Lausanne

See also: Where to Stay in Lausanne

1. Olympic Museum

2. see lake geneva (lac léman) by boat, 3. cathedral of notre-dame, 4. château d'ouchy and promenade, 5. collection de l'art brut, 6. admire the impressionists at the hermitage foundation, 7. watch the clock in place de la palud, 8. explore the plateforme 10 art museums, 9. climb the escaliers du marche, 10. day trip to château de chillon, 11. gallery hop in the flon quarter, 12. climb the sauvabelin tower for the views, 13. a day in vevey, 14. lausanne-vidy roman museum, 15. ride the rochers-de-naye railway, 16. admire the windows at st. françois church, where to stay in lausanne for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in lausanne.

Statue in front of Olympic Museum

Along with the artifacts and history of the competitions, the Olympic Museum overlooking Lake Geneva focuses on the spirit and values of the Olympics and the qualities that have made them endure. The recently renovated displays span the entire history of the games, from their origins in ancient Greece to the most recent, and include Olympic torches, historic posters, equipment, and clothing worn by Olympians.

You can relive great moments from the Olympic Games through film clips and follow the evolution of sports technology and even fashion design. In addition to the exhibits and interactive experiences in the building, the lakeside campus includes manicured grounds where you can see sculptures and other works of art depicting Olympic themes, as well as the Olympic flame.

Address: Quay d'Ouchy 1, Lausanne

Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)

For most of its crescent-shaped length, Lake Geneva separates France and Switzerland, giving Lausanne, on its northern shore, beautiful views of the French Alps with the lake in the foreground. The shore from Lausanne east as far as Montreux is known as the Swiss Riviera , a sun-drenched landscape of terraced plantings dropping to a shoreline of gardens, palm trees, and picturesque villages.

The best way to enjoy the lake — and among the most popular things to do for tourists in Lausanne — is to board one of the lake steamers that stop here and either take a cruise or use it to hop between towns. Ferries shuttle between Lausanne and two French towns across the lake. The most popular of these is the spa town of Évian-les-Bains , a scenic 35-minute ride away.

Equally scenic are the rides to Geneva and Montreux, or you can take a dinner or lunch cruise. The most popular cruises are on the Belle Époque paddle steamers Montreux (1904) and the elegant La Suisse (1910). You can buy day tickets for unlimited CGN boat travel or use a Swiss Railway pass, which is valid on CGN boats.

Cathedral of Notre-Dame

Medieval pilgrims following the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela in Spain entered the cathedral through its 13th-century Apostles Doorway , adorned with beautifully painted stone sculptures. Inside, immediately to the right, is the Chapel of St. James, where they prayed and received their tokens.

Beyond, in the south transept, is a glorious rose window with 105 panels of beautiful 13th-century stained glass. Look under the window to see the originals of the stone sculptures from the Apostles Doorway, preserved here. The interior of the cathedral is beautifully proportioned, its focal point an organ of 6,000 pipes. The south aisle has carved choir stalls from 1509, and in the choir are some early Gothic stalls.

In the crypt lie the remains of an eighth-century basilica with tombs. The early Gothic cathedral, which is now Protestant, is a landmark, with its five towers rising above the city from the hilltop. From the 72-meter-high central tower, a night watchman calls out the hours from 10pm until 2am, as one has been doing each night for more than six centuries.

Address: Place de la Cathédrale 4, Lausanne

Lausanne Cathedral Notre Dame - Floor plan map

Below the busy center of Lausanne is the lakeside neighborhood of Ouchy, whose elegant Belle Epoch hotels are connected by a flower-lined promenade that stretches between the old and new ports. At the center of this stands a 12th-century castle, the Château d'Ouchy, in which the peace treaty between Turkey, Greece, and the Allies was signed in 1923. The chateau is now a luxury hotel and fine-dining restaurant.

Near the Hôtel de l'Angleterre , across the street from the chateau, a plaque commemorates Lord Byron, who wrote The Prisoner of Chillon here. Several historical treaties were signed in the famous grand hotels along the shore, including the Accord de Lausanne, where European powers agreed to suspend World War I reparations payments, signed at the opulent Beau-Rivage Palace in 1932.

From Lausanne's old harbor at Port d'Ouchy , the lakeside promenade runs one kilometer east to the 1823 Haldimand Tower and the attractive Parc Denantou. There you can see the Thai Pavilion , a gift from Thailand; all along the promenade are views across the lake to the Savoy Alps. Departing regularly from Place de la Navigation are boats that stop at points all along the lake between Geneva and Montreux, and across the lake to the French shore.

If you're energetic, you can rent a bicycle and follow the lakeshore on a segment of the 175-kilometer Tour du Lac Léman, a well-signed cycle route through lakeside villages with stunning lake and mountain views.

Address: Place du Port 2, Lausanne

Collection de l'Art Brut

One of the world's leading museums for outsider art, the Collection de l'Art Brut was founded by French artist Jean Dubuffet's contribution of his private collection of works by untrained artists. Works by more than 1,000 artists outside the mainstream creative community make up the collections, which include naïve paintings, sculptures, masks, and works in a wide variety of media.

The exhibitions change, following various themes that interpret the art and explore the creative process. The collections are housed in the splendid Château de Beaulieu, an 18th-century patrician residence in the center of the city.

Address: 11 av des Bergières, Lausanne

Hermitage Foundation museum

A newcomer, as great art museums go, the Fondation de l'Hermitage collection began in 1984 and has since grown with the donation of several more important private collections. Now more than 650 works represent prominent artists, especially Impressionist and post-Impressionist painters.

Artists represented include Manet, Cézanne, Degas, Monet, Boudin, Van Gogh, Fantin-Latour, Vuillard, and Braque. The museum also exhibits a major collection of works by 20th-century artists of the Vaud region, and special exhibitions bring retrospectives of other Swiss artists, such as the Lucerne-based painter Hans Emmenegger. The foundation is housed in an elegant lakeside house surrounded by gardens.

Address: Route du Signal 2, Lausanne

The Fountain of Justice in Place de la Palud

Below the cathedral, the winding streets of the old city are reserved for pedestrians and converge on Place de la Palud, where you'll see Lausanne's oldest fountain, the Fountain of Justice, with Justice represented on its central pillar. On the steps around the fountain, you'll often find people sitting as they await the clock above, which shows animated scenes from local history every hour from 9am to 7pm.

Place de la Palud

On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, market stalls selling local farm produce fill the square and its radiating streets. Overlooking the square is the Hôtel de Ville, the town hall, built in the 15th century with 16th-century stained glass and 17th-century modifications. It has arcades on the ground level, and on the façade are two copper gargoyles shaped like dragons.

Musée de l'Élysée

Three of Lausanne's outstanding art museums have joined other cultural institutions in a new purpose-built complex in the heart of the city, near the rail station. PLATEFORME 10 is the nucleus for an expanding arts neighborhood, a one-stop center for arts and culture.

The Musee des Beaux Arts (Fine Art Museum) holds an art collection that although modest in numbers is impressive in the quality of French artists represented. You'll find works by Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Auguste Renoir, Pierre Bonnard, Albert Marquet, Henri Matisse, and Maurice Utrillo here, along with a good collection of graphic works by Swiss artists.

Entirely devoted to photography, Musée de l'Élysée collects the momentous along with the trivial moments as they have been captured on film. Created by some of the great names in the art and by total unknowns, images reflect local and worldwide subjects, early and contemporary subjects, all dedicated to showing the many ways photographs have represented people, places, and events. The museum also tells the story of the medium itself, in examples of early processes, including ambrotypes, albumen paper, and Photochrom.

The Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts began as a collection of decorative arts, but has grown into a forum for the interplay of applied and fine arts, especially in the context of modern design. A program of five or more exhibitions annually gives particular attention to young and emerging designers and their work.

Address: Place de la Gare 16, Lausanne, Switzerland

Escaliers du Marche

One of the most picturesque sights in Lausanne is the long flight of covered steps leading from just above Place de la Palud to the terrace in front of the main door to the cathedral. Built in the 13th century, it connected the market in Place de la Palud to the one above. It takes its name from the city market that was held in a square next to the staircase until the 14 th century.

Beside the steps and rising with them in layers of terraces is a row of buildings that date from the 16th century. If you're climbing up, you can break the climb by stopping at a café on one of the terraces for a coffee or hot chocolate.

Château de Chillon

Rising directly out of the lake outside Montreux , Chateau de Chillon dates to the 9th century and is the setting for Byron's The Prisoner of Chillon, based on a true story. The stronghold of the Counts and Dukes of Savoy commanded the road from Burgundy over the Alps into Italy, and was given its present form in the 13th century.

The oldest parts, which you'll see on the well-organized and well-signed route through the castle's 20-plus buildings, are the keep and the Duke's Tower, which are linked by an internal wall, the living quarters, and the square tower above the entrance.

Only the crypt remains of the 10th-century St. Pantaleon Chapel, containing one of the region's first Christian altars. In the underground vaults, massive pillars and Gothic ribbed vaulting are carved out of bedrock, and here you'll see the iron ring that restrained François de Bonivard, the famed prisoner of the Duke of Savoy.

The entire complex is interesting and well interpreted by signage and costumed guides, but especially noteworthy are the large kitchen, the banqueting hall, the adjoining Bernese Room decorated with floral motifs, and the splendid Heraldic Hall. In the old tower are the Duke's apartments, where you can see traces of the rich 13th- and 14th-century decoration with birds and flowers.

The vaulted St. George's Chapel is completely decorated with figures and tendrils. The Count's Great Hall has a 15th-century coffered ceiling and four windows with quatrefoils above two 13th-century Gothic arches.

Address: Avenue de Chillon 21, Veytaux

Château de Chillon - Floor plan map

In Lausanne's ultra-contemporary new art and leisure zone, designer-architects have created buildings that are not just 21st-century but border on futuristic. The former area of 19th-century warehouses is now a lively quarter of dramatic and colorful buildings filled with shops, restaurants, business offices, designer galleries, and artists' studio space. Its central avenue opens into plazas where locals gather in good weather in cafés and on benches under a giant abstract tree.

The entire area seems constantly alive: in the winter, an open space becomes a skating rink, and at night, the buildings are dramatically lighted. As if to underscore the quarter's dynamic and forward approach as well as Lausanne's position as one of Europe's greenest cities, Flon metro station has a lush green roof, which you can see best from the footbridge connecting the station to the Lausanne Palace Hotel, above.

Sauvabelin Tower

Built to mark the turn of the millennium, the 35-meter Sauvabelin Tower stands in the middle of a forest on a hill above Lausanne. Constructed of locally harvested wood, mainly Douglas fir, this unusual round structure is filled by a wide spiral staircase of 302 steps, leading to an observation deck high above the treetops.

