Flon – the heart of Lausanne – Lausanne Tourisme

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Address

Esplanade du Flon
1003 Lausanne

How to get there

+41 21 341 12 12

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In the centre of the square is the town’s oldest fountain, adorned with a statue representing justice. Close by, a clock presents the history of Vaud in animated scenes every hour from 9:00 to 19:00. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings this is the site of the country market, which also sets up shop in the neighbouring pedestrian streets. Every first Friday of the month, it plays host to a craft market. Typical cafes, boutiques and large, elegant shops complement what this high-class district, which is completely pedestrianised, has to offer.

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Lausanne's iconic cathedral has towered over the city for more than eight centuries. A masterpiece of Gothic art, it captivates visitors with the harmony of its architecture, the richness of its sculpted details and the serenity it inspires. From its tower, an exceptional panorama opens up over the roofs of the Cité, Lake Geneva and the Alps.

Due to the renovation of the vaults in the south transept, the rose and its stained glass windows will be inaccessible until spring 2027.

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This is a quarter full of typical small bistros and craft shops. To the north of the Cité hill, at Place du Tunnel, avenue César-Roux avenue and Place de l’Ours, shops and quirky bistros cry out to be discovered. It is around the Cité hill, sculpted by the Flon and Louve rivers, that the mediaeval town grew. Its cobble-stoned pedestrian streets as well as its monuments, the Cathedral of Lausanne, the St-Maire Castle and the Old academy, bear witness to that.

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Located in the heart of Lausanne, a short walk from the SBB station, PLATEFORME 10 is a cultural site unique in Switzerland, bringing together three major cantonal museums: the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA), the Cantonal Museum of Design and Contemporary Applied Arts (mudac) and the Cantonal Museum of Photography (Photo Elysée). A must for art lovers and culture buffs alike.

The Lausanner recommends

Sébastien the adventurer

For various reasons, it’s one of my favourite places; it’s a genuine hub, with everything nearby: bars, restaurants, shops...
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Sébastien the adventurer

Another vantage point that captivates me is Bessière Bridge. On the bridge, you can enjoy a lovely sunset over the Flon’s main street. From below, the spot offers another point of view that’s just as interesting: the bridge’s architecture, with the metro crossing it, allows you to capture a cool urban photo!
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Chloé the family designer

The Galerie du Port Franc, a vintage furniture shop located in a former factory hall in Le Flon, is a must for design and antique enthusiasts! Only authentic and original furniture is on sale here. And before leaving, take time for a quick stop at the Vaga-Bon-Café (at the end of the hall): local coffee, plant-based milks, fruit juices and local lemonades... Everything here is made with your well-being in mind!
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Axel the speedy dunker

The modern soul of Lausanne lies in the Flon District, a lively place where art, gastronomy, shopping and nightlife meet in a stylish and relaxed atmosphere.
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Michaël the urban spirit

Taking inspiration from the architectural model of American skyscrapers, the Bel-Air Tower is Switzerland’s such building. An unmissable symbol of the city, it can be spotted from afar. Just next to it is the Flon, a lively and trendy district that has successfully reinvented itself as the years have gone by to become one of the most popular areas for inhabitants and visitors alike, where architecture, art and design mix.
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Once an industrial wasteland, the Flon is now an unmissable destination for socialising and shopping. The Lausanne-Ouchy shops were built in 1894 in this area reclaimed between 1874 and 1915 from the Flon valley. Many of these buildings were constructed using the then-new technique of reinforced concrete and feature flat roofs. Their orthogonal layout stands in stark contrast to that of the medieval city.

Its focus has shifted from industry to culture. Shopping centres, sports shops and fashion boutiques line the streets in an ultra-modern architectural setting. There’s no shortage of places to take a break in the square’s many trendy bars and restaurants.