A Sunday in Lausanne

11-12.30 am: Brunching at the Java

What an incredible invention this “morale-boosting” meal is! Indeed, it’s just pure pleasure to enjoy a breakfast during which you can eat salmon, immediately followed by bread and jam without feeling judged. To get the most out of it, it’s essential to enjoy a good sleep in and not go out too soon.

Let’s head to the Java for a brunch menu that’s as varied as it is delicious: savoury, sweet, salads, tartars… you’ll find much to taste. The cosy and relaxed décor lets you feel at home for a gentle transition between your bed and the rest of your Sunday.

More brunches ideas here!

1-3 pm: Diving into Aquatis’s fresh waters

Well, we don’t actually mean dipping in a thermal bath, but visiting the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe. It’s in Lausanne, TADAAA (confetti, glitter and festive song)! Throughout the exhibition, you’ll go back in time, then follow the course of the Rhone from Lake Geneva to see species from the five continents.

Between spectacular aquariums (8.40 m high and 1 million litres of water for the largest!) and imposing terrariums, you will see fish that seem to belong to the age of dinosaurs, as well as impressive reptiles. Even if the Komodo dragon is snoozing, you won’t regret getting out of bed. It’s at the same time fascinating, highly immersive and educational; to put it in a few words: Aquatis is there so that your Sunday doesn’t feel as exciting as the day of a goldfish in a bowl.

3.30-4.30 pm: Take a break at the Impression Café

We make a beeline for L’impression Café, two minutes from the train station, to reboot. We love the fact that the drinks at L’impression Café are 100% Swiss: the coffee, for example, is roasted in Bienne! As well as respecting the environment, the café has a stylish Scandinavian look that we adore. The icing on the cake: the warm welcome will light up your Sunday afternoon! Furthermore, if the sun deigns to make an appearance this Sunday, you can enjoy your coffee on a pretty terrace.
Avenue Louis-Ruchonnet 15, 1003 Lausanne

4.35-6 pm: Cultivating ourselves by discovering Plateforme 10

After a well-earned break at L’impression Café, we head off to discover Plateforme 10, a new arts district. It has the advantage of being just next door! In fact, it is due to its proximity to the train station that the word, ‘Plateforme’ was chosen, while the number (10) rounds off the number of platforms at Lausanne train station. There’s no excuse: take a five-minute walk to move from a great café to some great museums! We make the most of our visit to see the current exhibition at the fine arts museum, Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts, which opened its doors on 5 October 2019.

6.30-9 pm: Eating a fondue at the Chalet Suisse

Yes, winter is the season of melted cheese. Any anxiety about a swimsuit silhouette is far away (winter has got to have some advantages) and no one will see the effects of that gorgeous fondue under your thick coat. Let’s take some altitude up to Sauvabelin and head towards the fast-approaching Monday with a fondue pot, bread and good company.

Other ideas for restaurants open on Sundays:

In town:

– Le Café de l’Evêché, Rue Louis-Auguste Curtat 4

– La Brasserie de Montbenon, Allée Ernest-Ansermet 3

– Äta, Avenue de Rumine 22

– L’Auberge de Beaulieu, Avenue des Bergières 15

– Le Loxton, Place de la Gare 9

– Tartare and co, Rue de Genève 7

By the lake:

– Le Lacustre, Quai Jean-Pascal Delamuraz 1

– Le Vieil Ouchy, Place du Port 3

– Le Boccalino, Avenue d’Ouchy 76

– La Crêperie d’Ouchy, Place du Port 7