If your idea of a perfect city break includes enjoying delicious food, sampling local wines, exploring a fascinating old town, admiring lake and mountain views, and devouring Swiss chocolate! โ then, Lausanne in French-speaking Switzerland could be just what youโre looking for.
Two full days in Lausanne will give you plenty of time to discover the highlights of the old quarter, explore the new art district and visit the nearby stunning UNESCO Lavaux vineyards. And eat. And drink wine. Who knew that Swiss wine was so good?
What To See In The Old Town Of Lausanne
Lausanne Cathedral
Lausanne Cathedral is Switzerlandโs largest and most important early Gothic church. And itโs on one of the Camino routes. I get ever so excited when I come across a cathedral on a Camino route; it always brings back such happy memories!
But back to the impressive Lausanne Cathedral- the cathedral dates back to the late 12th, early 13th century. The Gothic interior is particularly beautiful, and I just loved the symmetry.
Compared to many churches Iโve visited, the interior is rather plain because many of the original artwork, sculptures and furnishings were removed during the Reformation in 1536.
Opening Hours of Lausanne Cathedral
Open daily.
From October to March 09:00 -17:30
From April to September 09:00 โ 19:00
Admission is free to enter the cathedral.
Random Fact About Lausanne Cathedral
Lausanne Cathedral was the first cathedral in Europe to have an American pipe organ!
The Bell Tower at Lausanne Cathedral
Even though heights spook me somewhat, I always find myself climbing every tower in every town I visit, and Lausanne was no different. Just 224 steps, and you are rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view over the city. On a clear day, you can see Lake Geneva and the French Alps in the distance.
I went up in the morning, and it was still rather misty over the lake, and the mountains had yet to come into view. But the views were still incredible. Just in front of the cathedral, thereโs a viewing platform, so you will have an idea of how clear it will be before climbing the tower. But I never heed my own advice.
A 600-Year-Old Tradition
Between 10 pm and 2 am every night, the cathedralโs night watchman stands at the top of the bell tower and shouts out each hour to the residents. This role was historically meant to watch over the city and keep an eye out for fires, but now itโs just a charming 600-year-old tradition.
And guess what, for the first time in history, the job is now held by a woman.
Opening Hours For The Bell Tower
From October to March 09:30-12:00 and 13:30 -16:30, Sundays 14:00-16:30.
From April to September 09:30 โ 12:00 and 13:30-18:00, Sundays from 13:00-17:00.
It costs CHF 5 to climb the bell tower. Delighted to say itโs not as scary as the climb up the bell tower in Delft.
Lausanne History Museum
Just next to the Cathedral housed in the former bishopโs palace is the Lausanne History Museu
The permanent exhibition in the museum tells the story of Lausanne โ from its prehistoric beginnings through to today.
The museumโs highlight for me is the incredible miniature model representing 17th century Lausanne on a 1/200 scale. It is based on a 1638 map of the city. A documentary is shown in both English and French that tells the history of Lausanne. When the video talks about a specific part of the city, that part of the model lights up. Itโs really quite cool. Yes, I know, I am easily amused.
Opening Hours Of The Lausanne History Museum
Open daily except Mondays.
11:00 -18:00
Cost CHF 12 to enter but free if you have a Swiss Travel Pass.
The Escaliers du Marchรฉ
The Escaliers du Marchรฉ with its timber roof that lead up to Lausanne Cathedral from the Place de la Palud date back to the 18th century. However, the existence of a staircase here dates back as far as the 13th century. It is rather a steep staircase. I have to say walking around the old town of Lausanne is a good workout. Thank goodness eating Swiss chocolate gives your energy a boost!
Place de la Palud
Place de la Palud is the main square in the heart of the old town. Itโs home to Lausanneโs 17th century City Hall and the Fontaine de la Justice.
The square is filled with boutiques, cafes and florists. As you wander the streets of the old city and get hopelessly lost, you will somehow always end up back in this square.
For those visiting Lausanne with families, be sure to visit the square on the hour. Because every hour between 9 am and 7 pm, you can join the kids who line up to watch the town clock display of the history of Vaud (the canton where Lausanne is). Itโs pretty cute to watch.