From this vantage point, the 360-degree view encompasses the city of Lausanne, Lake Geneva, the Swiss Alps, and into the Jura region . The tower is built in a park with a small lake, where you can take boat rides, and there is a playground and a small animal park for children. The park and tower are free, and from March through October the tower is open until 9pm. It's a favorite place to watch the sunset.

Address: Sauvabelin, 1018 Lausanne, Switzerland

Vevey

Vevey sits on Lake Geneva's shore beneath Mont Pèlerin and the 1,364-meter Plèiades, and in the 1800s became a major destination for affluent tourists. Its buildings are a harmonious blend of medieval, 19th-century, and Belle Epoch, and its waterfront is still lined by elegant hotels. Foremost among these is the beautiful Hotel du Lac , the setting for the Booker prize-winning novel of that name, which was written there.

The Grand Place , an unusually large market square, is the scene of a market of local produce, flowers, and handiwork on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Surrounding streets are lined by small shops, boutiques, and galleries of art and works by local craftspeople, a good place to go shopping.

Near the monument to resident Charlie Chaplin is the outstanding Alimentarium , a fascinating interactive museum of the history of food. Its lively exhibits explore the history of cooking, examine food sources and production, consider flavors and what makes foods appealing, and showcase some eccentric food-related collections. Standing out from the lake in front of the museum is a giant metal fork.

Address: Quai Perdonnet 25, Vevey

Lausanne-Vidy Roman Museum

In Roman times, Vidy, west of Ouchy along the lake shore, was the port of Lousonna, an important trading colony at the intersection of routes from the Mediterranean and the Rhine. The city of 1,500 to 2,000 traders, fishermen, and craftspeople thrived from the late first century well into the fourth, and their story is told at the Roman Museum.

Here, you'll see the remains of a wealthy residence, with painted rooms, an atrium, and luxuries such as heated floors. Through exhibits based on the artifacts unearthed here - bronze objects, coins, ceramics, glass, and household implements - you can get an idea of daily life in a Roman outpost two millennia ago. An archaeological walk takes you among the ruins of Lousonna's ancient forum.

Address: Chemin Bois de Vaux 24, Lausanne

Rochers-de-Naye Railway

From Montreux, you take the Rochers-de-Naye Railway , an electrically operated rack railway to the mountaintop of the Rochers de Naye. The line operates via the village of Glion, on the mountainside above Montreux, where it connects with the Territet-Glion funicular , which begins close to Chateau Chillon .

At the summit, along with breathtaking views and skiing in the winter, are precipitous Alpine gardens filled with rare flowers and a Marmot house where you can watch and learn about these Alpine mammals. The summit is especially beautiful in May when the daffodils bloom; the café there is a good place to try raclette, an Alpine Swiss specialty.

Above the station in Glion is the opulent Hotel Victoria with a restaurant on its vine-draped terrace high above the lake. You can link to the Rochers-de-Naye Railway through the GoldenPass, a series of rail lines between Bern and Lake Geneva that bring back the 19th-century elegance of rail travel.

View to the Tower of St. François Church

The hub of Lausanne's traffic is the Place St.-François, where you'll find the former Franciscan church of St.-François. The church dates from the 13th and 14th centuries; its tower was built in 1523. Be sure to see the beautiful stained-glass windows in the choir, which date from 1907.

The church was once part of a major Franciscan convent, which was dissolved in the Protestant Reformation, at which time the church interior was stripped of its decorations and imagery. Lausanne's Christmas market is held in the street here.

Lausanne's attractions are divided between the hilltop Old Town and lakeside Ouchy, so either or any place in between is a good choice. Hotel rooms come with free transit cards that include Europe's steepest metro line, connecting the two neighborhoods. Those traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass can stay in nearby Vevey and "commute" free on the frequent boats or trains that connect lakeside towns. Here are some highly rated hotels in Lausanne:

Luxury Hotels :

  • In a picture-perfect setting with lake and mountain views, Beau-Rivage Palace has a spa, outdoor pool, Michelin-starred restaurant, and a glamorous Belle Epoch interior.
  • Equally grand, in the upper town, with lake and mountain views and an easy stroll to the lively Flon arts district or atmospheric old town, Lausanne Palace & Spa has large rooms with balconies and one of Europe's finest restaurants.
  • In a nicely renovated lakeside castle at the steamer landing and near the Olympic Museum, Le Chateau d'Ouchy has well-designed rooms and an outstanding restaurant.

Mid-Range Hotels:

  • One of Switzerland's most luxurious hotels, but without Lausanne's price tag, Grand Hotel du Lac , in Vevey, has a magnificent lakeside setting with mountain views, impeccable service, Michelin-starred dining, and sumptuous rooms with balconies.
  • Featuring a pool and the understated elegance of a lakeside villa, Angleterre & Residence Hotel in Ouchy is a few steps from the Metro and steamer landing.
  • Just above the train station and an easy walk to Flon and Place de la Palud, boutique Hotel Elite has free parking and good breakfasts.

Budget Hotels:

  • Just below the train station on the Metro line from the lake, Agora Swiss Night is topped by a glass-domed breakfast room with panoramic views.
  • Near the Musee de l'Art Brut, at the edge of the old town and shopping district, ibis Lausanne Centre has easy bus access to the train station.
  • Nearby and a short walk to the cathedral and art museum, Hotel du Marche has free parking.

Lausanne Map - Tourist Attractions

More on Switzerland

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Skyline of Lausanne, Switzerland as seen from the Cathedral hill at sunset zoomed-in on the tower of St-Francois Church. Lake Leman (Lake Geneva) and the French Alps provide a beautiful background.

Surrounded by vineyards, rolling down a trio of hillsides to the lakeshore, Switzerland’s fourth-largest city, Lausanne, likes to think it gives Geneva a run for its money.

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Place de la Palud

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Musée Romain Lausanne-Vidy

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Musée Historique de Lausanne

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17 great things to do in Lausanne

Make the most of the Olympic city with Time Out's round-up of the best things to do in Lausanne

Packed with history and culture, Lausanne has a perfectly pretty centre, buzzing with restaurants, cafés ,  markets  and a number of neighbourhoods with a character all of their own, from the converted warehouses of Flon to the independent boutiques around Rue de Bourg and the stylish shops and cafés of Grancy. Best of all is Lausanne’s range of outdoor attractions, thanks to its position next to Lake Geneva. When the city centre shuts down on Sundays, decamp to Ouchy to swim, run, paddleboard or soak up the sun, or head up to bike around the leafy trails of Sauvebelin. 

RECOMMENDED: Fill up at Lausanne’s best restaurants .

Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere.

You can also find out more about  how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world , or take a look at our list of the  50 best things to do in the world right now .

Wander the city centre

1.  Wander the city centre

You can give yourself a good workout walking round Lausanne’s city centre, which spreads down a hill from the medieval Cité at the top through the pedestrian Old Town to the trendy warehouse district of Flon and then down to the main train station. To help inhabitants deal with the hills, it’s all linked by bridges, escalators, steps and lifts – not to mention the handy Metro M2 line. To be honest, it’s easy to get a little lost, but that’s half the fun. Make sure you explore the pretty Escaliers du Marché, which takes you down to the Place de la Palud, the Old Town’s main square and home to the town hall, where you can stop for a coffee at Café de L’Hôtel de Ville . On Saturdays and Wednesdays the square and surrounding streets fill up with market stalls which are well worth a browse. Elsewhere in town, window-shop the designer brands in Flon, or head away from the main drag to Rue Marterey for independent boutiques and street food outlets.

Explore an offbeat museum at Collection de l’Art Brut

2.  Explore an offbeat museum at Collection de l’Art Brut

For a little place, Lausanne has more than its share of cultural attractions. The quirky Collection de l’Art Brut  is an intriguing showcase of alternative art created by untrained artists on the fringes of society, whose psychological issues have fuelled pieces that are thought-provoking and hugely inventive.  

Swim alfresco at the Bellerive Plage

3.  Swim alfresco at the Bellerive Plage

Known as the place to hang out in summer, this 1930s outdoor leisure centre is eternally popular when the sun is shining. There’s an (unheated and admittedly rather chilly) Olympic-sized swimming pool for lane swimming, a large leisure pool with various water spouts and massage taps and a diving pool. If you’re after different sporting pursuits, take advantage of the ping pong tables and volleyball courts, or just lounge around on the grass and kick the hell back.

Get sporty at the Olympic Museum

4.  Get sporty at the Olympic Museum

This impressively slick museum worships at the altar of the Olympic movement, whose headquarters are in Lausanne. It was renovated in 2013 to the tune of £36 million and, as you’d hope for that amount of money, it’s definitely worth a visit. Divided into three themes, the permanent exhibition leans on interactive, multimedia displays, including games to test your own physical and psychological skills in Olympic disciplines. The café-restaurant also offers fantastic views of the lake.

Indulge in show-stopping chocolate at Blondel

5.  Indulge in show-stopping chocolate at Blondel

It’s hardly Switzerland’s best kept secret that the chocolate here is among the best in the world, and Lausanne has its share of places to indulge. For proper artisan chocolate, browse the heavily laden shelves at Blondel . You might even be offered chocolate ice cream before you enter the shop – and we all know what your answer’s going to be.

Hang out in Ouchy

6.  Hang out in Ouchy

Lausanne’s lakefront district is the city’s playground. It’s where people come to while away a Sunday afternoon by strolling along the shore of Lake Geneva with an ice-cream, swimming in the lake or at the Bellerive Plage open-air pool or hiring an SUP (stand-up paddleboard). Scattered with posh hotels dating from the 19th century, there’s an extravagant air about the place and you can enjoy some quality people-watching in one of Ouchy’s numerous bars and cafés. It’s also worth joining the tourists for lunch at the Crêperie d’Ouchy  before heading to MGM Café  for a drink on the lovely upstairs terrace.

Eat fondue at La Pinte Besson

7.  Eat fondue at La Pinte Besson

There are numerous places in Lausanne to sample the cheese dish to end all cheese dishes, but historic pub La Pinte Besson is one of the best, and possibly the most atmospheric place to get stuck in to a fondue on a winter’s evening. 

Gaze at the view from Musée et Jardins Botaniques Cantonaux

8.  Gaze at the view from Musée et Jardins Botaniques Cantonaux

Lausanne’s location overlooking beautiful Lake Geneva deserves to be marvelled at. Luckily, there are numerous places from which to do so, the best one being  Musée et Jardins Botaniques Cantonaux  on the Montriond Ridge, where you can combine a stunning view with a stroll in the park. Wind your way up through the terraces to the top for a gorgeous view over the lake and mountains. Alternatively, head up to the protected forest of Sauvabelin  for an even more far-reaching view from the summit of its wooden tower. Lastly, you’ll appreciate just how pretty the Swiss countryside is on a stroll through the Lavaux  vineyards which sit on the sloped lakeside between Lausanne and Montreux.

