Lausanne Sights and Landmarks Guide, Switzerland

Lausanne Sights – The City Aspect

Lausanne is a sight in itself due to the spectacular scenery that surrounds and to the unique aspect of the city. The difference in altitude of over 500 meters between the upper and lower part of the city make its exploration an adventurous and often risky project, as streets sometimes have a ten meter difference between them. The former river that used to cross the city and has been dried out (similar to that in Valencia, Spain) offers an amazing sight with the bridges that cross over what now is an immense park. Lausanne also offers breathtaking medieval architecture in the form of churches and monuments and modern buildings which turn the city into a lively and popular destination. The surrounding areas with Lake Geneva and the Alps are just outside the city and the Swiss city of Geneva is at 50 kilometers northeast of the city.

Lausanne Sights – The Cathedral and the City Hall

Probably the most impressive of the classical Lausanne sights is Notre Dame de Lausanne, the 12th century cathedral. It has recently been restored maintaining all the original characteristics with a lively and colorful interior and an organ which was brought in 2003 and has spectacular musical characteristics, reason for which famous concerts are being held in the Cathedral all year long. Another Lausanne sight that is not to be missed is the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall). This was built in the 17th century and it is representative for the style of architecture known as 17th century Vaud. It has a very slim and original silhouette and it was especially designed to fit the surrounding areas and impose its political and administrative function at the same time.

Lausanne Sights – Museums and Galleries

Lausanne is also home to many museums of great importance and originality. The Olympic Museum attracts more than 250.000 visitors a year and it is the world’s larges archive of the Olympic Games. There are also the Cantonal Money Museum where you can find how money was and still is made and how it functioned since the oldest times, as well as the Cantonal Museum of Archeology and History, where you’ll be able to discover 15.000 years of Vaud history. The artistic side has lots of galleries and museums to offer as well, starting with the Art Brut Collection to the Cantonal Fine Arts Museum and the contemporary art spaces Galerie Lucy Mackintosh, Synopsism and Espace Saint-Francois. This is where you’ll find recent works from local and European art creators and the importance given to such artistic manifestations is comparable to that in the larger Bern and Geneva.