Markets In The Old Town
If you happen to be in Lausanne on Wednesday or Saturday, do visit the farmerโs market. Stalls are set up in the Place de la Palud and along the streets that veer off the square. The cheese stalls were particularly good, offering lots of samples. Well, of course, I had to try them all. I did treat myself to some cheese to take back to Malta, but alas, it all ended up in my stomach.
Wander the Streets
But the best part of visiting any old city is to just lose yourself in the streets, and yes, I did get lost a few times. I have no sense of direction, but what a great place to get lost.
And Now For Something A Little More Modern
PLATEFORME 10- A Trendy New Art District In Lausanne
Thereโs a new trendy art district in town. Well, itโs still very much under construction but should be finished by 2022. So far, itโs just the MCBA (The Museum of Fine Arts) which opened its doors in October 2019.
When itโs complete, it will also include the Musรฉe de lโElysee (the photography museum) and Mudac (the Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts).
There will also be restaurants, bookshops (yay!) and boutiques. So it should be nice when itโs done. And itโs right by the train station in Lausanne, so easy to find.
I had a look around the MCBA when I was there. I enjoyed what I call classic art, you know, the 18th-century paintings to post-impressionism. I was very proud of myself when I spotted an image and thought, isnโt that by Monet? And it was. Obviously, my earlier trip this year to Monetโs Garden near Paris had paid off.
Upstairs was the modern art. Some modern art I love, some I just donโt get at all.
Opening Hours Of PLATFORM 10 (Musรฉe cantonal des Beaux-Arts)
Open every day except Mondays.
From 10:00 โ 18:00. Thursdays open until 20:00.
There is no charge to visit the permanent exhibitions.
Olympic Museum
Olympic Museum Lausanne, the Olympic Capital, has been home to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for 100 years and in 1993, the IOC opened the Olympic museum on the banks of Lake Geneva.
The museum is spread over three floors and itโs incredibly well done. Even if youโre not a fan of the Olympics and Iโm not particularly a huge fan โ itโs still a cool museum to visit. The permanent exhibition presents the origin of the Olympic games, through to modern day.
There are loads of interactive exhibits and itโs hard not too actually get a bit emotional watching the Olympic highlights over the years on the gigantic screens. Mind you, I get teary eyed watching Britainโs Got Talent.
Even if you donโt go inside the museum, the grounds are fun to stroll around. Youโll see Olympian statues and the Olympic fire, plus great views of Lake Geneva. Thereโs even a picnic area, so bring your sarnies and enjoy the view.
Check their website for up to date information on tickets, opening hours and exhibitions.
Stroll Along The Ouchy Promenade
Strolling along the Ouchy Promenade by Lake Geneva is a favourite Sunday activity for both inhabitants of Lausanne and visitors.
There are three parks โ the Denantou, the Elysรฉe, the Olympic Park, and a rose garden at the Place du Gรฉnรฉral Guisan.
The Fake Ruined Medieval Haldimand Tower
At one end of the promenade, not far from the Olympic Museum, is the Tour Haldimand. The tower was built about 1825 as part of a daft competition between three noble men. The competition was to see who could build the most beautiful ruined medieval tower. The winner was William Haldimand, owner of the Denantou estate.
The Thai Pavilion
Wasnโt really expecting to see a Thai pavilion in Lausanne. Turns out the Thai pavilion was gifted to the City of Lausanne from His Majesty the King of Thailand in 2005 to mark H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej 60th anniversary of the accession to the throne of and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Switzerland.H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) lived in Lausanne for from 1933 to 1951. I lived in Thailand for 12 years, seeing a little bit of Thai made me a little homesick for a past chapter in my life.
The Lavaux Vineyards โ A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Lavaux vineyards are stunning and should be a must for every visitor to Lausanne. And it doesnโt matter if you donโt even like wine (although itโs even better if you do!) because the scenery alone is just spectacular. There are terraced vineyards as far as the eye can see with Lake Geneva and the Alps as a backdrop. Just wow! What can I say?