Sip homegrown wine at Midi 20

9.  Sip homegrown wine at Midi 20

A top Swiss secret is the country’s homegrown wine scene. Be guided towards a first-class tipple at  Midi 20 , where you can taste before you choose. Alternatively,  Le Wine  is another great option for revelling in the high-quality stuff. 

Try fine-dining at Anne-Sophie Pic

10.  Try fine-dining at Anne-Sophie Pic

Offeing gourmet food in plush surroundings at the Beau Rivage Palace, Anne-Sophie Pic is led by France’s first female chef to be awarded three Michelin stars. Drawing on the flavours and seasonal ingredients of her childhood home as well as local Swiss produce, Pic creates imaginative, beautifully presented dishes that have earned the restaurant two Michelin stars and 18 Gault Millau points. The food is in good company, as the Beau Rivage Palace has one of the largest wine collections in Europe.

Shop stylishly at The Liberty Shop

11.  Shop stylishly at The Liberty Shop

This art-inspired boutique brings international fashion to central Lausanne. Founded by globetrotting serial shoppers Gina and Flavio, The Liberty Shop offers prêt-a-porter womenswear from London, Paris, Milan and New York, and the duo’s passion for art, fashion and design shines bright in this cute little boutique. It may be small but The Liberty Shop packs a mighty fashion punch.

Match tapas and cocktails at Eat Me

12.  Match tapas and cocktails at Eat Me

This cocktail bar and tapas restaurant takes inspiration from all over the world to produce an intriguing menu with diverse flavours. Your culinary road-trip could include Japanese tuna sashimi, Jamaican jerk chicken, Vietnamese spring rolls or Tunisian-style salad. Plates are small, so you’ll need a few, but the quality is high. Cocktails are a little pricey, but incredibly classy, with more worldly flavours showcased. Try the Black Pearl, a sweet-sharp mix of rum, ginger, lime and cardamom.

People-watch at Les Arches

13.  People-watch at Les Arches

Sometimes you need a good spot to people-watch, and what better place than under the arches of the Grand Pont, the 19th century bridge that cuts through the centre of town, in a prime position on the edge of Place de l’Europe. From a morning coffee in the sunshine to a pre-clubbing apéro, or just a hard-earned pick-me-up after a strenuous shopping spree, Les Arches is the perfect place to sit and watch Lausanne go by.

Sail away on the CGN Lausanne-Ouchy

14.  Sail away on the CGN Lausanne-Ouchy

Making the most of its position on one of Europe’s largest lakes, Lausanne’s ferry port at Ouchy offers cruises to destinations around the lake in both Switzerland and France. Go on the short hop to French spa town Évian-les-Bains (directly opposite Lausanne), enjoy the ride down to Montreux or float further afield to Geneva and the medieval French village of Yvoire.

Browse Lausanne Market

15.  Browse Lausanne Market

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, Lausanne’s pedestrian streets  buzz with the arrival of the market. Fruit and veg stalls set up shop on Rue de Bourg and the central Place de la Palud, and Place de la Riponne showcases cheeses, charcuterie, bread and an ever-expanding flea market selling paperbacks, CDs, bric-a-brac and secondhand furniture. For a quick snack, look out for the empanada stall on Rue du Pont or join the queue at the popular bread and cake stall in Riponne – their coconut macaroons are divine.

Enjoy panoramic views from the Cathédrale de Lausanne

16.  Enjoy panoramic views from the Cathédrale de Lausanne

Perched atop a hill in the Cité, Lausanne’s 13th century gothic cathedral is the largest in Switzerland. The architecture is impressive, particularly the ornately carved portal and the beautiful rose window based on the signs of the zodiac. There’s a panoramic view of the city’s red roofs, the expanse of Lake Geneva and mountains beyond from the plateau outside. Pro tip: improve your photo by climbing the 225 steps of the belfry. 

Sample eclectic entertainment at Le Lido

17.  Sample eclectic entertainment at Le Lido

This characterful venue in central Lausanne hosts a wide range of entertainment, from comedy and cabaret to karaoke and improv, plus regular club nights on weekends. Its shabby chic style – all mismatched furniture, vintage lampshades and old armchairs – creates an intimate, boudoir feel, which perfectly suits a quirky venue that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s also home to the Lausanne arm of International Comedy Club, which presents big-name English-speaking comedians. 

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How to Spend 1 Day in Lausanne, Switzerland

Darla Uhl

  • January 12, 2023 January 18, 2024

Located on the shores of Lake Geneva , Lausanne is a vibrant, beautiful city. The city offers a rich history, museums, shopping, a lake, and picturesque views of the Alps, making it a must-see while visiting this region. Second only to Geneva in terms of population in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, it is located in canton Vaud . So don’t wait to spend 1 day in Lausanne, Switzerland, and have a great time.

Here are three of the top things you can do in one day in Lausanne to make the most of it:

  • Take a short cruise on Lake Geneva (GetYourGuide, CGN)
  • Tour the city of Lausanne with a self-guided tour (Lausanne Tourism, GetYourGuide) or a FoxTrail game (Viator)
  • Visit the Olympic Museum with tickets via GetYourGuide or Viator

Lausanne Cathedral is worth visiting if you spend one day in Lausanne

Whether you visit Lausanne in the summer or in the winter, you won’t be disappointed. It offers both indoor and outdoor activities for people of all ages. Children will enjoy the aquarium , teenagers will enjoy the lakeside Ouchy and sports fans will enjoy the Olympic museum . One day is not likely to be enough here since there are so many things to do.

Whether you’re looking for a 1-day itinerary or a list of things to do in Lausanne, this article is for you. Here are a few ideas for how you can spend one day in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Lausanne 1 Day Itinerary: What can you do?

Below is a guide that assumes you’ll take the boat at 12:30 PM from Ouchy , but this can be modified if you’d like a later cruise or don’t want to or can’t embark on the cruise at all. Whatever your choice, I recommend the itinerary below to make the most of your visit to Lausanne. Let’s get started.

1. Enjoy a cozy breakfast as you begin your day

tourist info lausanne

The first thing you should do before heading out into the city is to find a comfortable, warm, cozy place to eat breakfast. In case your hotel doesn’t offer a breakfast option, you can walk around Lausanne to find a café .

You don’t have to go far in Lausanne: there are plenty of cafes and restaurants that serve up hot coffee with delicious pastries. Some options are the following:

  • Ajò Café (Rue du Simplon 13, Lausanne) – One of the best coffee shops in Lausanne where you can also stay to have brunch. They are known for their sandwiches, homemade cakes, and croissants.
  • Coffee Shop Sleepy Bear (Rue du Simplon 3A, Lausanne) – A lovely little coffee shop with its own unique and yummy house blend of roasted coffee every day.
  • Boulangerie – Pâtisserie – Confiserie – Salon de thé, chez Séverine et Luca (Av. de la Gare 2, Lausanne) – Offering an array of freshly baked bread, sandwiches, pastries, salads, and delightful treats, this bakery and tearoom nestled a stone’s throw away from Lausanne’s train station.
  • Ordinary Man Coffee (Rue du Petit-Chêne 28, Lausanne) – A cozy coffee shop near the train station with amazing coffee and friendly staff.

2.   Visit Lausanne Cathedral

Lausanne Cathedral is worth visiting if you spend one day in Lausanne

I recommend visiting Lausanne Cathedral after breakfast. There are few Gothic cathedrals as beautiful as this one in Switzerland. The Lausanne Cathedral opens at 9:00 a.m.

tourist info lausanne

Located in the center of the city, this picturesque cathedral is one of the city’s highlights. The viewing platform outside the cathedral provides a panoramic view of the city and the Alps beyond.

If you would like to learn more about this beautiful Cathedral, read our article: Lausanne Cathedral: All You Need to Know in a Nutshell .

After visiting the Cathedral, why not head out on a walking tour of the city?

3. Stroll around the City on a Walking Tour

Lausanne's Old Town is worth visiting if you spend one day in Lausanne

For anyone planning to join the cruise around Lake Geneva , I recommend strolling around the city center for an hour or two before heading to Ouchy . I recommend the following four self-guided tours :

  • Unusual Walk in the City Center by Lausanne Tourism (free): This self-guided city tour takes you to Bel-air Tower, Grand-Pont, Rue de Bourg, Lausanne Cathedral, La Cité, Rue Cité-Devant, Escaliers du Marché, and the Town Hall. You can check the details on Lausanne Tourism’s website by clicking here .
  • Lausanne Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Audio Tour (GetYourGuide): This self-guided, interactive smartphone tour lets you discover interesting facts about the city while admiring it at your own pace.
  • FoxTrail Lausanne (Viator): The virtual fox trail will lead you around the city of Lausanne in this 2.5-hour scavenger hunt. A free hotline is also available if you need assistance.
  • Lausanne: City Introduction in-App Guide and Audio (GetYourGuide): This one is perfect for those who prefer classic tours rather than scavenger hunts. This audio tour will help you navigate Lausanne and give you information about the city. You can take the tour in a variety of languages, including English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch.

Should you skip the cruise or there’s none available, I recommend taking the Panoramic Stroll (free) as recommended by Lausanne Tourism . This walking tour will probably take longer than the two above because you will have to travel to Sauvabelin , which is approximately half an hour away from the city center.

There are stunning panoramic views of the entire city, Lake Geneva, and the mountains beyond atop Sauvabelin Tower . It is an easy enough climb and free to visit.

Sauvabelin Tower, a bit out of the city center, is worth visiting if you spend one day in Lausanne

From the Sauvabelin Tower , you will walk back through Hermitage Park, the St.Maire Castle Esplanade, Lausanne Cathedral, Flon, Montbenon, the Collège du Belvédère, Languedoc Hillside, and Le Crêt de Montriond while enjoying multiple panoramic views. With its gardens, grassy area, lake, and children’s attractions, the Crêt de Montriond makes for a pleasant place to spend some time.

4.   Cruise along Lake Geneva

Cruising on Lake Geneva is worth doing if you spend one day in Lausanne

I highly recommend taking part in the 2-Hour Lake Geneva Cruise if you can obtain a ticket. The cruise will take you from Lausanne to Vevey. As you look out from there, you will see the nearby French and Swiss Alps, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux vineyards.

Your tickets can be booked on GetYourGuide.com ( Lausanne: 2-Hour Lake Geneva Cruise Along Lavaux Vineyards )or CGN.ch .

You can take a cruise that leaves at 12:30 PM if you want to enjoy lunch on board. To make the most of your one day in Lausanne, I recommend taking this trip and having lunch on the ship. In this way, you will avoid having to find a restaurant in the city during midday.

5. Check out a Museum or Two in Lausanne

tourist info lausanne

You might want to stop at the Olympic Museum after the cruise or a walking tour.

Lausanne is the home of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The International Olympic Committee, a non-governmental organization, is the committee responsible for organizing the Olympic games. As a result, it stands to reason that Lausanne will also have its own Olympic Museum.

