Things to do in Lausanne
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Top 10 attractions in Lausanne
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is located on the border between Switzerland and France, nestled between the Alps in a crescent shape, with approx. 60% of its waters within Switzerland. The lake water is clear and blue, with distant snow-capped mountains reflected in it, forming a typical view of theAlpine region. Numerous views and landmarks are distributed along the lakeshore. Chillon Castle, built on a rock in the lake, has stood for nearly a thousand years and is one of Switzerland's famous medieval buildings, and Byron once wrote a famous long poem about it. The towns along the shore each have their own charm. Geneva blends modern urban vibes with historical heritage, and Montreux is known for its pleasant lakeside climate. Taking a boat cruise on the lake is a classic way to enjoy the panoramic view of Lake Geneva and the scenery on both shores. In summer, you can enjoy water activities such as sailing and kayaking on the lake, while in winter, you can head to the nearbyAlpine regionto ski.Saint-Prex · 11.8km from Lausanne
The Olympic Museum
The International Olympic Committee has been located in Lausanne since 1915, and Lausanne is also known as the "Olympic Capital", and this museum on the shores of Lake Leman is also a famous Olympic museum in the world. Opened in 1993, the museum is the largest Olympic competition information center in the world. It shows people the history of the Olympic Movement from ancient Greece to the present through art, documents, films, etc., and combines sports, art, Olympic spirit and culture. combined. There are also conference halls, bars, coffee houses, and a sculpture park overlooking the Alps and the lake, which is very suitable for taking pictures.Lausanne · 1.2km from downtown
Olympic Park
Olympic Parkis located in the Ouchy district on the shores of the lake in Lausanne. It is the front garden of The Olympic Museum, with green space spreading out in layers along the slope and extending all the way to the shores of Lake Geneva. Lausanne is known as the Olympic Capital, and the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee is located in this city. This lakeside green space, covering over 8,000 square meters, is the perfect prelude to visiting The Olympic Museum—it is less of an ordinary park and more of an open-air sports sculpture museum. The park is dotted with over 40 sports-themed sculptures, most of which are gifts to the International Olympic Committee from various national Olympic committees and international sports organizations: the "Cyclists" group sculpture, gifted by Hungary, cleverly uses wheels to form the image of the Olympic rings; the bronze "Athlete Tying His Hair," gifted by Greece, has a prototype that can be traced back to ancient Greek sculptures from the 5th century BC; in addition, there is the rounded "Girl with Ball" by Colombian artist Botero, the "Relay Runner" from Monaco, and a memorial statue of the famous Finnish long-distance runner Nurmi. Artistic styles from different countries converge in this same green space; walking through and viewing them is like flipping through a three-dimensional history of the Olympics.Lausanne · 1.4km from downtown
Lausanne Cathedral
Perched on the hill in Lausanne's Old Town, Lausanne Cathedral is one of the largest Gothic churches in Switzerland and is considered a representative work of European Gothic architecture. As you climb the steps from many of the Old Town's streets and alleys, you can see its towering spire from afar. Construction of the church began in the second half of the 12th century and spanned over a century. It was consecrated by Pope Gregory X in 1275, with King Rudolf I of the Habsburg dynasty present at the ceremony. Following the Reformation in 1536, it became a Protestant Reformed church and has remained in use to this day. The church's facade is adorned with carvings: the main west door is decorated with statues of biblical figures, saints, and bishops, while the south side retains a 13th-century painted door. The statues beside the door are original medieval works. Although the colors have faded, the delicate craftsmanship remains clearly visible. The interior is solemn and dignified, with restored medieval paintings still visible on the stone pillars. The 13th-century choir stalls and the tomb with a recumbent effigy of Knight Otto de Grandson are also worth a close look.Lausanne · 321m from downtown
Golden Pass Railway
Two languages, three worlds, six lakes, one route: this is the Golden Pass route. In Montreux, the palm trees and southern vibes along the "Swiss Riviera" still prevail. French romance fills the air. Vineyards and gardens can be captured as the Golden Pass Express goes uphill, the trains are fading away, and a look back at Lake Geneva, the tunnels, and more. The Golden Pass Express is a fascinating route connecting the beautiful lakes of Switzerland such as Lake Geneva, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and Lake Lucerne.Montreux · 23.1km from Lausanne
Lavaux Vinorama