The Lavaux Vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can visit several wineries in the area, sample the wines, learn about the local grapes, walk amongst the terraces and just enjoy views of the Swiss Alps. This place really was a highlight of my trip.
I visited the Domaine Croix Duplex. Just a very short walk from Grandvaux Station. It offers wine tastings on their terraceโfabulous views with fabulous wines. The servings were rather generous, and I admit I felt a tiny bit tipsy as I strolled through the vineyards down to Cully Station to catch a train back to Lausanne. Thank goodness the wine was served with yummy local cheeses and hams to keep me from doing anything Iโd regret later.
So for all wine lovers out there, this is what I had.
- Les Barberonnes . A light white wine made from the Chasselas grape, which is the main grape of this region. When Iโm back here in January, I may pick up a bottle or two for those wintry nights caring for two cats.
- Les Fleurettes โ another fabulous white wine. โThis has a fruity, floral taste,โ I said before seeing the label. And I was right. Woohoo, how wine connoisseur am I? A little heavier than the first wine but another new fave. I have never seen Swiss wines on sale in Malta; I shall keep an eye out. This one was a blend of four grapes โ Riesling, Muscat Ottonel, Sylvaner and the Chasselas. It went down very well.
- Next is the Rosรฉ, the Oeil de Perdrix (the partridgeโs eye). I love drinking Rosรฉ on hot summer days, although the local one in Malta, thereโs a really awful after taste and your teeth feel like they are coated in sugar. But although it may not have been summer, the sun was shining, so letโs give the Rosรฉ wine a go. Another winner. Made from Pinot Noir grapes, which Iโm a big fan of anyway.
- Having mentioned that Iโm rather partial to Pinot Noir, out came a bottle of Praz du Roy. Lovely and smooth and made from Pinot noir grapes. I was a little embarrassed now because typically, at wine tastings, there is always one or two wines youโre not so keen on, but this one went down very well too. Will they think Iโm an old lush?
I felt it was time to start making my way back to the city. โNon, non, I as more you must try.โ Who am I to argue with the Swiss?
Out came a bottle of Gameret, another red wine. A little heavier, but it would be a lovely wine with dinner. How would I get these wines onto my Ryan Air flight?
- One more for the road, or rather one more before catching the train. Le Message โ a full-bodied wine. Iโm more a light wine girl. Full-bodied makes me go a little silly. Honestly, I canโt remember how this wine tasted; I had reached my wine limit. But based on the others, I know it had to be good.
The sommelier pointed out the train station in the distance, and off I waddled. Iโm not sure if they are as generous with their wine servings at other wine tastings or because I was on my own, I was treated differently, but it was fun. The wine was great, the company was fun, the views were amazing, and the sun was shining. I love Switzerland!
I have to say I was really impressed with the wines here. It will be tough to return to Maltese wine.
Opening Hours For The Domaine Croix Duplex
Mondays and Saturdays from 10:00 -18:00
Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment
Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 โ 20:00
How To Get To The Lavaux Vineyards
Itโs just ten minutes on the train from Lausanne to Grandvaux, so itโs a straightforward journey. Trains depart every half hour. The only bit that was a tad confusing is that there are eight platforms, and the Lavaux trains depart from platform 70! ๐ค
Also, not all stations are listed on the station board, as no room to write down all the names! So you just have to hope youโre on the right train or practice your French and ask the guard.
Where To Eat In Lausanne
Now, when I wasnโt wandering around the old town or knocking back the wine, I was eating.
I really wanted to try a proper Swiss fondue. I had only ever had fondue in Thailand (not exactly renowned for their fondues!), and I was eager to try the real thing. But donโt order one of these dishes in summer, only tourists do that, a Swiss fondue is a winter dish. Fortunately, I was there end of October, so perfect timing.
And one benefit of travelling solo is not having to share. All the bread and potatoes dunked into the cheesy sauce was mine, just mine. Washed down with a couple of glasses of local red wine. Delish!
Cafรฉ du Grรผtli
So where did this little bit of heavenly fondue dining take place โ at Cafรฉ du Grรผtli. Just off Place de la Palud in the old town in a charming historical building that dates back to the 14th century. This place is popular with both locals and visitors, so probably a good idea to make a reservation in advance.