Olympic Museum Lausanne presents the history of the Olympics, sports equipment used by various athletes, interactive multimedia and games, and much more. The museum holds the world’s largest Olympic archive. A total of 10,000 artifacts are housed inside the museum.

You can obtain your tickets for the Olympic Museum in advance via GetYourGuide or Viator .

Plateforme 10 is worth visiting if you spend one day in Lausanne

Several other museums are available to you if you would prefer to explore something other than the Olympic Museum. Lausanne also has other interesting museums and an aquarium.

The following are some of the most noteworthy Museums (and aquarium) you can discover during your day in Lausanne :

  • Aquatis Aquarium Vivarium : The Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium is the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe. A total of 3,500 square meters are dedicated to over 10,000 freshwater species. As well as a variety of fish, there are also a variety of reptiles and amphibians inside their vivarium. You will also be able to see a rainforest as well as a nursery with baby reptiles inside the building.
  • Plateforme 10 : Lausanne’s new art museum, Plateforme 10, is a fusion of several museums. These museums include the Fine Arts Museum, the Photography Museum, as well as the Contemporary Design Museum, and Applied Arts Museum. In addition to displaying ancient and modern artwork, the museum also hosts numerous temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
  • Palais de Rumine : Palais de Rumine is a lovely Florentine-style building that houses several museums such as the Cantonal Museum of Zoology, the Cantonal Museum of Geology, the Cantonal Museum of Money, as well as the Cantonal Museum of Archeology and History. It’s open Tuesdays through Sundays.

6. Relax in Ouchy at the End of the Day

Ouchy is worth visiting if you spend one day in Lausanne

I highly recommend concluding your day with a stroll in Ouchy followed by a tasty dinner in a nearby restaurant. Other options include Montbenon Esplanade or Crêt de Montriond .

Ouchy is Lausanne’s most popular harbor on the shores of Lake Geneva. There are many things you can do here, including relaxing, having fun with friends, exercising, swimming, and more.

If you would like to read more about Ouchy, you can check out our article Ouchy, Lausanne: A Haven for Everyone .

For those who wish to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant to end the day, you have the several options: Restaurant de l’Hôtel de Ville de Crissier, Anne-Sophie Pic au Beau-Rivage Palace, Le Berceau des Sens, La Table du Lausanne Palace, La Grappe d’Or, and Auberge Communale Le Mont.

Recommended Hotels in Lausanne, Switzerland

tourist info lausanne

Should you need some assistance choosing a hotel in Lausanne , here are some suggestions:

  • Beau-Rivage Palace (5-star) – The Beau-Rivage Palace is a luxury hotel located in Switzerland and one of the best hotels in Europe. Since 1861, it has been a popular address for celebrities and politicians, such as Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, and Nelson Mandela. This beautiful hotel features not only gorgeous architecture and antiques, but also excellent service, two swimming pools, a spa, and a fitness center. 
  • Lausanne Palace (5-star) – Located in Lausanne, this elegant 5-star hotel is a historic landmark. Located near the Montbenon Esplanade, it features views of Le Flon or Lake Geneva.  The hotel features an indoor pool, spa, fitness center, and Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant.
  • Château d’Ouchy (4-star) – Located in Ouchy, Lausanne, this renovated medieval castle near the lake has an original donjon. In addition to an outdoor pool, there is a restaurant and bar at the hotel. 
  • Alpha-Palmiers by Fassbind (4-star) – Our favorite hotel in Lausanne, we have stayed here at least three times. It is located near Lausanne’s train station and offers clean rooms at a reasonable price. There is a Thai restaurant, a classic Swiss restaurant, and a bar. The hotel has a tropical garden in the middle. 
  • Hotel Angleterre & Résidence (4-star) – On the shore of Lake Geneva, the Hotel Angleterre & Résidence is 12 minutes away from the lake. This unique hotel is spread over 6 historical pavilions dating from the 18th, 19th, and 21st centuries. The hotel features a swimming pool, a beachfront, and a fitness center. Here you can enjoy a good breakfast or a fine dining meal at the Italian restaurant.
  • Hôtel du Port (3-star) – Located near the lake and harbor in Lausanne, this small hotel is family-run. The hotel offers cozy rooms, fine cuisine, and beautiful views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. 

Summary: 1 Day in Lausanne, Switzerland

Lausanne View

As you can see, you will not run out of options on what to do in Lausanne in one day. You can stretch the Lausanne One Day Itinerary offered here easily to another 1 or 2 more days. And if you would like to find more ideas on what to do in the Lake Geneva region, check out our related articles below.

You may swap out one of the options above if you would like to visit other areas in Lausanne by checking out the list below. The following are other things you can do in Lausanne on a 1-day trip :

  • Roman Museum and Gallo-Roman Ruins – Visit the past with what remains from Lousanna Vicus – the ancient village dating from 15 BC.
  • Flon District – A living area with restaurants, bars, clubs, boutiques, cinemas, and exhibition spaces.
  • Vidy – The place to be for those who are active. You can play sports here such as football, hockey, beach volleyball, basketball, and more. There is also a beach here (Plage de Vidy).
  • Musée Historique Lausanne – Lausanne’s Historical Museum features Lausanne’s rich past with its collections. The museum is located near Lausanne Cathedral.
  • Lutry – A nearby medieval village with old rooftops, fantastic views, and a popular beach.
  • Mon-Repos Park – With huge lawns, exotic birds, playgrounds, and structures, this park is open to the public.
  • Rôtillon Neighborhood – One of the oldest neighborhoods in Lausanne, it has small shops and trendy cafés.
  • Espace des Inventions – An interactive science and technique museum that is suitable for children.

What I would personally recommend after exploring Lausanne is also visiting Montreux , Vevey , and Geneva nearby.

tourist info lausanne

The entire region around Lake Geneva is gorgeous. We visit it at least once or twice a year from the German-speaking part of Switzerland. It is highly recommended to spend at least one day there, if not a week. Even after visiting several times, we still haven’t seen everything. Enjoy!

* Disclosure: By clicking on our affiliate links, you may support TouringSwitzerland.com while incurring no additional costs. We appreciate your support!

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tourist info lausanne

Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.

Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.

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Home » Travel Guides » Switzerland » 15 Best Things to Do in Lausanne (Switzerland)

15 Best Things to Do in Lausanne (Switzerland)

The world’s Olympic Capital, the city of Lausanne is draped on steep slopes on the north shore of Lake Geneva. Both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport are here, and there’s a new world-class Olympic Museum if you want to pull that sporting thread. The Romanesque and Gothic cathedral is Lausanne’s reference point, and still bursting with medieval decoration despite the turmoil of the Reformation.

Given the city’s almost vertiginous layout there are dozens of places where you’ll be stopped in your tracks by the sight of Lake Geneva and its mountains. And on the shore is Ouchy, a chic setting for easy walks, bathing in the lake and a place to catch ferries or pleasure cruises on one of Europe’s great lakes.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Lausanne :

1. Lausanne Cathedral

Lausanne Cathedral

The city’s solemn cathedral went up during the 13th century and was consecrated in 1275. That sound in the dead of night is the Lookout, who barks out the hours between 22:00 and 02:00 365 days a year and one of the last of his kind in Europe.

One of the people to thank for the cathedral’s current appearance is the French master restorer Viollet-le-Duc.

He led the restoration in the 1870s as his last big project before he passed away.

Look for the sandstone image of the Virgin and Child in the Narthex, and the 13th-century sculptural figures on the southern portal where there are still traces of medieval paint.

Also from the 13th century on the southern facade is the rose window, ahead of its time and painted even before the famous rose window at Chartres.

2. Collection de l’Art Brut

Collection De L'Art Brut

Up the slope, in the outbuildings of the 18th-century Château de Beaulieu is one of the definitive collections of Art Brut.

Most of these works were gathered by Jean Dubuffet, founder of the movement.

The pieces come from all sorts of backgrounds: There are children’s drawings, pieces of folk art and paintings by patients in psychiatric hospitals, but one uniting characteristic is that all the artists exhibited here were on the margins of the art world.

For this reason, and because they weren’t creating art for attention or financial gain, their art is regarded as more authentic.

Each piece is accompanied by a fascinating biography of the artist.

Maybe the most acclaimed was Aloïse Corbaz, a woman born in Lausanne and suffering from schizophrenia.

3. Olympic Museum

Olympic Museum

As the home city to the International Olympic Committee, Lausanne is essentially the Olympic Capital.

So it’s apt that you can get the inside track on one of the world’s great sporting events.

The museum is south of the centre at Ouchy, commanding a view over Lake Geneva from the top of the Olympic Park.

The permanent exhibition is arranged over three floors, each dealing with the Olympics from a different angle: Olympic World on the ground floor chronicles the games’ ancient history and their modern resurrection at the end of the 19th century.

Olympic Games documents all the sporting events held at each Olympics.

And on the top floor in the interactive Olympic Spirit exhibition you can find out the skills needed to be an Olympian, testing your physical and mental prowess.

4. Ouchy Promenade

Ouchy Promenade

When the sun is out, the kilometre-long walkway beside Lake Geneva is a slice of heaven.

On weekends the promenade thrums with families and couples out for strolls and pausing to savour the sight of the lake and the Chablais Alps.

There’s a lot happening on Place de la Navigation, be it a market, public concert.

And if you’re by yourself you can bring a book for an hour or so, and watch the CGN ferries coming and going at the busiest port on the whole lake.

This quarter is as posh as any in Lausanne, where stately hotels like the Château d’Ouchy and the Beau-Rivage take prime position on the lakefront.

Come here from the centre of Lausanne on the M2 line descending an almost impossible gradient.

5. Musée de l’Élysée

Musée De L'Élysée

One of Europe’s great photography museums is in another elegant 18th-century mansion overlooking the lake.

There are more than 100,000 photographs in these galleries, many produced with the earliest techniques: You can study daguerrotype , albumen and ambrotype prints and follow photography’s evolution right through to digital prints.

Feted Swiss photographers like Ella Maillart and Nicolas Bouvier bequeathed their life’s collections to the museum.

And in 2011 the museum purchased Charlie Chaplin’s personal album, containing 10,000 photographs recording his whole career.

A new, state-of-the-art museum building is under construction, and everything will be transferred in 2020.

6. Place de la Palud

Place De La Palud

A wedge-shaped pedestrian square in the centre of Lausanne, Place de la Palud is ruled by the 17th-century City Hall and old apartment buildings.

On the ground floor the building’s arcade leads you to a passageway continuing through to Place de la Louve.

On the east side of the square is the Fontaine de la Justice, started in the 1500s.

From here you’ll get a good view of the City Hall’s tower, as well as the Horloge de la Palud, which was assembled for the Swiss National Exhibition in 1964: At the chime of the hour figures representing Lausanne’s big historical personalities make a round of the clock before returning inside.

7. Esplanade de Montbenon

Esplanade De Montbenon

So we know that Lausanne is blessed with exhilarating panoramas.

