Lausanne Cathedral

Where?
Place de la Cathédrale 13
Price
From
5 CHF
At the heart of the old town, the majestic Lausanne Cathedral overlooks the city. Seen as one of the most beautiful gothic art monuments in Europe, it attracts more than 400,000 visitors every year.

Useful information

Address

Place de la Cathédrale 13
1005 Lausanne

How to get there

Schedules

From 31.03.2024 to 29.09.2024
Open
Closed
Monday
09:00 - 19:00
Tuesday
09:00 - 19:00
Wednesday
09:00 - 19:00
Thursday
09:00 - 19:00
Friday
09:00 - 19:00
Saturday
09:00 - 19:00
Sunday
09:00 - 19:00
From 01.10.2023 to 31.03.2024
Open
Closed
Monday
09:00 - 17:30
Tuesday
09:00 - 17:30
Wednesday
09:00 - 17:30
Thursday
09:00 - 17:30
Friday
09:00 - 17:30
Saturday
09:00 - 17:30
Sunday
09:00 - 17:30

5 CHF

Child -16 years old

2 CHF

Price: 5 CHF

Last visit of the tower: noon and 30 minutes before closing time (see opening hours of the tourist information office at the Cathedral).

Magnetic loop Partially wheelchair-accessible Parking place not wheelchair-accessible

La Cité

ArchitectureHistoryHeritageShopping
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.
Loading...

Palud square

HeritageShopping
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.
Loading...
author avatar
Dominik, the arch-photo fan
The Lausanner recommends
Dominik the arch-photo fan
Even today, the cathedral watchman continues to call out the time from ten at night until two in the morning! A visit with the watchman was an unforgettable experience for me!
author avatar
Sébastien, the adventurer
The Lausanner recommends
Sébastien the adventurer
When looking for a beautiful view to observe Lausanne from above at sunset, the first place that comes to mind is Lausanne Cathedral, overlooking the town.
author avatar
Victor, the hunter of instants
The Lausanner recommends
Victor the hunter of instants
If you wish to gain height in Lausanne, head to the Cathedral. After a few dozen metres of elevation in the small streets of the old town, here you are in the Cité, at the foot of the Cathedral. It’s now time to climb the steps that lead to the top of the belfry. From there, you’ll have a 360° view over Lausanne, as well as on the Cathedral’s bells. One important tip: leave before they ring!
author avatar
Ratana, the chic mamma
The Lausanner recommends
Ratana the chic mamma
A Lausanne institution, go and see – or rather listen to – the Cathedral watch who calls the hours from 10 pm to 2 am. Set up in past times to warn of fires, the tradition has been perpetuated, but the watch now calls the passing hours after dark to the city’s night owls.
author avatar
Jasmine, the dancing queen
The Lausanner recommends
Jasmine the dancing queen
Explore the impressive Cathedral of Notre Dame, a gothic masterpiece that offers a breathtaking panoramic view over the town from its belfry.
author avatar
Michaël, the urban spirit
The Lausanner recommends
Michaël the urban spirit
Majestically overlooking the urban landscape, Lausanne Cathedral is one of the town’s architectural and historical jewels. Climb to the top of its belfry to have a fantastic panoramic view over the city. Don’t hesitate to stroll in the lanes of the Cité (the historic district) to discover its hidden treasures.

More info

As the spiritual capital of French-speaking Switzerland, the Cathedral of Lausanne is of interest to people from all parts of the world. Constructed during the XIIth and XIIIth centuries, consecrated 20th October 1275 in the presence of Pope Gregory X and Rudolf of Habsburg. It became a protestant cathedral in 1536.

From that point Jean Cotereel, the third builder, continued the work on the site by constructing the western section, giving it a porch and two towers, one with a belfry, the other one remained uncompleted. It was only in 1275 that the Cathedral was consecrated, by both Emperor Rudolph of Hapsburg and Pope Gregory X. In 1536, during the Reformation, the Cathedral underwent significant changes when a new liturgical area was built in the nave. Thereafter, it was restored a number of times in the 18th century and again in the 19th century under the leadership of the famous French architect Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc. The Cathedral has a highly significant multi-coloured interior. Dating back to the original construction, this design was covered over during the Reformation and then revealed at the beginning of the 20th century. The paintings are still visible in the Chapel of the Virgin as well as on the statues of the painted doorway, which is unique in all of Europe and has been completely restored since October 2007. The rose window is among the masterpieces of European artistic heritage. Its panes depict the medieval view of the world arranged around the figure of God the creator.

You may have already visited the Cathedral of Lausanne in daylight but have you been there by night? Discover more about the Cathedral’s night watchman!

Between 10pm and 2am, Alexandre Schmid stands at the top of the Cathedral’s bell tower and shouts out each hour to the residents. As the Cathedral’s night watchman, this role was historically meant to watch over the city but it now remains to perpetuate a 600 year-old tradition. Not to mention that the view over Lausanne asleep is breathtaking! It’s definitiely worth staying awake a while longer, right?

Our stories of this place

Suggestions of articles

In the area