Built on the slopes of the old city in the 13th century, the gothic cathedral looks out over Lausanne and the Lake Geneva basin. Built using molasse stone, Lausanne cathedral was constructed in various stages: from 1170 the first master builder erected the cloisters. Twenty years later, a new master builder adjusted this structure, changed its composition and built the current church, completed in 1215.
Jean Cotereel, the third master builder, continued this work by building the pillared structure on the west side, endowing it with a porch and two towers, one containing the belfry and the other never having been completed. The painted gate on the southern façade was added in about 1225-1235.