But the one at Esplanade de Montbenon rivals the best in the city.

In this manicured, verdant space you’ll be inclined just to sit and stare at the scenery.

But there are some interesting monuments to seek out Montbenon.

At the top of the esplanade is the Palais de Justice de Montbenon, a grand Beaux-Arts edifice from the 1880s.

Until 1921 this housed the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland.

The Casino de Montbenon is another former home of the IOC, hosting the committee from 1915 to 1922 and today containing the Swiss Film Archive.

Check the schedule because the “Cinématographe” puts on some big events like the Lausanne Underground Film and Music Festival in October.

8. Tour de Sauvabelin

Sauvabelin Forest

In the Sauvabelin Forest at the city’s loftiest point is a viewing tower constructed only from wood.

This was raised in 2003 and is unusual for its double helix staircase; one set guiding you to the observation platform and another to take you down again.

It is 151 steps to the top and once you’re there you can bask in dreamy views Lake Geneva, the Alps, The Vaud Alps, French Alps and Lausanne’s cityscape.

The timber for this 35-metre structure comes from the forests outside the city and it’s composed mostly of Douglas fir, but also spruce and some larch wood.

9. Fondation de l’Hermitage

Fondation De L'Hermitage

In the Vaudois neighbourhood, up the slope from the centre of Lausanne is the handsome “l’Hermitage” manor house from the 1850s.

The house is nested in its own park, blessed with another dreamy perspective of the lake, mountains and the Cathedral towers.

This view was famously recorded by the great landscape artist Camille Corot.

In the 70s l’Hermitage was bequeathed to the city, and at the same time an art foundation was set up, with a collection that has now swollen to hundreds of works.

These are never permanently on display but are shown at superb temporary exhibitions.

Since 1984 there have been shows for Giacometti, Hopper, Magritte and Monet, and just in 2016 there were exhibitions featuring pieces by luminaries like Signac and Soulages.

10. Parc de Mon Repos

Parc De Mon Repos

This rambling English park is planted with exotic trees like giant sequoias and is all you need for a bit of repose.

The layout that greets us today is from the first decades of the 19th century, when the French architect Louis-Emmanuel-Aimé Damesme reconfigured the park and its 18th-century villa.

From 1922-1967 this building was where the IOC would sit.

There are some minor sights around the park, like an outdoor theatre where Voltaire once produced a play and an orangery that is now a studio for the sculptor Yves Dana.

What looks like ruins of a medieval tower is actually a folly in the Romantic style from the time of the park’s creation in the 1820s.

11. Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (MUDAC)

Museum Of Contemporary Design And Applied Arts

MUDAC makes a name for its temporary exhibitions, and stages around six shows a year.

Some are designed by one artist alone, in which they go as far as creating their own scenography, while others are travelling exhibitions organised by museums around the word.

There are also a couple of permanent displays: One on the second floor showcases contemporary glass design.

And in the basement you can view the personal collection of the historian Jacques-Édouard Berger.

In the second half of the 20th century he amassed a very diverse assortment of artefacts from the Far East and ancient Egypt.

The stately building containing this museum is actually a compound of medieval houses, all with a 17th-century facade.

12. Palais de Rumine

Palais De Rumine

When the Russian aristocrat Gabriel de Rumine passed away he left a fortune to the city to build a public venue.

The result is the Palais de Rumine, constructed at the turn of the century and with architecture borrowed from the Florentine Renaissance.

You can find the palace on Place de la Riponne, and there are no fewer than five museums inside.

The pick of these is the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts, which has a fund of around 10,000 works.

There’s a large collection of illustration by the beloved Art Nouveau printmaker Théophile Steinlen, a native of Lausanne, as well as other Swiss-French artists like Félix Vallotton and Charles Gleyre.

13. Escaliers du Marché

Escaliers Du Marché

Maybe the most charming walk in the Old Town is up the covered wooden stairway linking Place de la Palud to the Esplanade de la Cathédrale.

The first mention of these steps goes back to the 14th century, and the present design is from the 1710s.

Alongside it is a cobblestone street, which has terraces to make the slope less precarious.

You’ll be left in no doubt about the challenges of building a city on such steep ground, and the ingenuity to make this terrain navigable.

14. Rolex Learning Center

Rolex Learning Center

A little way west of the centre is an ultra-modern mixed space designed as the campus for the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

Under a wavy canopy are a library, food court, cafe, meeting places, workspaces, multipurpose hall and various other student resources.

The roof is riddled with openings for courtyards, and it all adds up to a mind-blowing construction, imagined by the Pritzker prize-winning Japanese duo SANAA. They were awarded the job ahead of big-hitters like Rem Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid, and the campus was finally opened in 2010. Visitors are free to come and look around, and you could grab a bite at the cafe.

15. Lake Excursions

Geneva

You’d be missing out if you didn’t take some kind of boat trip from the port at Ouchy.

You could make a quick crossing in a modern vessel to Geneva or somewhere like Thonon-les-Baines on the French side of the lake.

But you may prefer a more leisurely pace, and for this CGN, the ferry operator, has a small armada of heritage boats built in Winterthur in the early 20th century.

There are five “Belle Époque Paddle Steamers” sailing to many places around the lake: Savoie and Simplon for example make slow sightseeing cruises to Geneva and back, while the Montreaux makes a round trip to the picturesque Château de Chillon on an island by the eastern shore.

15 Best Things to Do in Lausanne (Switzerland):

  • Lausanne Cathedral
  • Collection de l'Art Brut
  • Olympic Museum
  • Ouchy Promenade
  • Musée de l'Élysée
  • Place de la Palud
  • Esplanade de Montbenon
  • Tour de Sauvabelin
  • Fondation de l'Hermitage
  • Parc de Mon Repos
  • Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (MUDAC)
  • Palais de Rumine
  • Escaliers du Marché
  • Rolex Learning Center
  • Lake Excursions

Travelling King

Ultimate Travel Guide to Lausanne

Lausanne is Switzerland’s fourth-largest city and resides on Lake Geneva (or Lac Léman to the French and locals) across the French border from Évian-les-Bains.

While most avid travellers will have heard about Geneva, the other major city on the shores of the lake, Lausanne is far less frequented by travellers. It’s a historic, picturesque and youthful city in Switzerland that has a lot to offer those looking for an exciting city break.

But if you have already heard of Lausanne (Lausanne pronunciation is simply ‘law-san’), that’s probably because this city is home to the International Olympic Committee HQ and it even has an Olympic museum.

Lausanne, Switzerland- Downtown Lausanne, Place Centrale

Around one-third of the citizens are students meaning Lausanne’s nightlife, especially around the Flon district, is the best in the country and there are always lots of events and things to do.

Ultimately, Lausanne is a fantastic city for an offbeat, exciting city break if you love lakeside and mountainous views, great food and wine and out of the ordinary activities. 

This ultimate travel guide to Lausanne will show you all the most beautiful places in Lausanne, what to expect when visiting, where to stay in Lausanne and things to do in Lausanne which will help you in planning a Lausanne Switzerland city break.

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Table of Contents

How to get to Lausanne

Lausanne is reachable by plane via Geneva Airport. Geneva is an international airport accessible from all over Europe and the Middle East via airlines such as EasyJet, Jet2 and the country’s own airline SWISS.

Direct trains between Geneva Airport and Lausanne travel up to four times per hour and take only 50 minutes. Zurich Airport is also an option with direct trains to Lausanne in under three hours. 

Switzerland’s rail network runs like a dream and is efficient and easy to use. TGV services travel directly to Lausanne from cities like Paris in less than four hours and Milan in just over three hours.

Passenger ferries cross Lake Geneva from the small, lakeside towns in France daily but note there aren’t any car ferries. Luckily, driving in Switzerland is almost as efficient as the rail network as highways between cities are well planned if you’re doing a Swiss road trip. 

Parked commercial aircraft at Geneva Cointrin International Airport in Geneva, Switzerland.

What to expect in Lausanne

Switzerland is a notoriously expensive country to most visitors so be prepared to budget for this trip. Although, since Lausanne is a student city, there are more deals to be had on drinks and meals out than there are in other Swiss cities. 

The currency is the Swiss Franc and there are plenty of ATMs and money changers in Lausanne if you are travelling from one of the neighbouring countries of France, Germany or Italy. Normally, a service charge is automatically included on restaurant bills and no further tip is expected. Tipping is welcomed but not expected in Lausanne.

Italian, German and French are all official languages in Switzerland and Lausanne is in the French-speaking region, but English is widely spoken especially in the metropolitan areas. Switzerland is not a part of the EU but is part of the Schengen agreement and does have some EU privileges. 

How to get around Lausanne

If there is one thing Switzerland does well, it’s public transport. Lausanne’s main city centre is very accessible on foot and Lausanne’s main train station is only a ten-minute walk into the heart of the city. But if you want to explore different neighbourhoods you will need to use public transport. 

The main method of public transport in Lausanne is via electric bus. By booking a hotel in Lausanne, you receive a free public transport pass for the buses for the duration of your trip including some discounts on activities so that’s a great perk to take full advantage of while you’re in Lausanne.

The city also has metro lines that allow users to venture out into the wider areas like Prilly, Renens and Epalinges so if you’re staying further out of the city in an Airbnb to save on accommodation costs you can easily and affordably travel into Lausanne. 

Lausanne, Switzerland - Old trolleybus NAW Lauber 91T with a trailer in the city street.

The best time to visit Lausanne

Like most countries in this part of Western Europe, the best time to visit Lausanne for great weather is the summer season June-September.

This part of Switzerland experiences mild weather and the temperature is a moderate 25 degrees Celsius during summer. Although mild weather means changeable so don’t leave your umbrella at home! Prices for accommodation and flights will be the highest in the summer.

Winter in Lausanne is bitterly cold, though the snow on the mountains makes it a very picturesque city to visit. The shoulder months of May-June and September-October are the sweet spot of mild weather without the price hikes.

July is a great time to visit Lausanne if you’re a music lover as the Montreux Jazz Festival is the second-largest jazz festival in the world (after Montreal in Canada) and one of the most prestigious, biggest festivals in Europe held on the banks of Lake Geneva. 

Winter evening in Lausanne. Skyline of Lausanne, Switzerland as seen from the Cathedral hill at sunset zoomed-in on the tower of St-Francois Church.

Things to do in Lausanne

Olympic museum.

One of the more unusual and impressive things about Lausanne is that it’s home to the International Olympics Committee Headquarters.

It was started in France but moved to Lausanne in WWI. Considering how popular and important the Olympic Games are to a lot of people, it’s no surprise that the museum is often the prime reason travellers want to visit Lausanne.

The museum and sculpture park hold over 10,000 items including equipment, torches, medals, video and interactive exhibitions where visitors can test their sports abilities.

