Bel-Air Tower and Salle Métropole

Address

Place Bel-Air
1003 Lausanne

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.

CultureArtsExhibition

Just a few short steps from the main train station, PLATEFORME 10 is the arts district in Lausanne. Unique in Switzerland, this neighborhood has arisen on the site of a former railway locomotive repair shed. The site gathers the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA), the Cantonal Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (mudac) and the Cantonal Museum for Photography (Photo Elysée).

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How not to notice the building that takes centre stage in the heart of the city? I can’t stop myself from taking all manner of pictures and from all possible points of view! It’s even more interesting when you know it’s Switzerland’s first skyscraper! With its air of New York and unusual shape, there are many ways of showcasing it.
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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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More info

At the time, many Lausanne residents were opposed to its construction, claiming that its size would compete with that of their beloved Cathedral. The Salle Métropole situated at the foot of the tower has welcomed numerous stars since the 1930s, including dancer Joséphine Baker and trumpeter Louis Armstrong. Many shows are still held there throughout the year.