Why come to Lausanne ?

Combining city life with the feel of a seaside resort, set between the lake, mountains, vineyards and forests, Lausanne’s pleasant way of life is one to fall in love with. Named the “best small city in the world” by the prestigious Monocle magazine, it boasts all of the features of a metropolis, but on a smaller, more personable, scale: enjoy an evening’s entertainment in the heart of the city or right on Lake Geneva, explore Lausanne’s vibrant cultural side at its new arts district, Plateforme 10, or at the Olympic Museum, or indulge yourself with innovative cuisine that reinterprets traditional approaches, and focuses on local produce and artisanal producers. And then, breathe! As Lausanne is also situated in a breathtaking natural setting, against the backdrop of Lake Geneva, the Alps and the Jura, with the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on its outskirts.

When you first come to Lausanne, it’s the scenery that will immediately capture your heart. Lake Geneva is the perfect place for a stroll and has wonderful beaches for you to enjoy during the summer, where you can take a dip in the water, go out on a paddle board or enjoy a drink of something at sunset.

Lausanne’s history and culture are a key part of its identity, with the city’s cathedral as well as its lookout announcing the time to the city’s residents from its tower, and the Cité, Lausanne’s historic district in the heart of its old town. It is also a lively city, with beautiful shopping streets in the Rôtillon and Flon districts.

Watch the video

A green city

Lausanne is highly committed to sustainability and is one of the greenest cities in the world, with 350 hectares of parks and gardens. Public transport is an extremely efficient way of exploring Lausanne, with a wide array of options, such as by bus, the metro, train and boat. Lausanne may be a city, but it’s on a smaller, more personable scale! As everything is close by, it’s easy to walk from one point to another.

A vibrant culture

Culture vultures will also find what they’re looking for in Lausanne, such as the collection of art brut housed in the Château de Beaulieu; the Fondation de l’Hermitage; Plateforme 10, the city’s brand-new arts district, which is home to the Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA), the Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (MUDAC) and the renowned Photo Elysée; Aquatis, the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe, and a fully-fledged living museum; as well as the unforgettable Olympic Museum for sports enthusiasts, an interactive space that takes you on a journey through the history of the Olympic Games. Lausanne also boasts an incredible programme of theatre and musical events, and dance holds a special place in the city’s heart, as it is home to the Béjart Ballet Lausanne company. Performing arts are also part of the city’s cultural heartbeat, with its Festival de la Cité dedicated to just that. This entirely free festival puts on concerts, performances and shows for the general public right in the heart of the historic district.

A foodie city

In Lausanne, food lovers can enjoy many regional specialties, such as Papet Vaudois (a Vaud dish consisting of leeks, potatoes and sausages) and perch fillets from Lake Geneva, as well as renowned restaurants that have received Michelin stars and GaultMillau points, such as Anne Sophie Pic at the Beau-Rivage Palace Hotel, the Restaurant de l’Hôtel de Ville in Crissier or the Table du Lausanne Palace. Lausanne also hosts many culinary events such as the Miam Festival or the Malakoffs’ world championship. You can also try the outstanding wines produced in the region, by visiting the producers’ cellars directly, or simply in one of the many wine bars to be found across the city.

A city of sports

The home of the Olympic movement is teeming with activities for sports enthusiasts and hosts major sporting events such as the “Athlétissima” international athletics meeting and the Lausanne Marathon. The city itself is also a vast sporting arena, with rollerblading ramps, huge green spaces for jogging, exciting cycling routes featuring ascents and descents for cyclists, and Lake Geneva for paddleboarding or swimming all year round in incredible natural surroundings.