The exhibitions will teach you all about the history of the games, notable events and what being an Olympian is all about. Couples, solo travellers and families alike will all enjoy the Olympic museum . 

Lausanne, Switzerland - modern sculpture in front of the Olympic museum, on the shore of Lake Leman in Lausanne, Switzerland

Lausanne Cathedral

Situated in Lausanne’s hilly and cobbled old town centre, Lausanne’s Cathedral dates back to the 12th-century and is a stunning example of European Gothic architecture.

It’s known for having a beautiful rose glass window, a well-equipped belfry with seven bells and a unique organ.

Guided tours of the grand organ are available in French, German and English and the Cathedral is not to be missed on a trip to Lausanne. 

Lausanne, Switzerland - : The Cathedral hill seen from the Bessieres bridge

Ouchy is a port neighbourhood in south Lausanne on the banks of Lake Geneva that used to be its own little fishing village.

Ouchy promenade is a gorgeous place to go for a stroll and enjoy the views out onto the lake. This is where the Olympic museum is as well as all the best luxury hotels. 

Ouchy boasts many pristine parks such as the Esplanade Emile-Henri-Jaques-Dalcroze and there are plenty of bars on the waterfront for you to sip a cocktail while watching the sunset over the lake with the alps in the background.

Lausanne Switzerland - Motorboat with man wakeboarding on Lake Geneva embankment near Chateau Ouchy in Lausanne Switzerland.

Lake Geneva

Of course, looking out onto the lake is great but one of the best things to do in Lausanne is to actually get out onto Lake Geneva itself and there are so many activities.

If you’re feeling adventurous you might want to try wakeboarding, windsurfing or hiring a boat and rowing yourself. 

If you’d rather relax and enjoy the views, there are plenty of boat trips and tours you can find in Ouchy that will sail you around the lake. Not all of it however as Lake Geneva is quite big!

Lausanne, Switzerland - Passenger ship docked at pier in Lausanne Ouchy port, Switzerland on Lake Leman (Geneva Lake) on sunny summer day

Lausanne has a fantastic mix of old buildings, squares and epic views as well as up-and-coming trendy neighbourhoods like Flon thanks to its young, student population.

It was an undesirable neighbourhood filled with abandoned warehouses until the end of the 1990s when those warehouses were turned into cool, industrial nightclubs and bars like MAD, Switzerland’s biggest club which attracts partygoers from all over the country.

A true hipster neighbourhood, Flon is also the place to go if you’re into vintage fashion and modern, innovative art and it’s not far from Old Town, either. 

Lausanne, Switzerland- Downtown Lausanne, Place Bel-Air

Musée de l’Élysée

If you’re into quirky museums like the Olympic museum then Lausanne has plenty to offer. Another specialist museum is Musée de l’Élysée which is entirely dedicated to photography in a stunningly grand 18th-century mansion.

The gallery is largely accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and even has a permanent exhibition named ‘Art for All’ which features photographs in other exhibitions that have been adapted so people with reduced visibility can feel the photographs.  

Sauvabelin Tower

Everyone loves a good viewpoint and if you also like getting back to nature, even on a city break, then visiting the Sauvabelin Tower in Sauvabelin park in the north part of Lausanne is the perfect activity.

Easily accessible by metro, you’ll have to climb all 300 steps to the top of the wooden tower to reach the viewing platform where you can overlook the entire city of Lausanne and over the lake to the Alps. Absolutely stunning views and don’t forget to bring your camera!

View from a lookout to the forest.

What to eat in Lausanne

Switzerland’s traditional cuisine is all about cheese, chocolate, fresh fish and farm-to-table seasonal ingredients and Lausanne has all of this and more. Café du Grütlí has been serving classic Swiss cheese fondue since the end of the 1800s and it’s still the restaurant in Lausanne that all the locals head to for a classic Swiss meal. 

With Lausanne being on a lake, a lake fish called féra is hyper-local to the area and can be found on the menu at Brasserie de Montbenon in the Ouchy area of Lausanne. It’s a great restaurant to visit in summer because they have a beautiful outdoor terrace where you can enjoy great food with a view of the lake.

And if you’re a chocolate lover then you need to check out La Chocolatiere which is well-known for being the best Swiss chocolate shop in the city. 

Gourmet Swiss fondue dinner on a winter evening with assorted cheeses on a board alongside a heated pot of cheese fondue with two forks dipping bread

Where to stay in Lausanne

Budget – Even if you wouldn’t normally stay in hostels when you travel, due to Switzerland’s much higher prices you may need to consider staying in cheaper accommodation to stay within your budget. Luckily, the Lausanne Guesthouse Centre is extremely well located only a 7-minute walk from Lausanne Cathedral. They offer both dorms and affordable private rooms and a cosy outdoor terrace for guests.

Mid-range – Mövenpick Hotel Lausanne is an ideal option for a mid-range hotel in the Ouchy neighbourhood as it has some luxe touches like modern bathrooms and huge, light windows with views over the lake without the hefty price tag. Hotel du Boulevard is a good alternative near Lausanne central station. If you’re travelling into Lausanne via car, there are some great apartments on Airbnb on the outskirts of the city. 

Luxury – There is no shortage of unbelievably glamorous 5-star hotels in Lausanne if you have a bit more to spend and all the best ones are on the banks of Lake Geneva in the Ouchy neighbourhood. Hotel Beau-Rivage Palace ’s rooms are skillfully decorated, so you have all the modern amenities you need with classic country house furnishings. Hotel Royal Savoy Lausanne is equally luxurious if you prefer more modern, minimalist hotels.

Lausanne, Switzerland, Luxury hotel on Lake Leman. Bright sunny summer day.

Tours to do in Lausanne

Medieval tour.

Lausanne has a long and epic history dating back to the Roman Empire and there are still lots of fascinating buildings, statues and parts of the city that you can explore way back as far as the Iron Age to learn more about Lausanne’s diverse past. A must-do tour for history lovers!

City of Lausanne. Cityscape image of downtown Lausanne, Switzerland during twilight blue hour.

Walking Tour

A walking tour is a great way to learn more about a city like Lausanne which is fairly compact and easily explored on foot, despite some big hills.

Check out all Lausanne’s top attractions and learn more about the city’s history from a knowledgeable, local guide. 

Outdoor portrait of beautiful young woman walking down the road in the city, wearing black cami top and denim jeans. Back view. Image taken in Lausanne downtown, place Bel Air, Switzerland

Hiring a local photographer for a holiday photoshoot is becoming more popular amongst travellers because they’re a fantastic way to not only get professional portraits but also capture the memories from an enjoyable holiday.

Where better to have proper photographs taken than somewhere as beautiful as Lausanne with Lake Geneva as a backdrop?

Day trips from Lausanne

Lausanne is very scenic and charming but the countryside around the city is equally breath-taking.

This day trip to Montreux , which is only around 30-minutes’ drive from Lausanne, will allow you to explore lots of different places in this beautiful wine region including Chillon Castle and the Charlie Chaplin World museum.

The famous silent actor died in this region of Switzerland and this museum is dedicated to his life’s work. 

Montreux, Switzerland - The most beautiful steam boat called La Suisse with Swiss flag waving at the stern approaching Montreux pier on Swiss Riviera, Vaud, Switzerland on summer day

The Lavaux vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage site and are situated just outside of Lausanne so it would be such a shame not to see the vineyards and sample some of the region’s delicious wine during your trip.

Visit several wineries in the area and learn all about the local grapes while enjoying the stunning Swiss Alps in the background. 

Amazing winemaking village Rivaz in the Swiss Lavaux wine region. Houses and vineyard located on the slopes by the stunning Lake Geneva. Natural landscapes in Switzerland. European travel destination

Don’t like the idea of just being able to see the Swiss Alps from your hotel room window in Lausanne and want to visit them for yourself?

To make the most of your trip, why not book a hassle-free day tour to the mountainous town of Interlaken and experience them for yourself.

Take the cable car up Jungfrau mountain, explore the Ice Palace in Aletsch Glacier and experience what it’s like being at the ‘Top of Europe.’

Turquoise Lake Brienz in Interlaken, Switzerland from above from Harder Kulm. Amazing Swiss landscape. Green hills, Swiss Alps. Summer Alpine landscapes. Nature

Recommended tours in Lausanne

  • Chillon Castle Day Tour from Lausanne
  • Lavaux Panoramic Wine Tour
  • Gruyere Day Trip with Chocolate Factory and visit of a Medieval Village
  • Interlaken and Paragliding Experience from Lausanne
  • Interlaken and Jungfrau day trip from Lausanne
  • UNESCO Panoramic Wine Tour
  • Riviera tour with long cruise in Montreux and Lavaux Unesco Tour from Lausanne
  • Winter Gruyères, chocolate and cheese tour from Lausanne
  • Winter Swiss Riviera Day Including Montreux and Chaplin’s World from Lausanne

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Ultimate Travel Guide to Lausanne

Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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Lausanne Tourist Information and Tourism

(lausanne, vaud, switzerland), lausanne tourist information and tourism: top sights, more lausanne information / fast facts and orientation.

  • Country: Switzerland
  • Location: next to Lake Geneva, western Switzerland / canton of Vaud / north-east Geneva
  • Status: city
  • Area: approximately 16 square miles / 41 square kilometres
  • Population: approximately 140,000
  • Language: mainly French
  • Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • Time zone: UTC / GMT +1
  • Country dialling code: +41
  • Telephone area code: 021
  • Average daily Lausanne January temperature: 4°C / 39°F
  • Average daily Lausanne July temperature: 25°C / 77°F

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Lausanne, switzerland | expat city guide.

Lausanne, Switzerland | Expat city guide

Are you visiting, studying  or moving to Lausanne? Or perhaps you live in the city and are looking for something new to do. Whatever the case, check out our guide for information and things to do in the city.

Guide to Lausanne

Lausanne is the capital city of the French-speaking Canton of Vaud . It is situated on the shore of Lake Geneva, the largest of the lakes in Switzerland . The city has long been a centre for international sport, even being recognised as the “Olympic Capital” by the International Olympic Committee, which is based in the city. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is also located in the city, as well as the VAR facility for FIFA and UEFA football competitions, located in the nearby centre of Nyon.

Lausanne is also home to numerous and varied heritage sites and boasts some of the most beautiful architecture you can find in Europe. From museums to grand monuments to fabulous gardens, there really is no shortage of things to do in the city.

A short history of Lausanne

The story of Lausanne begins with the Romans, who built a military camp called Lousanna on the edge of Lake Geneva. On the hill above the camp, a fort, known as Lausodunon looked out across the lake. The camp eventually grew into a new town known as Losanna .

Conflict with Bern and the Helvetic Republic

Following the fall of the Roman Empire, and the subsequent invasion of Alemanni tribes, the inhabitants of the town moved the town from the banks of the lake to its current centre, the La Cité district, due to its hilly surroundings being easier to defend. The settlement merged with other nearby settlements, which came under the power of the Bishop of Lausanne, a prince of the Holy Roman Empire.

