Lausanne Attractions

Crowning the hills of Lausanne is the 12th c. Notre Dame Cathedral, my top pick which is the biggest and the most beautiful Gothic building in Switzerland and impossible to not see. Try to catch classical concerts which are held often in the Cathedral. Behind the Cathedral is La Cité and fairytale-like Castle St. Marie which now houses the Cantonal government.

Going downwards past the Cathedral on the wooden covered stops you will find yourself at the Place de la Palud, a quaint cobble stoned square with boutiques, a historical animated clock near the Fountain of Justice and the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) which dates from the 16th c.

Be sure to check for the latest exhibition at the Fondation de l'Hermitage, a historical house up on a hill overlooking the city that has some of Europe's and the world's best art works as well as occasional concernts.

The shores of Lake Geneva (Lake Léman) are a must and you will enjoy promenading past rare plants and trees that are labeled as you view with awe the Swiss and French Alps on the other side of the lake. Here you will be able to visit the Olympic Museum and the Roman ruins and Museum at Vidy.

Grandvaux, another top pick of mine is a very charming medieval village up on the slopes of the Lavaux vineyards and in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Lake Geneva and the Swiss and French Alps. After enjoying lunch or a drink on the balcony of the Le Monde restaurant, head down to Cully Village on the lake to taste of the best of the local wines such as the Cave de la Cour Blondel Family.

More Top Lists