La Brasserie De Montbenon
Another excellent dining spot is La Brasserie De Montbenon, one of Lausanneโs trendiest dining spots. Itโs located in the Esplanade de Montbenon Park, and has excellent views over the lake and is a good spot for sunsets. On summer evenings, you can dine out romantically under the stars on the terrace. Too chilly for that, I was staying inside for sure.
I have to say, at first, I was a little intimidated coming here. I love solo travel, but solo dining still freaks me out a little. Iโm quite content in small restaurants, but the more prominent venues where itโs all couples and large groups of people make me a tad uncomfortable. But hey, travel is all about stepping outside your comfort zone, isnโt it?
So I went, and Iโm glad I did. This restaurant is where you can enjoy terroir products with a modern twist. Now, itโs a well-known fact that Iโm the worldโs worst vegetarian, especially when I travel because I donโt want to miss out, and this night was no exception.
I started with a pรขtรฉ dish thatโs usually a starter for two people, but with no one to share it with, I ate it all. I do love pรขtรฉ. Followed by a ravioli dish with roe deer meat. I love pasta dishes, and this was really amazing. Feeling very full afterwards and thinking no way could I ever eat again, I heard myself saying yes please to a dessert. Well, you never say no to a creme brรปlรฉe!
Cafe de Grancy
I had a great lunch at Cafe de Grancy. If you donโt feel like walking, this excellent lunch spot is conveniently located next to the Grancy metro stop on the M2 and just a few minutes walk from Lausanneโs train station.
I sat outside on the terrace, it may have been the end of October, but it was a beautiful sunny day. Although, it was nice to have the outdoor heaters on as well.
What did I eat? I had the Swiss equivalent of bangers and mash. Thatโs sausages with mashed potatoes for those not familiar with English dishes.
Delicious. I feel I may have to go on a strict diet when I return home at this rate.
For vegetarians, they do have some great veggie options. I was tempted but got sidetracked.
Le Nabi
Le Nabi is located inside the Museum of Fine Arts at Plateforme 10. I enjoyed a light veggie lunch here. My body was beginning to cry out that I needed to stop eating this crazy amount of food, so I was craving something light.
Iโm not 100% convinced I got what I ordered. Iโm very British that I accept what Iโm given and never wish to question if itโs a mistake or not. But whether it was or not, it was a delicious vegetarian dish. Allowing me space to enjoy my upcoming last meal in Lausanne. Although had I known how much wine I would be consuming at that afternoonโs wine tasting, I may have lined the stomach a little more.
Good selection of teas here too.
Eat Me
The Eat Me restaurant is a fun venue. Perfect spot for a night with friends, and tonight I had a dinner companion. No, nothing like that!!!
The restaurant serves small dishes. I guess youโd call them tapas from all over the world. Itโs a great concept. And great food too.
Take a look at their menu, and youโll see what I mean.
Best Time To Visit Lausanne
The weather in Lausanne ranges from really rather cold in the winter to sunny and warm in the summer. Iโd say the best time to visit Lausanne is during Spring and Summer.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Lausanne, and it is also the busiest time of the year. The average temperature in summer is 20ยฐC. A perfect time to enjoy water activities on Lake Geneva and the cityโs many festivals.
September has temperatures similar to the summer, but it can get quite chilly by November. The average temperature is 11ยฐC. The autumn colours make the countryside quite picturesque.
I visited in October. My friends in Malta said I must be mad; it would be cold, grey and rainy. I got lucky, a little chilly but beautiful clear blue skies once the mist had burned off. Meanwhile, in Malta, they had torrential rain.
The average temperature in winter is 2ยฐC. Yikes, Iโm going to be back here in January! Iโll let you know just how cold it really gets.
How To Get To Lausanne
The nearest airport to Lausanne is Geneva Airport. Direct trains run between Geneva Airport and Lausanne up to four times per hour and only take 50 minutes. Zurich Airport is another option with direct trains to Lausanne in just under three hours.
Itโs also possible to take direct trains to Lausanne from Paris and Milan. I travelled by train to Lausanne from my house-sit in Delft to Switzerland with a quick change in Frankfurt. It was a long day, but I prefer train travel to flying.
