Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Lausanne, Switzerland

Lausanne, recognized as the Olympic Capital, is nestled on steep slopes along the northern shore of Lake Geneva. It is home to both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, alongside a premier Olympic Museum for those interested in sports history. The city’s Romanesque and Gothic cathedral serves as a prominent landmark, still adorned with medieval decor despite the upheaval from the Reformation.

With its nearly vertiginous layout, you’re bound to be mesmerized by vistas of Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains at numerous viewpoints. Ouchy, located on the lake’s edge, offers an elegant environment ideal for leisurely strolls, swimming, and public transportation for ferry rides or scenic cruises on one of Europe’s magnificent lakes.

Let’s delve into the top attractions in Lausanne:

1. Lausanne Cathedral

This historic cathedral was constructed during the 13th century and consecrated in 1275. It is particularly notable for its Lookout, who heralds the hours between 22:00 and 02:00 every night—a tradition lingering from a time when such figures were common in Europe.

The such work was significantly impacted by the renowned French master restorer Viollet-le-Duc, who oversaw the restoration during the 1870s.

Be sure to observe the sandstone depiction of the Virgin and Child in the Narthex, along with 13th-century sculptural features on the southern portal, which still showcase remnants of medieval paint.

Additionally, a remarkable rose window from the 13th century can be found on the southern facade, which was avant-garde even before its illustrious counterpart at Chartres.

2. Collection de l’Art Brut

Located in the 18th-century Château de Beaulieu, the Collection de l’Art Brut represents one of the foremost collections of its kind.

This assemblage includes works by various artists, showcasing measures taken by Jean Dubuffet, the movement’s initiator.

The showcased pieces encompass children’s drawings, folk art, and artworks by patients in psychiatric facilities, all featuring a unifying aspect—each artist operated outside mainstream artistic circles, rendering their creations profoundly authentic.

Among the noteworthy contributions is that of Aloïse Corbaz, a native of Lausanne who experienced schizophrenia.

3. Olympic Museum

As the host city to the International Olympic Committee, Lausanne proudly claims the title of Olympic Capital.

The Olympic Museum is strategically located south of the city center in Ouchy, affording stunning views of Lake Geneva from the Olympic Park.

The permanent exhibition, spanning three floors, offers diverse perspectives on the Olympics: the ground floor presents the Olympic World which details the ancient games and their revival in the late 19th century. The Olympic Games section encompasses all sporting events held at each Olympics, while the interactive Olympic Spirit exhibition allows visitors to explore the physical and mental skills representative of an Olympian.

4. Ouchy Promenade

On sunny days, the kilometer-long promenade along Lake Geneva transforms into a delightful escape.

During weekends, it buzzes with families and couples enjoying romantic strolls while taking in the picturesque views of the lake and the Chablais Alps.

Numerous activities take place at Place de la Navigation, including markets and public concerts.

If you prefer solitude, bring along a book and observe the CGN ferries navigating the busiest port on the lake.

This upscale area boasts luxurious hotels such as the Château d’Ouchy and the Beau-Rivage, strategically positioned along the lakefront, and is easily accessible via the M2 line from the heart of Lausanne, descending through dramatic gradients.

5. Musée de l’Élysée

Recognized as one of Europe’s premier photography museums, this elegant 18th-century mansion overlooks Lake Geneva.

Housing over 100,000 photographs, the galleries display works produced with some of the earliest photographic techniques, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of photography from daguerreotypes and albumen prints to digital prints.

Notable Swiss photographers, such as Ella Maillart and Nicolas Bouvier, have contributed their life’s work to the museum. In 2011, the museum acquired Charlie Chaplin’s personal album, which consists of 10,000 images chronicling his complete career. A state-of-the-art building is currently under construction and slated to open in 2020.

6. Place de la Palud

Situated in the heart of Lausanne, Place de la Palud features a wedge-shaped pedestrian square dominated by the 17th-century City Hall and historic residential buildings.

Visitors can access a passageway through the building’s arcade that leads to Place de la Louve. On the eastern side, the Fontaine de la Justice, established in the 1500s, can be found.

The square provides a splendid view of the City Hall’s tower and the renowned Horloge de la Palud, constructed for the Swiss National Exhibition in 1964. At each hour, figures representing significant historical figures of Lausanne parade around the clock before retreating inside.

7. Esplanade de Montbenon

While Lausanne is known for its breathtaking panoramas, the views from Esplanade de Montbenon are among the most outstanding in the city.

This meticulously landscaped park invites visitors to take a moment to sit and admire the scenic beauty. Various noteworthy monuments can be explored within Montbenon.

At the esplanade’s apex stands the Palais de Justice de Montbenon, an impressive Beaux-Arts structure erected in the 1880s, which served as the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland until 1921.