The bishops ruled over the town until Lausanne was invaded by the forces of the city of Bern . The Bernese instigated the Protestant Reformation, and the bishop was forced to flee. The Bernese occupied the city until 1798, when France invaded Switzerland after the French Revolution. Under Napoleon, the Old Swiss Confederacy was dismantled and the Helvetic Republic was introduced in its place.

Napoleon also endorsed the Lemanic Republic, a French-speaking canton to replace the control of the German-speaking Canton of Bern . Following the fall of the Helvetic Republic in 1803, Vaud was restored as a newly sovereign canton. It was at this time that Lausanne was established as the capital of Vaud.

Modern History

In the 21st century, the city hosted the signing of two international treaties, one of which was the Treaty of Lausanne, which formally ended the conflict between the Ottoman Empire and Allied forces after World War I.

Lausanne has since developed into an important cultural capital, becoming particularly frequented by European artists. The great T.S. Eliot composed his famous poem, " The Waste Land ", while being treated in Lausanne. Voltaire, Charles Dickens and Lord Byron are just some of the famous names to have resided in the city.

The city also developed into an important centre for sport, hosting the International Olympic Committee, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the European Athletic Association and around 50 other international sports associations.

What to do in Lausanne: Sightseeing and Activities

If you’re visiting Lausanne, or even if you live in the city, check out our guide to some of the best things to see and do around the capital of Vaud for you and your family .

Check out the Olympic Museum

If you’re in Lausanne, you must take the time to visit the Olympic Museum. Situated at the top of the Olympic Park, the museum commands a beautiful view over Lake Geneva. It houses over 10.000 artefacts from the Games, making it the largest archive for Olympic sports in the world. The museum also houses interactive exhibits, making it a great place for a family outing.

The sprawling Olympic Park is also a great place to spend an afternoon. Boasting beautiful gardens and numerous artworks reflecting the theme of sport and competition. Here you can find beautiful sculptures by notable artists such as Auguste Rodin and Fernando Botero.

Take in the city

You can easily spend a day getting lost in Lausanne, simply taking in the marvels of the city. On your travels around the city you can find the grandiose Lausanne Cathedral, with its famed rose window. The city is home to plenty of magnificent buildings, like the city hall located in the Place de la Palud, just a stones a throw away from the majestic Fontaine de la Justice .

From here you can also find the Escaliers du Marché , a set of charming wooden stairs that not only allows you to navigate Lausanne’s steep terrain, but also provides some of the most picturesque views of the city.

If you haven’t had your fill of Lausanne’s beautiful cityscape, you can take a trip to the nearby Sauvabelin Forest and climb the Tour de Sauvabelin . Visitors can climb the double helix staircase to the top of the wooden viewing platform, which offers spectacular views of the Alps, Lake Geneva and Lausanne.

Frolic in the local parks

Who doesn’t love a nice park? If you fancy spending a day enjoying the fruits of nature, or taking the family for a picnic then you can find plenty of picturesque parks around the city. The Parc de Mon Repos is a sprawling English landscape garden, filled with exotic trees like giant sequoias and an 18th century villa, which used to be the home of the IOC. You can also find an outdoor theatre, where Voltaire once produced a play, and an orangery that is now used as a studio by the sculptor Yves Dana.

Another park makes up the grounds of the Fondation de l’Hermitage, a manor house that hosts amazing temporary exhibitions, showcasing the works of Swiss and international artists. The park boasts views of Lake Geneva, the mountains and the city’s cathedral towers.

Lausanne, Le   Petit Francais

When walking around Lausanne, you would be forgiven for thinking that you were in one of the great cities of France. French culture has greatly impacted Lausanne, with French customs being adopted in the city. After becoming a hub for artists and writers, it has developed a strong coffeehouse culture of intellectualism and free expression. Stay in one of the many coffee houses, have a chat and see where the conversation takes you.

Lake Geneva

Finally, one thing you must do while in Lausanne is spend a day on Lake Geneva. There are so many activities for the whole family to engage in, in and around the lake. From adventure parks and ziplining, to hiking trails, sandy beaches and boating, there is so much to choose from! There is scope for shopping, visiting museums, playing sports and even horseback riding! Seriously, visiting the lake is not to be missed!

Public transport in Lausanne

Lausanne boasts a well-connected public transport network , both locally and internationally. The city’s main station, the Gare de Lausanne, is the city’s main transport hub, and the centre of the RER Vaud S-Bahn network. The city also boasts its own metro, famous for scaling the high hills of Lausanne in their journey too and from the lake and city.

Annual events in Lausanne

Check out these regular events in Lausanne!

Lausanne Marathon

Whether you’re there to participate or just to watch, the Lausanne marathon is not to be missed. Held every year from 1993, the event includes walking races and a “mini-marathon”.

International Longines Horse-Show of Lausanne

Who doesn’t love horses? Lausanne hosts the International Longines Horse-Show of Lausanne and tournament in a beautiful location right next to Lake Geneva.

Luna Park 

If you’re in Lausanne in May or June, make sure you get yourself down to the Luna Park, a huge fairground attraction that promises fun for all the family.

Lausanne Bike Day

What better way to spend the day cycling? Especially in a city like Lausanne. Lausanne Bike Day is organised by the city’s sports department with various cycling clubs, with the aim of getting people out on their bikes.

Jobs in Lausanne

Lausanne is famous for being the headquarters of some of the world’s biggest international companies , like Nespresso and Logitech. As a centre for business and economics, there are loads of job opportunities for expats in Lausanne .

Housing in Lausanne

Housing in Lausanne may not be the cheapest in Switzerland, but the standard of living is high in the country’s fourth-largest city.

Video footage of Lausanne

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Large detailed tourist map of Lausanne

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Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

News releases

March 14, 2024

Latest news releases

MnDOT awards $81.5 million to improve statewide freight network

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Fifteen projects that will improve freight mobility, safety, intermodal connections, and first and last-mile freight throughout Minnesota were selected to receive a total of $81.5 million in funding, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced today. These 15 projects selected are part of the third round of targeted freight funding offered through the competitive Minnesota Highway Freight Program. MHFP funds are made available for road, port, airport and railroad projects. This round of funding will be applied to projects programmed in state fiscal years 2026–28. The projects awarded funding include:

  • MnDOT Rest Area Program – I-94 Enfield Rest Area truck parking expansion: $2.7 million
  • MnDOT District 4 – Snow fence on I-94 near Rothsay: $2.25 million
  • MnDOT Rest Area Program - I-94 Big Spunk Lake Rest Area truck parking expansion: $3.4 million
  • City of Cottage Grove – 100 St SW arterial roadway project: $5 million
  • Sherburne County – Highway 169 and County Road 4 rural safety and mobility project: $10.8 million
  • Carver County – Highway 5 Arboretum Area safety project: $10.8 million
  • Scott County – Highway River, Rails, and Highway Freight Improvement project: $10.8 million
  • City of Coon Rapids – Highway 610 East River Road interchange: $10.8 million
  • Bridgewater Township – Comus Industrial Park Intermodal Facility access road: $1.6 million
  • MnDOT District 7 – Highway 169 Mankato Area revitalization: $10.8 million
  • City of Clearwater – I-94 and Highway 24 improvements: $5 million
  • City of Mankato – Veterans Memorial Bridge rehabilitation; $6.1 million
  • Statewide Truck Parking Information and Management System replacement project: $550,000
  • Statewide Truck Parking Study update: $300,000
  • State Freight Plan update: $600,000

The MHFP encourages public and private sector entities to apply for funding for transportation projects that benefit freight movement across the state. During this latest round of the solicitation, MnDOT received 24 applications requesting $158 million. Each project was evaluated for key freight data, proposed project benefits, and project readiness. MnDOT worked with stakeholders over the past two years to develop and roll out this round of the solicitation. Funding for the program comes through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and connects to the key strategic goals in Minnesota’s State Freight Plan.

More information about the awards and the program can be found online at the program website at https://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/mhfp/ .

36 Hours in Sarasota, Fla.

By Valeriya Safronova Updated March 14, 2024

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A brilliant orange sunset over a calm ocean. In the foreground, people stand on the shore looking at the spectacle.

Often overlooked in favor of Tampa to the north and Miami to the south, Sarasota, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is a laid-back city that seems content to keep its white-sand beaches out of the spotlight. The city of 55,000 has long been home to the Ringling museum complex , set on a picturesque bay, where visitors can find artworks by Peter Paul Rubens, Titian and El Greco, and a circus museum. There’s plenty for nature lovers, too: Spot alligators, manatees and dolphins; meander beneath stately banyan trees; and take a kayak for a spin through the wild mangroves. These days, the city is abuzz with developments, including an expansion of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the opening of a 1920s house-museum in Newtown, the city’s historic Black district.

Recommendations

  • Siesta Beach , the pride and joy of locals, offers miles of soft sand that’s great to lounge or stroll on, as well as expansive views of the Gulf.
  • The Ringling is a complex of museums and gardens where visitors can discover such delights as a 3,800-square-foot model of an early 20th-century circus.
  • Meliora captures the high-low spirit of Sarasota with unfussy decor and sophisticated seafood dishes.
  • Kayak tours from Kayaking SRQ and Liquid Blue Outfitters take visitors through mangroves and Sarasota Bay, providing the chance to spot dolphins, manatees, starfish, crabs and more.
  • At Myakka River State Park , a kayak rental will get you up close and personal with alligators.
  • Newtown Alive offers trolley tours that trace the struggles and successes of residents of Sarasota’s historic Black neighborhood.
  • Leonard Reid House is a new museum in Newtown that was once the home of one of the city’s first Black settlers.
  • Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has a new gallery with living specimens from the Gardens’ collection of 35,000 preserved plants, a conservatory with displays of flowering orchids and walkways shaded by banyans, ficus and mangroves.
  • Lakewood Ranch Farmers’ Market offers live music, food stands and various events for kids, like arts and crafts or storytelling.
  • Shack , a popular fitness studio, runs jam-packed yoga and pilates classes.
  • Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar is a seafood lover’s paradise, with peel-and-eat shrimp, lobster tails, calamari, oysters and, for those inclined, fried gator.
  • Project Coffee , a vegan cafe with several locations in Sarasota, has a menu that adds a little fun to brunch classics, like a frozen açaí bowl with cornflakes and black-sesame crumble.
  • Sage , a restaurant inside a historic 1926 building that once housed the Sarasota Times newspaper, has a swanky rooftop bar with live music on Fridays.
  • Siesta Key Oyster Bar has festive cocktails and live music nightly.
  • Gilligan’s Island Bar has a loungey backyard with swings; pop, disco and reggaeton tunes set a dancey vibe.
  • The Resort at Longboat Key , renovated in 2020, sits on 410 acres of land on a barrier island off Sarasota. Besides a private beach, the hotel has its own golf course, tennis gardens and a spa. Rooms start at $999 a night.
  • Kompose Hotel , near the airport, allows guests to book a room at a base price and pay for customizations, like use of the pool and jacuzzi ($5 per day), or the Peloton bike ($10 per hour); a sauna session ($35 per person); or accommodating a dog ($75 per stay). Rooms start at $250.
  • Timberline Glamping Co. offers luxury tents in Oscar Scherer State Park equipped with linens, rugs, lamps, electric outlets, heating or air-conditioning, mini fridges and Keurig coffee makers. The site provides hammocks, a charcoal grill, a wood fire pit and a picnic table. There’s a shared bathhouse with toilets and showers. Tents from $169.
  • For short-term rentals , look in the Alta Vista or Laurel Park neighborhoods for proximity to Sarasota’s downtown at reasonable prices. Rentals on Siesta Key, a barrier island connected to Sarasota by two bridges, are more expensive, but offer easy beach access, free trolley service and small town charm.
  • The best way to get around Sarasota is by car , whether it's a rental or via ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft. An on-demand ridesharing service called Breeze OnDemand runs in downtown Sarasota, on Siesta Key, on Longboat Key and on Lido Key, and costs $2 per person; book through the app . Free trolleys run along Siesta Key and Lido Key, and between Lido Key and downtown Sarasota. Track the Lido Key trolleys with the Bay Runner app . The Siesta Key Breeze trolley runs approximately every half hour.

