Lausanne is the fourth largest city in Switzerland and lies on the northern shore of Lake Geneva. One of the most beautiful cities in the country, It is often the focal point of large gatherings such as international summits (e.g. G8) and is the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. Switzerland’s biggest university is located here. Lausanne has no airport, so the best way to get there is via low-cost airline to Geneva followed by the delightful 40-50 minute rail journey to Lausanne, taking in the spectacular mountain views.
Where to Stay
If you’re on a budget, the best thing is to consult Airbnb. You’ll find plenty of nice studio flats for midweek rental around £50-£100 for two people.
If you have a bit more to spend, the four-star Chateau d’Ouchy, still sporting a dungeon tower from the original 12th-century castle, is ideally situated on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Things to Do
Make an early start and work up your breakfast appetite with a jog along the the lakeside promenade at Ouchy. You can bathe in Lake Geneva at the Piscine de Bellerive or Plage de Pully as you watch the sunrise over the Alps.
Then it’s time for a scenic breakfast. If the weather is a bit chilly for a lakeside cafe lounge, then head just south of the Gare Lausanne train station for a brunch at one of the popular eateries to be found in the area.
Suitably fortified, you could then go for a wander around the cobbled streets and medieval lanes nearby to the Cathedrale de Notre Dame, built between 1150 and 1275. There are free 40-minute guided tours of the cathedral from July through to September.
There are local markets on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, ideal for local produce, in particular the wonderful cheeses and fondue and in Place de la Riponne, there’s a burgeoning street-food scene to provide a cheap lunch.
For organic and fair trade chocolate, head to Durig, which also offers chocolate tours, and chocolate-making workshops. Its basil-flavoured chocolate is surprisingly enticing. La Chocolatiere, trading since 1970, makes everything painstakingly by hand on the premises and also offers chocolate-making workshops.
You can then get lost for a few hours amongst the amazing interactive exhibits at the Musee Olympique, before enjoying a tea or coffee and taking in the views at the rooftop Tom Cafe.
For wine lovers, a visit to the terraced vineyards of Lavaux is obligatory. There are 14Km of steep slopes to get around (tasting as you go) but to help you out, there’s a mini-railway to ease the burden.
For nightlife, the Flon district is the place for cool cafes and eclectic bars. Les Arches has plenty of atmosphere and is perfect for a bit of people-watching over an apéritif. Bourg Plage in Centre Ville, replete with fairy lights and multi-coloured decor, is definitely worth seeking out in summer (April to September). Try the Blackbird Social Club for craft beer, cocktails and wine.
Lausanne’s big party is the free Festival de la Cité in early July, featuring music, dance and drama on open-air stages in the Old Town. Late June is also a great time to visit, with the Fête à Lausanne, a weekend of fairground attractions, the Chocolate Festival, and the Fête de la Musique.
Title Image Credit: Tristan Schmurr (www.flickr.com) (Image Cropped)