Why it is best to go to Lausanne
Positioned within the canton of Vaud on the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), Lausanne is sometimes called “Switzerland’s San Francisco”, mentioned Tough Guides. Dwelling of the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC), the French-speaking metropolis is a “beautiful place” of “steep hills tiered above a lake on south-facing terraces”.
With a vibrant previous city and lots of world-class museums, mentioned Earth Trekkers, Lausanne is a “pleasant” vacation spot. Sooner or later will give guests “sufficient time to go to the highlights”, however when you’ve got extra time, it makes a “helpful residence base” to discover this facet of Switzerland.
Lausanne is typically “missed” by guests in favour of Geneva, its “extra well-known neighbour”, mentioned Caroline Bishop on Lonely Planet, however “that is a mistake”. It could be a small metropolis, however it’s “wealthy in artwork and tradition”, has a “beautiful” lakeside location and boasts a variety of points of interest from “seashores and boat rides” to “vineyards and pop-up bars”.
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The Fountain of Justice at Place de la Palud
(Picture credit score: saiko3p/Shutterstock)
High points of interest and issues to do
For those who’re trying to find the “excellent place to discover and not using a set itinerary”, mentioned Earth Trekkers, then head to Lausanne’s previous city with its “picture-perfect” cobblestoned streets, vibrant buildings, outlets and eating places. Place de la Palud, a “beautiful” sq. positioned throughout the previous city, is a pleasant spot to “seize a drink or a chew to eat”. The sq.’s “centrepiece” is the Fountain of Justice, Lausanne’s oldest fountain. Only a five-minute stroll from Place de la Palud you will discover the Cathedral of Notre Dame of Lausanne. A go to to this Gothic cathedral is “top-of-the-line issues to do” in Lausanne.
Because the “Capitale Olympique”, a must-do within the metropolis is a go to to the Olympic Museum positioned subsequent to the IOC headquarters. This “lavish” museum is devoted to the historical past of the Olympic Video games, mentioned Wanderlog, and options “interactive shows, short-term themed exhibitions, and site-specific sculptural works”. Different prime points of interest embody the Fondation de l’Hermitage artwork museum, Assortment de l’Artwork Brut, Museum of Up to date Design and Utilized Arts (MUDAC), and the Plateforme 10 arts district.
Beau-Rivage Palace is ‘splendidly grand’
(Picture credit score: Almazoff/Shutterstock)
Greatest motels and locations to remain
The very best locations to remain in Lausanne “reap the benefits of the situation” and the “wealthy life on supply”, mentioned The Lodge Guru. For a “grand dame within the centre of city”, Lausanne Palace will “tick all the suitable packing containers”. It homes luxurious bedrooms and suites, a “pampering” spa and Michelin-starred eating. Set inside ten acres of personal gardens, Beau-Rivage Palace is “splendidly grand” and has a “implausible” alternative of eating places.
“Tucked away” within the residential district between Lausanne’s centre and lakeside, Hôtel Royal Savoy has “a lot to supply these within the know”, mentioned The Telegraph. For a “homely various”, simply steps from a few of Lausanne’s “flashiest” motels, Bernaldo Mattress and Breakfast is a “charming” set of individually adorned rooms that are “made for lingering”.
Lavaux is a Unesco World Heritage winery
(Picture credit score: canadastock/Shutterstock)
Consuming and consuming
There are greater than 300 eating places in Lausanne, together with 12 with not less than one Michelin star and 12 which have been awarded a Bib Gourmand. It is solely a small metropolis, mentioned Caroline Bishop on Time Out, however there are “loads of good locations” to eat right here “if you understand the place to search out them”. Traditionalists can go for “traditional Swiss cheese dishes” at devoted locations reminiscent of Pinte Besson and Café Romand. Providing a “feast for the eyes, style buds and soul”, mentioned Ewa Zubek on Tradition Journey, Café Saint-Pierre combines “city stylish with chromatic plastic” and an “ethereal ambiance with vibrant – and flavourful – dishes”.
Lausanne could also be referred to as the Olympic capital, however it’s additionally one of many world’s 12 “Nice Wine Capitals”. Simply “a grape’s throw away” from town is Lavaux, a Unesco World Heritage winery. The Lavaux Winery Terraces stretch for about 18.5 miles alongside the shores of Lake Geneva from the Chateau de Chillon to the jap outskirts of Lausanne. Practically all wine-producing villages have their very own cellars, mentioned greatwinecapitals.com, that are usually open for visiting between Easter and October.
The Olympic Museum is positioned subsequent to the IOC headquarters
(Picture credit score: Suradech Singhanat/Shutterstock)
How you can get to Lausanne
The closest main worldwide airport to Lausanne is 37 miles away in Geneva. From right here you’ll be able to then take a direct prepare or drive, with the journey taking round 45 minutes to an hour. Within the metropolis itself, Lausanne Station has direct rail companies from Paris and Milan.
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