If you prefer driving, well as you can imagine, the road network in Switzerland is excellent.
How To Get Around Lausanne
I have to say in Lausanne, well everywhere in Switzerland really, public transport is incredibly efficient.
When you stay in a hotel in Lausanne, you receive a free public transport pass for the bus, metro and trains for the duration of your trip (up to 15 days.) So, you can jump around Lausanne and its surroundings for free. Yes, that even includes your visit to the UNESCO vineyards.
Exploring the old city on foot is easy, but you may want to use the metro when visiting some of the other neighbourhoods. And if you walked up the incredibly steep Rue du Petit-Chรชne from Lausanneโs central train station (oh, itโs only a ten-minute walk to the city centre!) when you arrived, you wonโt want to walk that again.
Top Tips For Visiting Lausanne
Getting By In English
French, German, Italian and Romansh are the official languages in Switzerland. Lausanne is located in the French-speaking region, but donโt panic if your schoolgirl or schoolboy French is not up to scratch. English is widely spoken, especially in the main cities.
Swiss Currency
In Switzerland, the currency is the Swiss Franc. There are plenty of ATMs and money changers in Lausanne. I used my card the whole time and didnโt use cash at all. Donโt forget when paying by card, always choose to pay in the local currency.
Get A Sim Card
As Iโm sure you are aware, Switzerland is an expensive country to visit, so make sure you donโt get stuck with high roaming charges. Get yourself a local sim card on arrival.
Most hotels and restaurants, though, do offer free wifi, but sometimes itโs handy to have access to GPS on your phone if, like me, you are prone to getting lost.
As I never pay any attention to my own advice, I didnโt get myself a SIM card, but fortunately did remember to turn off data roaming. Although, I did turn on Google Maps for a teeny weeny bit, and it ended up costing me 20 euros!
Bring A Water Bottle
Bring a water bottle with you. The water straight from the tap is delicious in Switzerland. Save money and save the planet by not buying plastic bottles of water.
Wear Comfy Shoes
Wear comfortable shoes; you will probably be doing a lot of walking.
Tipping
Tipping is welcome but not expected.
Eat Lots Of Swiss Chocolate
My favourite chocolate shop is Durig Chocolatier . Their hot chocolate is lush. Their shop is just off the Place de la Palud, almost opposite Cafรฉ du Grรผtli.
I will definitely be stocking up here here on my next visit.
Is It Safe For Solo Travellers?
Now, as I travel alone, Iโm always asked if a place is safe for solo travellers, in particular solo female travellers. Yes, I felt extremely safe wandering around the city. Switzerland is actually considered to be one of the safest countries in the world.
Where To Stay in Lausanne
I stayed three nights in Lausanne at the mid-range Hotel des Voyagers. It was in a great location, right in the heart of the city but in a quiet pedestrian area, and opposite a chocolate shop!
Only 35 rooms which I like โ Iโm really not keen on the big chain hotels.
The rooms were modern and spotlessly clean. However, the magnifying mirror in the bathroom was a bit evil โ surely, I donโt look that bad โ donโt answer that! But the shower pressure was excellent and strong, just the way I like it.
However, there are places to stay to suit most budgets in Lausanne. From cheap hostels to five-star hotels. Whenever I travel, I usually book my accommodation through Booking.com.
I really loved my brief time in Lausanne. I knew the old city would be pretty, but I honestly never expected the wine and food to have been as excellent as it was. Except for the chocolate, I knew that was going to be good!
Day Trips From Lausanne
For an easy to do day trip from Lausanne, consider a trip to nearby Vevey. Home to Chaplinโs World and a Giant Fork, thereโs a lot to see to Vevey and itโs well worth a visit. For more information on a day trip to Vevey, I have a more detailed post here. Not far from Vevey is Montreux and the charming Chillon Castle which can easily be combined with Vevey but really merits a full day.
A little bit further, but only just over an hour away by train is a trip to Gruyรจres. If you love cheese, castles, and cutesy medieval towns, you will love Gruyรจres.
If you enjoyed this post on Lausanne, please share it with your friends.
