Old town

CultureHistoryHeritageExhibition

The Musée historique de Lausanne (MHL), renovated in 2018, is the ideal place to delve into the fascinating evolution of the city and its inhabitants. At the heart of the ‘Lausanne, l’Exposition’ exhibit, the emblematic model of the city in 1638 invites visitors to dive into the rich and captivating economic, social and cultural history of Lausanne.

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Mon-Repos stands out as one of the most beautiful parks in Lausanne’s historic landscape. It is as attractive for the variety of its architectural fatures (neo-Gothic tower, waterfall, neo-classical temple, orangery, volieres) as for the harmony of its layout and the wealth of archives that trace its history.

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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.

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Located on the far north end of the City hill, the Château Saint-Maire has been the seat of regional power since it was established. Lausanne’s bishops built it between around 1400 and 1430 as their new residence, choosing the site for its distance from the lower city and its turbulent bourgeoisie.

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Standing against the façade of Château Saint-Maire is the statue of Major Davel, one of the heroes of local history.

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Built in the middle of the 16th century, the Ancienne Académie housed Europe’s first college of Protestant and French theology, then the University between 1890 and 1987.

Heritage

The Escaliers du Marché staircase, a direct and steep route that runs between Place de la Palud and the Cathedral, is one of the most picturesque sites in Lausanne. Its existence was first recorded back in the 13th century and its present-day appearance – a winding wooden stairway with a cover and a very steep cobbled street running alongside it – dates back to the years 1717 - 1719.