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IMAGES

  1. 2 Days in Lausanne: The Perfect Lausanne Itinerary

    tourist info lausanne

  2. 7 choses à voir absolument à Lausanne

    tourist info lausanne

  3. Visiter Lausanne : que voir, que faire, conseils de Lausannois

    tourist info lausanne

  4. Lausanne 2021 : Les 10 meilleures visites et activités (avec photos

    tourist info lausanne

  5. 7 essential things to see in Lausanne

    tourist info lausanne

  6. 2 Days in Lausanne: The Perfect Lausanne Itinerary

    tourist info lausanne

COMMENTS

  1. Official website of Lausanne Tourism

    Highlights of Lausanne. Whether by bus or by bike, on foot or on skates, discover Lausanne, Olympic Capital: museum visits, a stroll in the parks and gardens or along the floral quays, excursions on the lake or in the vineyards, sporting and cultural activities, a relaxing spa break, shopping and nights out. So let's get exploring Lausanne ...

  2. Lausanne

    Lausanne, the Olympic capital, is a centre renowned for its educational and research facilities, and is an unmissable destination for business tourism. The cradle of the Olympic movement teems with activities, creating a unique environment where the worlds of sport, culture, technology, medical research and innovation all come together.

  3. Tourist information centre

    Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet 1 (South entrance) 1003 Lausanne. Show on map. Near the train station and the entrance to the Plateforme 10 Arts District. Opening Hours. Every day from 9 am to 6 pm (closed on December 25 and January 1) You can also contact us by phone : +41 21 613 73 73. or by e-mail: [email protected].

  4. 16 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Lausanne

    16. Admire the Windows at St. François Church. View to the Tower of St. François Church. The hub of Lausanne's traffic is the Place St.-François, where you'll find the former Franciscan church of St.-François. The church dates from the 13th and 14th centuries; its tower was built in 1523.

  5. 11 of the best things to do in Lausanne

    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. 4. Go hiking and wine tasting in the Lavaux. If you didn't know Switzerland was a wine-producing country, you're in for a surprise.

  6. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Lausanne

    By M8826GWpeters. Rolex Learning Center is a multi-function student center on the EPFL campus. A design competition led to the swoopy... 11. AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium Lausanne. 680. Aquariums. AQUATIS invites visitors to immerse themselves in a journey on the five continents to discover the main freshwater ecosystems.

  7. Lausanne travel

    Lausanne. Switzerland, Europe. Surrounded by vineyards, rolling down a trio of hillsides to the lakeshore, Switzerland's fourth-largest city, Lausanne, likes to think it gives Geneva a run for its money.

  8. Top Ten Things to do in Lausanne, Switzerland

    3. Lausanne Cathedral (Cathedrale de Lausanne) A visit to this Gothic cathedral, which is also referred to as the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Lausanne, is one of the best things to do in Lausanne. This cathedral dates back to 1170. When the cathedral was first built, it was filled with ornate decorations and statues.

  9. 17 great things to do in Lausanne

    7. Eat fondue at La Pinte Besson. There are numerous places in Lausanne to sample the cheese dish to end all cheese dishes, but historic pub La Pinte Besson is one of the best, and possibly the ...

  10. Is Lausanne Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons Why

    Listed below are 10 reasons why you should visit Lausanne, Switzerland: 1. Lausanne Cathedral is one of Europe's Most Magnificent Gothic Cathedrals. Image of Lausanne Cathedral by TouringSwitzerland.com. L ausanne Cathedral is one of Europe's most magnificent Gothic Cathedrals.

  11. Lausanne

    Media gallery. Lausanne is not only the Olympic capital, but also the second-largest city on Lake Geneva. With its harbour district and lakeside promenade, it offers the ideal balance between urban hustle and bustle and relaxation by the lake. Thanks to its wonderful hillside location, views of Lake Geneva can be enjoyed almost everywhere ...

  12. How to Spend 1 Day in Lausanne, Switzerland

    1. Enjoy a cozy breakfast as you begin your day. Image of a Café by TouringSwitzerland.com. The first thing you should do before heading out into the city is to find a comfortable, warm, cozy place to eat breakfast. In case your hotel doesn't offer a breakfast option, you can walk around Lausanne to find a café.

  13. 15 Best Things to Do in Lausanne (Switzerland)

    1. Lausanne Cathedral. Source: Shutterstock. Lausanne Cathedral. The city's solemn cathedral went up during the 13th century and was consecrated in 1275. That sound in the dead of night is the Lookout, who barks out the hours between 22:00 and 02:00 365 days a year and one of the last of his kind in Europe.

  14. Welcome to Lausanne

    Group travel; Studying in Lausanne; Our 2-day plan to discover Lausanne ! ... [email protected] +41 21 613 73 73. Our tourism office ... Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most ...

  15. 7 essential things to see in Lausanne

    2. The Olympic Museum and the history of the Olympic Games. Lausanne is also a cultural hotspot with its many internationally renowned museums, such as the Fondation de l'Hermitage (fine art) or the Art Brut Museum. Among that long list, the Olympic Museum remains an absolute must for lovers of sport.

  16. Ultimate Travel Guide to Lausanne

    Lausanne is reachable by plane via Geneva Airport. Geneva is an international airport accessible from all over Europe and the Middle East via airlines such as EasyJet, Jet2 and the country's own airline SWISS. Direct trains between Geneva Airport and Lausanne travel up to four times per hour and take only 50 minutes.

  17. Lausanne Travel Guide and Tourist Information: Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland

    Lausanne Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights Many popular tourist sights line the Rue Centrale, which runs alongside the valley and divides Old Town Lausanne from the hill where the Place St. François is located. Endless recreational attractions are based around the southerly shores of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), where a host of water ...

  18. Lausanne information and links for expats, students & tourists

    Guide to Lausanne. Lausanne is the capital city of the French-speaking Canton of Vaud. It is situated on the shore of Lake Geneva, the largest of the lakes in Switzerland. The city has long been a centre for international sport, even being recognised as the "Olympic Capital" by the International Olympic Committee, which is based in the city.

  19. 2 Days in Lausanne: The Perfect Lausanne Itinerary

    For more accommodation options in Lausanne, check out Booking.com. This site consistently offers the best rates, and its customer service is on point. The Perfect 2-Day Lausanne Itinerary. Even if Lausanne isn't a huge tourist destination in Switzerland, it has more than enough going on to keep you happily busy for two or more days.

  20. Large detailed tourist map of Lausanne

    World Map » Switzerland » City » Lausanne » Large Detailed Tourist Map Of Lausanne. ... metro, parking lots, railways, railway stations, gardens, parks, museums, theatres, tourist information centers, hotels, pedestrian zones, points of interest, tourist attractions and sightseeings in Lausanne.

  21. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Lausanne (Updated 2024)

    10. Rolex Learning Center EPFL. Rolex Learning Center is a multi-function student center on the EPFL campus. A design competition led to the swoopy... 11. AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium Lausanne. AQUATIS invites visitors to immerse themselves in a journey on the five continents to discover the main freshwater ecosystems.

  22. EPFL ENTER THE HYPER-SCIENTIFIC on Instagram: "OPEN CALL: EPFL CDH

    164 likes, 6 comments - enterthehyperscientific on September 5, 2023: "OPEN CALL: EPFL CDH Artist-in-Residence Program 2024 ENTER THE HYPER-SCIENTIFIC 2024 - 2025 ...

  23. DEC Issues Public Safety Information and Viewing Guidance Ahead of 2024

    For more information, visit DEC's website for the full press release related to this year's New York State Burn Ban. For the last 17 months, an interagency task force, comprised of nearly two dozen State agencies and authorities, has been collaborating on plans to ensure a safe and memorable viewing experience for New York State's residents ...

  24. Visits

    Group travel; Studying in Lausanne; Our 2-day plan to discover Lausanne ! ... [email protected] +41 21 613 73 73. Our tourism office ... Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most ...

  25. Administrative Services Gateway

    For travel with Research Foundation funds: GeoBlue is available to individuals (other than independent contractors) traveling on official RF business. Contact an expert for more information. Meg Mitchell. Director. Travel, Financial Management. Phone: 716-645-4535. Email: [email protected].

  26. Planning a Trip? Tips and Tricks for Working With a Travel Adviser

    Decades ago, your vacation most likely began with a visit to a travel agent, who relied on a combination of expertise and connections to find the best deals on plane tickets, hotels, tours and ...

  27. Aspen's Slopes Draw Skiers and Influencers to the Colorado Town

    This Colorado enclave draws both die-hard snow lovers and those who don't even dream of skiing, be they museum-goers, gourmands or influencers. By Amy Virshup Amy Virshup is the Times Travel ...

  28. News releases

    511 Travel Info. General Contacts; MnDOT A to Z; Search; News releases. March 14, 2024. ... Statewide Truck Parking Information and Management System replacement project: $550,000 ; Statewide Truck Parking Study update: $300,000; State Freight Plan update: $600,000; The MHFP encourages public and private sector entities to apply for funding for ...

  29. 36 Hours in Sarasota, Fla.

    The Resort at Longboat Key, renovated in 2020, sits on 410 acres of land on a barrier island off Sarasota.Besides a private beach, the hotel has its own golf course, tennis gardens and a spa ...

  30. Biden looks to shore up support in Midwest after clinching Democratic

    U.S. President Joe Biden visited the political battleground state of Wisconsin on Wednesday after clinching the Democratic Party's nomination, and focused on hunting for votes among suburban women ...