Discover 10 must-see places to visit in Lausanne, canton de Vaud !
Lausanne, the Olympic capital
Lausanne, the Olympic capital, is one of the main Swiss cities located in the Canton of Vaud, in the french-speaking part of Switzerland. It is full of historical wonders that will make your stay memorable. Take the time to visit Lausanne and discover its heritage and its fun and unique activities ! Every month, the Star on Tour goes around Lausanne to give you a taste of everything that our beautiful city has to offer !
1. The Historical Museum of Lausanne
Visiting Lausanne starts with discovering the Historical Museum! Take a leap in the past by learning the history of the city and discovering the famous city model representing Lausanne as it was in the XVIIth century !
©David Picart
2. Lausanne Cathedral
Visiting Lausanne, you cannot miss the Cathedral and its heritage ! For an authentic experience, stand in front of the cathedral at 10 pm to witness a tradition dating back to the 15th century: the night watchman stands at the top of the Cathedral’s bell tower and shouts out each hour to the residents. Built during the 13th century, the Lausanne Cathedral is a strong symbol of the city and its influence has even become international. To learn more about its origins, guided tours are organized every day.
©Laurent Kaczor
3. Olympic Museum
Visiting Lausanne, you must stop at the Olympic Museum in Ouchy! It takes you back into the history of sport through activities and games, to feel the emotions of the Olympic games. Lausanne deserves its title of Olympic capital !
©Lydie Nesvadba3
4. Flon district
Visiting Lausanne, you will naturally stop by the lively Flon district. The Flon, located in the city center, is a former industrial district which is, today, very representative of the modern and economic life of the city of Lausanne. Independent stores, cinema, restaurants, bars and discos: it is the local’s favorite place for a nice evening with friends.
©Phillip Waterton
5. Old town
Visiting Lausanne, you will walk through the narrow streets, going up and down, following the city undulating contours: the stairs to the city, the Palud square and its mythical clock (offering every hour animated swiss scenes), the well-known Rue de Bourg and a meringue with double cream on a terrace… Perfect combination for a memorable stay !
©REGIS COLOMBO/diapo.ch
6. Sauvabelin Tower
Visiting Lausanne means gaining height to watch the city from a different perspective, 35 meters to be exact! Meet at the top of the Sauvabelin Tower, after having climbed its 302 steps, to admire breathtaking views of the city, Lake Geneva, the Alps, the Jura and the Plateau! An eco-friendly info: it was built with wood from the Municipality.
©Hugues Siegenthaler
7. Hermitage Fondation
Visiting Lausanne, you will discover unique exhibitions at the Fondation de l’Hermitage, mainly devoted to 19th and 20th century paintings. The collection includes nearly 650 works, regularly presented during temporary exhibitions. Not to be missed: the view over the cathedral and Lake Geneva !
©Marino Trotta
8. Vaud Zoology Museum
Visiting Lausanne, you will travel back in time and (re)discover animal species at the Vaud Zoology Museum. The main gallery will impress you with its large number of animals exhibited : have you ever seen a 5m89 shark ? The opportunity to see extinct animals and to raise awareness regarding the threats to biodiversity.
©LAURENT KACZOR
9. Lausanne botanical museum and garden
Visiting Lausanne, you will fall in love with nature and (re)discover nearly 6000 plants from all over the world. Open your eyes and (re)discover rare flowers, a beautiful collection from the canton that will transport you to the four corners of the globe.
©Maxime Genoud
10. Lake Geneva
Visiting Lausanne, you cannot miss the breathtaking views over Lake Geneva and French Alps. During summer, have a swim and organise a barbecue on the lakeside, and during winter, have a walk along the shores of Lake Geneva enjoying the views over the snow-capped mountains! A breathtaking panorama that locals never get tired of! To see Switzerland from a different perspective, take a cruise on the lake to observe, for example, the Lavaux vineyard terraces, a UNESCO listed site. In fact, you can stop there to walk through the vineyards and taste the local wines ! Santé!
©David Picart
Enjoy your holidays to the fullest with our pétanque strip, for a real summer feeling with your family or friends, along with a home-made or local aperitif….for the more sporty clients, we also have a table-tennis table !
Fine sandy beaches, the sound of waves… Welcome to the beaches of Préverenges and Denges, only 5 minutes* from the hotel ! You can rent canoes or stand-up paddles for an invigorating trip, or boats and pedal boats for a family outing. For the more adventurous, why not try kitesurfing** ? Yes, this activity is also available on the shores of Lake Geneva !
Less than an hour from the Starling Hotel Lausanne, you can also discover the Castle of Chillon, the Cailler chocolate factory, the thermal baths Les Bains de Lavey, Montreux and its mythical walks, breathtaking hikes, Chaplin’s World in Vevey to follow in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin… The whole team is at your disposal should you need any information about the places to visit !
Enjoy your holidays with us !
*by car **take advantage of our partnership with the surfshop
