Lake Geneva

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Valentine the travlover

The magic of the Lausanne region lies in its diversity. In only 10 minutes, you get from the thriving heart of the Flon to the peaceful shores of Lake Geneva. Many pebble or sandy beaches invite you to bask in the sun or in the shade of trees. From the Haldimand Tower to Saint-Sulpice, you will be spoilt for choice. If you enjoy sports activities, don’t miss the Vidy area, where many basketball and volleyball courts are available.
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The Lausanner recommends

Marithé the shooting star

After the Haldimand Tower, there is a small peaceful pebble beach. Quieter than Ouchy Harbour, it’s an ideal spot for a picnic and a dip in the lake.
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Lending itself as much to barbecues on the beach as dinners on board the steamships that crisscross its waters, it offers every possible aquatic pleasure: sailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, pedalos… all the joys of summer, giving way to the magical light of the autumn and the soft mists of winter.

Lake Geneva is located in an exceptional and natural setting

This romantic scenery has inspired many artists and celebrities, with some having settled here permanently. It is an immense stretch of water that changes colour with the passing of each hour, the sky and the water sometimes appearing to merge into one. Surrounded by the terraced vineyards of Lavaux and La Côte on one side and by the majestically towering snow-coated Alps on the other, Lake Geneva (known locally as Lac Léman) never ceases to captivate local residents, whether they live on the French or the Swiss side (the frontier cuts through the middle of the lake), and visiting tourists.

The perfect summer appointment

For those who prefer to relax in the sunshine, the urban area of Lausanne boasts around fifty beaches with a range of amenities. Once the fine weather arrives, couples, families, singles and groups of teenagers share the expanses of grass and sand until late into the evening. In summer, several refreshment stands take up residence on the shores to serve fast food. Many restaurants open up their terraces to offer freshly caught fillets of perch, fera, pike and char, as Lake Geneva is the habitat of around thirty species of fish.

The place for sport competitions

Throughout the year numerous regattas are held at various places on the lake, some of which attract the crème de la crème of international sailing. The “Lake Geneva 5-day” race in the month of August represents Europe’s longest lake-bound endurance race. The Translémanique solo race across Lake Geneva is staged three weeks later. Another annual event staged on Lake Geneva is the world’s longest rowing contest (160 km non-stop), organised by the Société Nautique de Genève. It is also possible to cycle around Lake Geneva in the Cyclotour du Léman (180 km), which is more about enjoyment than a winning performance.