Lausanne walking tour & city guide
A hilly Olympic city above Lake Geneva.
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Lausanne climbs steeply up from the shore of Lake Geneva, with views across the water to the French Alps. It is the home of the International Olympic Committee, a lively university city, and the gateway to the terraced vineyards of Lavaux.
The old town and the cathedral
At the top of the city, Lausanne Cathedral is one of the finest gothic buildings in Switzerland. It keeps a centuries-old tradition: every night, a watchman calls out the hour from the tower. The covered wooden staircase of the Escaliers du Marché leads down to the Place de la Palud, with its fountain and animated clock.
The Flon district, once a valley of warehouses, is now a modern area of shops, bars and clubs. The city is so hilly that it built a fully automatic metro, the smallest city in the world to have one.
Ouchy and the lake
Ouchy, the old fishing port on the lake, has a long promenade lined with plane trees, grand hotels and gardens. The Olympic Museum, set in a park overlooking the lake, tells the story of the Games with interactive exhibits.
East of the city, the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cascade down steep terraces to the lake. Walking trails and wine cellars make it one of the most beautiful excursions in Switzerland.
Visiting tips
Lake steamers connect Lausanne with Montreux, the Château de Chillon and Évian in France. Hotel guests receive a free transport card. The Saturday market fills the old town streets.
Top sights in Lausanne
- 1
Lausanne Cathedral
A gothic cathedral with a night watchman.
- 2
Olympic Museum
The history of the Olympic Games.
- 3
Ouchy promenade
A lakeside walk with Alpine views.
- 4
Place de la Palud
An old square with a fountain and clock.
- 5
Lavaux vineyards
UNESCO-listed terraces above the lake.
- 6
Collection de l'Art Brut
A unique museum of outsider art.
Food markets & where to eat in Lausanne
Wednesday and Saturday market
Market stalls in the old town streets.
Flon
A modern district of bars and restaurants.
Ouchy waterfront
Lakeside terraces and cafés.
Lavaux wine cellars
Tastings in the vineyard villages.
Food to try in Lausanne
Papet vaudois
Leeks and potatoes with a smoked sausage.
Malakoffs
Fried cheese balls from the Vaud region.
Chasselas wine
The white wine of Lavaux.
Lake perch
Pan-fried fillets with lemon.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Lausanne
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in LausanneCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Lausanne.
- eSIM for SwitzerlandStay online from the moment you land.
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