Disclaimer: I visited Lausanne as a guest of the Lausanne Tourist Board. And yes, I really did enjoy my time exploring the city, so much so that I am really looking forward to returning in January to house sit for two cats.
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It’s funny how similar towns in Switzerland are – the first three things to do look exactly like things I did in zurich! I need to see more to compare ๐
Lol, there is definitely a Swiss style about the cities ๐
Lausanne sounds wonderful! So interesting that Swiss fondue is a winter dish, I’ll have to remember that when I visit so I don’t make the mistake of ordering it during the summer!
I have to admit, even if I had visited in summer, I would have had a fondue. After all, I am a tourist ๐
This is such helpful and inspiring information for my next trip to Switzerland–especially the food! Thank you so much!
Great article! I never imagined there would be so much to see and do in Lausanne, so it’s definitely on my list of places to visit next summer!
Thank you. I’m sure you’d love it. It would be a wonderful place to visit during the summer.
With a beautiful old church, cheese, chocolate, and wine this sounds like a perfect place for me. I love that you can get around with just public transportation, as well!
Public transportation can be a challenge in some places, but it was fine in Switzerland. It’s trying to find parking, is what I hate most.
We were sorry we did not get to spend any time in Lausanne when we visited Switzerland. I am not sure two days would be enough to enjoy all the great sights. We too would want to climb every tower and get those panoramic views. We would definitely want to be there for market day. And why would we pass on the wine tasting?
The wine tasting was amazing. I had no idea Swiss wine was so good. It’s not available in the shops in Malta!
Lausanne looks very intriguing, especially with the free public transport pass-what a great idea!
I agree, I think more cities should do that.
This town is so picturesque, particularly the view from the bell tower. I love the watchman tradition at the cathedral (I imagine the neighbors are used to it). I didn’t even know that there were American pipe organs. And the farmer’s markets are a must for me.
I love the farmers markets – especially when there’s cheese involved, lol
I think first time visitors has to be warned about the night watchman shouts at night. If not theyโll like โwhatโs that?โ Lol. The choices of eating places sounds great. I like places like Eat Me that serves light dinner.
Yes, I thought someone was stuck up there when I heard it lol
Lausanne sounds like a very interesting place, with good range of things to do. That pic of Fondue is tempting me a lot.I loved the beautiful old church. Hope I can visit.
Lausanne looks gorgeous! I’ve never spent much time in Switzerland but you’ve certainly sold Lausanne to me! Especially with the food – looks delicious. Great post as always.
Looks like you had a great visit sampling what Lausanne has to offer. It definitely has all the things I seek out in a new location. I love trains so that would be a bonus for me. They are hard to come by here in the States as a means of “local” transportation.
I love getting around by train . Can’t bear buses or driving, lol. I’d have trouble in the states lol
Lausanne sound absolutely wonderful and you have created a great guide. That cheese fondue had me! Just right for the cold and miserable day we are having today.
I love that view from the Bell Tower. The Old Town would just be perfect for me given that I enjoy old architecture and quaint places.
Looks like you had a great time in Lausanne. ๐
Other than the modern art Lausanne sound like a dream location for me. I am obsessed with wine, cheese, gorgeous views, chocolate, and Monet. And I never miss climbing a tower.
Lausanne is so beautiful! And love the history especially the bell tower tradition. Great guide!
Lausanne looks like such a beautiful place to visit! The view from the bell tower is spectacular! The Thai Pavillion is beautiful too! What a fascinating place to explore. Thanks for the great guide!
We spent a rainy afternoon walking around Lausanne and didn’t get to see nearly enough. I imagine that means it is time to go back!
Lausanne – wow what a lovely little virtual trip I just took with you! Hope to visit, view the Art, taste the chocolates and walk thru the beautiful Vineyards- I love to travel in the “off Seasons” to really feel a bit more a part of wherever I visit so glad you went like that too!
Fondue! I didn’t realize that is considered a winter dish, so now I have to visit Lausanne in the winter. Thanks for sharing this fun post.
The architecture on the Thai pavilion looks amazing – I’d love to see it in person! The vineyards also look so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!