Lausanne
City guide · Canton of Vaud, Switzerland · Switzerland
Lausanne Cathedral - a 12th-century cathedral consecrated in 1275 in the presence of Pope Gregory X and King Rudolf I of Germany · Olympic Museum - featured among the city's top sights
About Lausanne
Lausanne is the capital and largest city of the Swiss French-speaking canton of Vaud, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva (Léman) about halfway between the Jura Mountains and the Alps, and facing the French town of Évian-les-Bains across the lake. Known as the 'Olympic Capital' since 1994, it hosts the International Olympic Committee, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and some 55 international sport associations. The city is built on the southern slope of the Swiss plateau, with a dramatic elevation difference of about 500 meters between the lakeshore at Ouchy and its northern edge, offering panoramic views over the lake and the Swiss and Savoyan Alps. Lausanne is a hilly city with a historic center around the 12th-century Lausanne Cathedral, and it lies in a noted wine-growing region. It is the fourth largest city in Switzerland, with a municipality population of about 150,000 and an agglomeration of about 420,000 inhabitants.
Who this destination fits
Highlights worth planning around
Strong fit
- Designated the 'Olympic Capital' since 1994, hosting the IOC, Court of Arbitration for Sport, and about 55 international sport associations
- Dramatic panorama over Lake Geneva and the Swiss and Savoyan Alps from its hillside position
- Compact rapid transit system: with its 28-station metro, Lausanne is the smallest city in the world to have a rapid transit system
- Rich cultural offerings, including the Plateforme 10 art district launched in June 2022 with three museums (MCBA, Photo Elysée, MUDAC)
- Historic heritage including the 12th-century Lausanne Cathedral, consecrated in 1275
- Located in a noted wine-growing region
Tradeoffs
- Very hilly terrain with about 500 meters of elevation difference between the lakeshore and northern edge, requiring attention to elevation levels when navigating
- The center is crossed by the covered Flon river gorge, with several bridges needed to connect neighborhoods, which can be disorienting
- Not the de jure capital of Switzerland despite hosting the Federal Supreme Court, which may confuse visitors
- Population density is high at 3,501/km² within the 41.38 km² municipality
Plan the trip
Best time to visit
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Planning lead time
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Decision factors
Safety
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Getting around
Lausanne has a 28-station metro system, described as the smallest city in the world to have a rapid transit system. The city's hilly terrain means visitors should note which elevation plane they are on, as streets can be tens of meters above or below where expected.