The Casino de Montbenon was also a former IOC headquarters from 1915 to 1922 and today houses the Swiss Film Archive. Keep an eye on their schedule for events like the Lausanne Underground Film and Music Festival featuring mixed engagements.

8. Tour de Sauvabelin

Dominating the highest point in the city, the wooden viewing tower in the Sauvabelin Forest offers a unique experience. Constructed in 2003, it features an atypical double helix staircase—one ascending and one descending.

Reaching the observation platform involves climbing 151 steps, rewarding you with enchanting views of Lake Geneva, the Alps, the Vaud and French Alps, as well as the Lausanne skyline.

The tower, standing at 35 meters, is crafted primarily from Douglas fir, sourced from the nearby forests, integrating spruce and larch wood as well.

9. Fondation de l’Hermitage

High on the slopes above the center of Lausanne, the elegant “l’Hermitage” manor house from the 1850s is enveloped in its own park, offering breathtaking vistas of the lake, mountains, and the Cathedral spires.

This captivating vista was immortalized by illustrious landscape artist Camille Corot. In the 1970s, the city inherited l’Hermitage, establishing an art foundation that has since expanded to include hundreds of works.

Though these pieces are not on permanent display, they are featured in exceptional temporary exhibitions. Since 1984, exhibitions have included works by artists such as Giacometti, Hopper, Magritte, and Monet, with recent displays in 2016 showcasing pieces by Signac and Soulages.

10. Parc de Mon Repos

This expansive English-style park is home to various exotic trees, including giant sequoias, providing a serene location for relaxation.

Current park arrangements date back to the 19th century, when French architect Louis-Emmanuel-Aimé Damesme redesigned the area along with its 18th-century villa, which served as the IOC’s headquarters from 1922 to 1967.

Minor attractions include an outdoor theatre where Voltaire once staged a play and an orangery that functions as a studio for sculptor Yves Dana. What may appear as remnants of a medieval tower is, in fact, a Romantic-style folly conceived during the park’s initial creation in the 1820s.

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

MUDAC distinguishes itself with its temporary exhibitions, typically hosting around six shows annually.

Some exhibitions feature a single artist who creates their own scenography, whereas others present traveling exhibitions organized by museums worldwide.

The museum also houses a couple of permanent displays: one on the second floor dedicated to contemporary glass design and another in the basement showcasing the personal collection of historian Jacques-Édouard Berger.

His extensive collection, built during the latter half of the 20th century, includes a wide range of artifacts hailing from the Far East and ancient Egypt. The stately building accommodating the museum comprises a series of medieval houses overlayed with a 17th-century façade.

12. Palais de Rumine

Upon the death of Russian aristocrat Gabriel de Rumine, he bequeathed a sizeable fortune to the city to construct a public facility.

The outcome was the Palais de Rumine, completed at the turn of the century and designed with architectural nods to the Florentine Renaissance.

Located on Place de la Riponne, the palace is home to five distinct museums. Of these, the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts stands out, hosting a collection of approximately 10,000 works.

The museum notably features extensive illustrations by Théophile Steinlen, a venerated Art Nouveau printmaker from Lausanne, alongside other talented Swiss-French artists like Félix Vallotton and Charles Gleyre.

13. Escaliers du Marché

Among the most enchanting walks in the Old Town, the covered wooden staircase connects Place de la Palud to the Esplanade de la Cathédrale.

The earliest references to these steps date back to the 14th century, while the current design originates from the 1710s.

A cobblestone side street accompanies the steps, featuring terraces that alleviate the slope’s steepness.

This trail provides a clear insight into the challenges inherent in constructing a city on such hilly terrain as well as the engineering ingenuity employed to navigate it.

14. Rolex Learning Center

Located just west of the city center, the ultra-modern Rolex Learning Center serves as the campus for the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

Its wavy canopy shelters various facilities, including a library, food court, cafe, meeting areas, workspaces, and additional student resources.

The roof’s design incorporates openings for courtyards, showcasing a remarkable architectural achievement by the Pritzker Prize-winning duo SANAA, who outperformed renowned architects like Rem Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid to secure the project. The campus opened in 2010, welcoming visitors to explore its spaces and enjoy refreshments at the cafe.

15. Lake Excursions

Embarking on a boat excursion from Ouchy’s port is an opportunity not to be missed.

You may opt for a swift crossing to Geneva or to locales such as Thonon-les-Bains on the French lakeside.

Alternatively, you might prefer a more leisurely cruise, for which CGN operates a fleet of vintage boats crafted in Winterthur in the early 20th century.

The “Belle Époque Paddle Steamers” are operational throughout the lake; for instance, Savoie and Simplon offer leisurely sightseeing voyages to Geneva round-trip, while Montreux provides a scenic circuit to the enchanting Château de Chillon dotted on the eastern shore.