Lavaux Vinorama is situated on the lakeside slopes between Lausanne and Vevey, right in the heart of the Lavaux vineyard terraces. Since the Middle Ages, winemakers have cultivated these slopes into terraced vineyards, which are dotted with villages, old-fashioned taverns, and wine cellars. Ample sunshine, light reflected from the lake, and heat stored by stone walls all nourish the vines, making Lavaux a renowned wine region in Switzerland, where Chasselas white wine is the signature. This is not a traditional museum displaying ancient artifacts, but a tasting center dedicated to Lavaux wines. The interior features nearly 300 wines selected by local winemakers, resembling a wine library where you can find everything from Chasselas white wines from different estates and red wines made from the ancient Lavaux variety Plant Robert, to Grand Cru vintages. The tasting experience is also layered. You can start with a horizontal comparison of several Chasselas wines, followed by an in-depth tasting that includes Grand Cru white wines paired with cheese. With a glass in hand, you can sit in the indoor tasting area to savor the wines slowly, or step out onto the terrace to take in the view of Lake Geneva and the shadows of the mountains on the opposite shore. You can also join a guided walking tour of the terraces organized by the venue, ranging from short tours of 1 or 2 hours to half-day tours that include a wine cellar visit, which can be followed by a tasting.Puidoux · 12.1km from Lausanne
Lausanne-Ouchy
Ouchy Wharf is one of the more important water transportation hubs of Lake Geneva. There are some cafes, restaurants and hotels along the coast, where you can fully enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Geneva. There are many ferries and cruise ships parked near the pier, and there are many private yachts in sight. In addition to taking a boat tour of the lake, you can also take a boat to Montreux and Vevey, or to the opposite town of Evian. On sunny days, the area around Wuxi Wharf always gives people a relaxed and comfortable feeling. Many people sit on chairs in open-air restaurants and enjoy sunbathing, or feed swans by the lake, enjoy the lake view, and sometimes see the streets Artist's performance. In addition, there are many green parks, squares and sculpture landscapes around, which are very suitable for walking and relaxing.Lausanne · 1.7km from downtown
Chillon Castle
Chillon Castle stands on a small rocky island jutting into the eastern end of Lake Geneva, facing the lakeside town of Montreux and connected to the shore by a wooden bridge. The entire castle follows the contours of the oval island rock, surrounded by water on all sides. From the shore, it appears to float on the lake, with its gray-white stone walls and reddish-brown conical towers reflecting the lake and mountain scenery like a painting. The land-facing side is studded with arrow slits and shooting ports, forming a heavily fortified defense structure, while the lakeside features elegant Gothic arched windows, once the residence of the House of Savoy—a harmonious blend of strength and grace in this ancient waterborne fortress. The earliest written records of the castle date back to the mid-12th century, though its central keep was built in the 11th century, predating documented history. Strategically located on a vital north-south European trade route, merchants traveling to Rome via the Great St. Bernard Pass would pass by its gates. The House of Savoy leveraged this position to collect tolls and expanded the castle into their summer palace in the 13th century. After Bernese forces captured it in 1536, it successively became a bailiff's residence, armory, and prison. The castle's fame stems partly from its dungeon: François Bonivard, abbot of Geneva's St. Victor Abbey, was chained to a pillar here for years after opposing the Duke of Savoy's control of Geneva, until his rescue by the Bernese. In 1816, Lord Byron visited, immortalized the story in his poem "The Prisoner of Chillon," and carved his name on the pillar. Rousseau featured it in "Julie, or the New Heloise," while Hugo and other literati also wrote about it. Crossing the wooden bridge into the castle reveals courtyards, halls, bedrooms, the keep, and dungeons—like stepping through a three-dimensional medieval history book. The underground prison is particularly noteworthy: its walls are built from the island's natural rock, topped with Gothic vaulting typically reserved for cathedrals, with Byron's inscribed pillar still standing. Several grand halls once hosted Savoyard feasts, their windows framing Lake Geneva's vistas. The Bernese bedroom displays an elaborate four-poster bed with heating, a bathroom, and running water—remarkably advanced for its time. The Chapel of St. George preserves 14th-century religious murals, rare survivors of Reformation iconoclasm. The armory exhibits medieval to 17th-century weapons—swords, halberds, arquebuses, crossbows, and armor—offering insights into period warfare. Visitors should linger: beyond interior artifacts, the lakeside path offers classic panoramic views of this aquatic fortress.Veytaux · 25.4km from Lausanne
The Fork - Alimentarium
The Fork is a unique public art installation located on the shores of Lake Geneva in Vevey, right next to the Lavaux Food Museum. Standing about eight meters tall, the giant stainless steel fork stands in the lake, creating a striking landscape along the lakefront. The Fork was initially installed temporarily to celebrate the museum's 10th anniversary, but due to its popularity, it has since become a permanent exhibit. Visitors can stroll along the lake and admire the integration of this artwork with the lake and the mountains. The Fork is not only a popular spot for taking photos, but also provides visitors with an opportunity to think about the relationship between food and culture. The nearby Lavaux Food Museum offers more exhibitions on the history and culture of food, which is worth a visit as well. The city of Vevey, where the Fork is located, is easily accessible by train or bus. The city center is just a short walk from the lake, and there are many restaurants and cafes around, so it is convenient for visitors to enjoy a meal after viewing the Fork.Vevey · 17.7km from Lausanne
