Set against the backdrop of the Alps, Lausanne is a charming Swiss city only an hour away by train from Geneva. Its most appealing charms include its colourful old town, historical museums, serene parks, stately buildings, and fascinating lakefront.
Lausanne boasts a rich historical and cultural life with a perfect mix of urban dwellings and rugged adventure escapes. Its unique location in central Europe provides the ideal setting for the ultimate bucket list adventure. Only 40 minutes away by train from Geneva airport, four hours from Paris by high-speed rail, and an hour away from the best ski slopes in the Alps.
Lausanne is also a crossroads of sorts; during the summer, students at language schools and private academies set the town abuzz in motion on skateboards and rollerblades, especially by its renowned Port Ouchy. You are guaranteed to see students from around the globe coming to study to become chefs, tech specialists, and hospitality and tourism professionals filling Lausanne with festivals, concerts, and exhibits.
Daytime Escapes
Lausanne is home to a cosmopolitan world of escapes complemented by historical museums and gothic buildings. The Olympic Museum, which opened in 1993, reflects the city’s unique heritage. The museum tells the history of the Olympic Games through interactive exhibits, documents, films, and collections of Olympic memorabilia from ancient Greek times up to our modern day.
Not far from the Olympic Museum, you will cross paths with Flon, one of Lausanne’s liveliest districts. People from all walks of life, students and businessmen alike, converge on the district filling its restaurants, shops, boutiques, and bars. The heart of Lausanne Flon has transitioned from an old town warehouse to a stunning social living urban municipality combining an industrial past with a modern metropolitan atmosphere.
One of the most remarkable sites in Flon is Place du Palud; you can grab a drink or chill out in one of the many outdoor restaurants and bars surrounding the square. The main attraction is the Fountain of Justice, considered Lausanne’s oldest. The fountain depicts a statue of a blindfolded woman bearing a sword and scales with four men bowing at her feet.
Port Ouchy
Port Ouchy is dripping with magnificent hotels and resorts and a growing portfolio of villas and buildings. Considered the most prominent lakeside promenade, it was once a tiny fishing village and is now Lausanne’s most popular getaway. Many come here each weekend to soak up its laidback atmosphere and enjoy some tranquil scenery around the lake.
Besides providing stunning picturesque views of the Alps, you can also take a boat cruise to one of the many nearby Swiss cities. Port Ouchy is Lausanne’s ideal departure point for cruises on Lake Geneva. Several ferry and pleasure boats depart from the port and sail to popular destinations like Nyon, Lavaux, and Montreux.
Lunch, dinner, and event cruises to the villages and towns surrounding Lausanne are undoubtedly a pleasurable experience. Some of the most remarkable include a stop by Nyon, a small town situated between Geneva and Lausanne bearing traces of the Roman Empire; Nyon has an array of castles, museums, and chateaus worth exploring.
The vineyards of Lavaux have a variety of breathtaking views of the lake along with mountainous hills and terraces. A stop by one of the cellars for a unique wine-tasting experience is not to be missed. Cruises to towns like Gruyere, Vevey, and Montreux are also available.
Vevey is home to the renowned Charlie Chaplin Museum and the Vevey promenade, offering picturesque settings with plentiful parks. Watch out for the Charlie Chaplin bronze statue and the giant silver fork sculpture rising out of the lake; the sculpture is part of the Alimentarium, a Vevey based food museum; it has become an icon symbolizing the town.
Pleasure sails from Lausanne to Montreux set against the stunning background of the Alps are outstanding in their own right. With its famous resorts, shops, and restaurants, the Montreux Riviera has the perfect setting for a relaxing time out. Among the venues worth exploring are Chillon Castle, a 13th-century fortress considered Switzerland’s oldest historical site. It houses several medieval paintings and archaeological digs.
Finally, don’t miss the Montreux jazz festival, with its impressive programming choices and musical diversity; it welcomes thousands of spectators each summer to this delightful Swiss town.
