Best things to do in Lausanne

Lausanne's Absolute Essentials

Lausanne blends medieval heritage with its status as the Olympic Capital. The car-free Old Town features the 13th-century Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame and the 14th-century Tour de l'Ale, a remnant of former city fortifications. Along Lake Geneva, the Olympic Museum documents the history of the games, while the Ouchy district provides lakeside access via the m2 metro. Notable landmarks include the Renaissance-style Palais de Rumine and the 15th-century Château Saint-Maire, the seat of the cantonal government.

Lausanne's Absolute Essentials — Map

Abaddon1337 / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Lausanne Old Town

The car-free old town of Lausanne is a real gem. Just strolling around the cobblestone streets is pleasant enough.

edwin.11 / CC BY 2.0

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Lausanne Cathedral

The Cathedral of Notre Dame of Lausanne is a church located in the city of Lausanne, in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.

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The Olympic Museum

The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland houses permanent and temporary exhibits relating to sport and the Olympic movement.

Abaddon1337 / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Palud Square

Lausanne's oldest town square retains its historical atmosphere until today. Moreover, often is enliven with markets and events.

Sandro Senn / CC BY 3.0

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Lausanne Sauvabelin Tower

The Tour de Sauvabelin is a wooden tower located in the Sauvabelin forest, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

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Ouchy-Olympique

Terminal station of the m2 metro line located in the lakeside Ouchy district. It provides direct access to the lakefront promenade and the Olympic Museum, connecting the waterfront to the city center and main railway station.

Michel Krafft / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Palais de Rumine

The Palais de Rumine is a late 19th-century building in Florentine Renaissance style in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Kert Kalvik / CC-BY-SA

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Ale Tower

This cylindrical tower is a silent remnant of Lausanne's medieval past when it served as a part of the fortification.

Christophe Delaere / CC BY 2.0

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Château Saint-Maire

Château Saint-Maire is a castle in Lausanne, Switzerland, that serves as the seat of the cantonal government, the Council of State of Vaud.

Sailko / CC BY 3.0

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Art Brut Museum

The Collection de l'art brut is a museum dedicated to outsider art located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Musée et jardins botaniques cantonaux / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Musée et jardins botaniques cantonaux

On January 1, 2023, the cantonal botanical gardens and museum merged to become a department of the Naturéum, Switzerland's natural science…

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

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Parc de Mon Repos

The Parc de Mon Repos is a public park of the city of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Other Lists

Lausanne's Premier Museums Lausanne's Protestant Churches Parks and Fountains Theatres and Cinemas