International Olympic Committee
The IOC Headquarters is housed in a glass building shaded by woods, close to Lake Geneva and surrounded by beautiful scenery. The office building is very low-key and small. It seems to be completely incompatible with the name of the Olympic Committee, and it is not usually open to the public, but there are still many tourists who come here to check in and take pictures. For a considerable period of time after the establishment of the International Olympic Committee, the residence of the father of the Olympics, Coubertin, in Paris was the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. In 1915, in order to avoid the interference of the war on the Olympic movement, Coubertin moved the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee to Lausanne, Switzerland. Since then, Lausanne has forged an indissoluble bond with the Olympic Movement. In 1982, the International Olympic Committee declared Lausanne the "Olympic City", and on December 5, 1993, the International Olympic Committee declared Lausanne the "Olympic Capital".Lausanne · 2.8km from downtown
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What travellers say about Lausanne
yanke17 July 2025
5.0
Lake Geneva, which shares the same name as the city, is very vast, with a sapphire-like color and sparkling in the sun. From Geneva Airport, you can take a train to Nyon, a small town on the shore of Lake Geneva. The hotel rooms there are large, and the lake view rooms also have terraces to enjoy the lake view. The breakfast is very rich and cost-effective. From the dock in Nyon, you can take a boat to the French flower town opposite and experience the fun of crossing two countries in half an hour. The price of the flower town is lower than that of Switzerland, and it is very pleasant to enjoy authentic French food there.
Lake Geneva
110***3617 July 2026
5.0
Excellent, definitely worth a visit. This is the most worthwhile place to visit in Lausanne. There are many things to see on the first four floors, especially the basement with its many video game exhibits – definitely worth checking out. The building faces Lake Geneva, making it a great spot for taking photos.
The Olympic Museum
小思文30 April 2021
4.0
The Olympic Park is also a very beautiful place. The whole park is very large and the environment is quite elegant. There are many exhibits in the park, and you can enjoy many Olympic sports here. The visit to the park is also quite unique.
Olympic Park
Munliga Pandontong9 April 2023
5.0
Lausanne Cathedral (Cathédrale de Lausanne) or the full name Notre-Dame Cathedral of Lausanne (French: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Lausanne) is a Protestant cathedral in the city of Lausanne, Switzerland. The cathedral was begun in the 12th century in 1170 and completed in 1235. Later, the cathedral was dedicated to the Virgin Mary by a proclamation of Pope Gregory X in 1275. It is also known as Notre-Dame Cathedral. Lausanne Cathedral was the largest cathedral in Switzerland at that time. It was built in the Gothic style. The entrance arch is beautifully carved. Inside, there are stained glass windows that can be reached by climbing 160 steps to the top of the cathedral.
Lausanne Cathedral
Gully2 February 2025
5.0
It is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. In summer time, you’re almost guaranteed to have great weather. There are multiple paths to hike for more and less experiences trekkers.
Golden Pass Railway
Nachtisch9 November 2025
5.0
The museum is located in the small town of Rütri in the Swiss canton of Vaud, nestled on the shores of the beautiful Lake Geneva, at the heart of the Lavaux vineyard terraces.
This museum is not a traditional exhibit displaying antiques, but rather a window into the soul of the Lavaux vineyard terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Converted from an old farmhouse, it blends seamlessly into the surrounding vineyard landscape and is itself part of the heritage.
Lavaux Vinorama
莲子995 April 2021
5.0
The pier is very beautiful and quiet. Sitting by the water, you can feel the passage of time. It is very comfortable. The boats are small and delicate without being luxurious. The sculptures are modern but very impressive.
Lausanne-Ouchy
草凡人19 April 2025
5.0
Take the train to Montreux and stroll along the shore of Lake Geneva. Beyond the water are the snow-capped mountains, stretching quietly. Chillon Castle is on a small stone island near the water. It is not big, but it takes you back to medieval Europe. It is worth a visit.
Chillon Castle
Venus1116 November 2021
4.0
Fork Lake📍
Must-visit attractions when coming to Vevey
Choose a location you like💺
Sit down and stare at the beautiful scenery in front of you in a daze
Feel the sun and sea🌞🌊
Very comfortable😍🌅
The Fork - Alimentarium
Herman_traveller8 September 2019
5.0
Lausanne is the Olympics capital, so visiting to Lausanne without stopping at the Olympics museum isn't complete. We learned a lot about the history of the Olympics here.
International Olympic Committee
