| Confined within its walls until the late 19th century, Lausanne was surrounded by forests, fields and vineyards. In the 18th century the rich and the aristocracy built their country manors such as "Le Désert" and "Mon-Repos". With classicism and baroque coexisting side by side, façades were surmounted by turrets and decorated with pediments and other trim. Owners of these estates, attempted to grow exotic plants, like oranges and pineapples, silk worms. |
| | The Mon-Repos estate - the finest of these country manors - was completely redone between 1817 and 1833 on the basis of drawings from Paris. The French garden was redesigned in an English style with extremely detailed instructions on how to plant. Service buildings were reconstructed away from the 18th century master residence, the subject of major renovation work by Parisian and Milan architects and artists. In terms of farming activities, annex buildings comprised the large semicircular farmhouse with fountain and horse basin, the orangerie - its greenhouse has disappeared since - fishpond, dairy, icehouse and porter quarters. But Mon-Repos was also the stage for fun and games with skittle court, carousel and aviary, and provided for things picturesque with a neo - Gothic tower perched on an artificial rock and waterfall to hide the estate's water reservoir. |
| | But urban development has absorbed these lands, and many are now unrecognizable or defunct. |
| 1 - Hermitage country manor |  |
| Owner of the property since 1841, banker Charles Bugnion ordered L. Wenger to renovate the master residence (1852-1855). Today, the manor house hosts temporary art exhibitions (Fondation de l'Hermitage). |
 | Route du Signal 2 - 1018 Lausanne | | | Bus 16. Stop "Hermitage"
Bus 3. Stop "Motte" (then, about 10 minutes walk) |  | Fondation de l'Hermitage |
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| 2 - Hermitage annex buildings | |
| 3 - Castle of Béthusy | |
| Paul d’Huc, Count of Béthusy, appointed architect G. Delagrange to build the farmhouse and master house (1774-80). Today, the château houses offices and residences. |
| | Avenue de Beaumont 2 - 1012 Lausanne | | | Bus 6. Stop "Béthusy"
Bus 7. Stop "Béthusy"
Bus 66. Stop "Béthusy" |
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| 4 - Mon-Repos country manor | |
| Vincent Perdonnet, currency trader from Vevey established in Paris, ordered L. Damesme and A. Leclère to renovate the building (1818-22) originally built by A. Perregaux. |
| | Parc Mon-Repos - 1005 Lausanne | | | Bus 13. Stop "Mon-Repos" | | | Subway m2. Stop "Ours" |
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| 5 - Mon-Repos farmhouse | |
| Vincent Perdonnet created the park (1818) and annex (1819-25) according to drawings by L. Damesme and F. Monsailler. Today, the estate hosts receptions staged by the City. |
| | Parc Mon-Repos - 1005 Lausanne | | | Bus 13. Stop "Mon-Repos" | | | Subway m2. Stop "Ours" |
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| 6 - Maison de Villamont | |
| Home of and built by (1791-93) Alexandre Perregaux, silversmith and architect. Today without a wing or annex, it houses residences and offices. |
| | Avenue de Mon-Repos 3 - 1005 Lausanne | | | Bus 13. Stop "Mon-Repos" | | | Subway m2. Stop "Bessières" or "Ours" |
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| 7 - Elysée country manor | |
| Henri de Mollins de Montagny, who served in Holland, appointed A. Fraisse for its construction (1780-83). Today, Museum of Photography. |
| | Avenue de l'Elysée 18 - 1006 Lausanne | | | Bus 2. Stop "Croix-d'Ouchy"
Bus 8. Stop "Musée Olympique" | | | Subway m2. Stop "Délices" | | | Musée de l'Elysée |
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| 8 - Maison Panchaud | |
| Hotelkeeper Charles Panchaud appointed A. Perregaux for the construction of the master house ( 1802-03 ) and built annex buildings ( 1804-06 ). |
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| 9 - Castle of Vidy | |
| Built (1771-76) by R. de Crousaz and G. Delagrange on orders of Jean-Louis Loys, Lord of Correvon. Today, home of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). |
| | Route de Vidy - 1007 Lausanne | | | Bus 25. Stop "Bois-de-Vaux" | | | Car park in the neighborhood |
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| 10 - Castle of Beaulieu | |
| Pastor Gabriel Mingard ordered G. Delagrange to add central and west wings (1774-76) to east wing (1763-66). Today, the farmhouse is home to the Collection de l’Art Brut. |
| | Avenue des Bergières 7/11 - 1004 Lausanne | | | Bus 2. Stop "Beaulieu-Jomini"
Bus 3. Stop "Beaulieu-Jomini"
Bus 21. Stop "Beaulieu-Jomini" | | | Car park Palais de Beaulieu | | | Musée de l'Art Brut |
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| 11 - Désert country manor | |
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