Visiting Lausanne, Switzerland
A City of Culture and Beauty on the Shores of Lake Geneva
May 28, 2009
Settled by the Romans in the 1st century, Lausanne enjoys a rich heritage and spectacular natural beauty. Switzerland’s fifth largest city overhangs the lovely shores of Lake Geneva with a view across the water on the peaks of the Savoy Alps. Known for its lively cultural and intellectual traditions, Lausanne is also a green city, filled with parks and tree-lined avenues.
Lausanne’s Museums and Cultural Life
For a medium-sized city, Lausanne is simply bursting with culture. The city hosts over twenty museums, with a range of subjects from Swiss history to fine art to typewriters! Three museums, in particular, are worth noting:
Housed in an elegant 18th century mansion, the Musée de L’Elysée at Avenue de L’Elysée 18 is dedicated entirely to photography and hosts some of the most vibrant exhibitions in all of Europe.
Undoubtedly Lausanne’s most internationally-recognized museum, the interactive and information-packed Olympic Museum located at Quai d’Ouchy 1, is a testament to the true spirit of the Olympic games.
Unique in the world, the Musée de l’Art Brut (Outsider Art or Raw Art) at Avenue des Bergières 11 is home to a mesmerizing collection of art created by non-artists, many of whom were discovered by the museum’s founder in asylums and prisons.
Where to Eat and Where to Shop in Lausanne
Swiss cuisine is a reflection of its three cultural traditions - French, Germanic and Italian – and Lausanne is literally packed with restaurants, from small bistros to high-gastronomy. Whether you’re in the mood for fondue, pasta or something more exotic, the Lausanne Tourism website provides a searchable list of the city’s numerous restaurants with helpful guidelines and reviews.
Shopping is easy in Lausanne’s downtown pedestrian zone. Stroll the cobblestoned streets and shop to your heart’s content for traditional Swiss products like watches, jewelry, chocolate and cheese. And with both Paris and Milan a mere 3-hour train ride away, Lausanne keeps up-to-date on the latest fashions and trends. Don’t forget to check out the Saturday market for fresh produce and delicious regional products.
Nightlife in Lausanne
A cultivated and elegant city by day, Lausanne picks up the pace when the sun goes down! The city is alive with clubs and bars, concerts and special events. The recently rejuvenated Flon area is just one of the city’s many hot spots.
Highlights include:
Les Docks at Avénue Sévelin 34: with its 1000-seat capacity and hip programming, Les Docks provides the utmost in modern music
Théatre du Vidy at Avenue Emile Jaques-Dalcroze 5: one of Lausanne’s most successful and entertaining evening theatre venues, right on the lake
King Size Pub at Rue du Port-franc 16: a casual sports bar which hosts a dueling piano show every evening
Whether visitors spend a day strolling and window-shopping or taking advantage of the city’s abundant museums and restaurants, whether they decide to head down to Ouchy and walk along the lake or explore the woody trails of Sauvabelin Park with its breathtaking view of the city, it's clear Lausanne is truly a city for all ages and all interests.
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