Lausanne is Switzerland's fourth-largest city and the world capital of the Olympic movement, sitting on the north shore of Lake Geneva with dramatic views of the French Alps. The best things to do in Lausanne include the Olympic Museum, the Lavaux UNESCO terraced vineyards (15 minutes east by train), the Ouchy lakefront, the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, and day trips to Montreux and the Château de Chillon.
| Population | 140,000 (metro 420,000) |
| Language | French (English widely spoken at EPFL/IOC/UNIL) |
| Currency | Swiss franc (CHF) |
| Airport | Geneva Cointrin (GVA) — 45 min by train |
| Best time to visit | May–September (wine harvest in September) |
| Getting around | TL metro, trams, and buses · metro runs 24h on weekends |
| Average hotel | CHF 160–300/night (centre/Ouchy) |
| From Lausanne to | Geneva 45 min · Montreux 25 min · Zurich 2h20 · Bern 1h |
Best Things to Do in Lausanne
Olympic Museum
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is headquartered in Lausanne, and the Olympic Museum on the Ouchy lakefront is the definitive collection of Olympic history — from ancient Greece to the present. The building, grounds, and interactive exhibitions make it one of the best thematic museums in Switzerland.
Tip: The museum garden overlooking Lake Geneva has impressive sculptures and is free to wander.
Lavaux UNESCO Vineyards
The Lavaux wine region stretches 30 km east of Lausanne along the lake, producing Chasselas white wines from terraced vineyards first planted by Cistercian monks in the 12th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The walk from Grandvaux to Rivaz (2 hours) is one of Switzerland's finest walks.
Tip: The Lavaux Express mini-train (April–October) runs through the vineyards from Cully and St-Saphorin, perfect if you'd rather ride than walk.
Ouchy Lakefront
Ouchy is Lausanne's lakeside district, connected to the city centre by the M2 metro (3 minutes). The lakefront promenade, the Belle Époque hotels, the marina, and the departure point for CGN lake cruises create a relaxed atmosphere distinct from the busier hilltop city. Paddle-boarding and kayak rentals available in summer.
Tip: The Lausanne-Ouchy Sunday market (April–October) along the lakefront is excellent.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
The Gothic Cathedral Notre-Dame de Lausanne (13th century) is one of the finest Gothic buildings in the Swiss Confederation. The rose window and carved portal are extraordinary. The cathedral still employs a watchman (the Guet) who calls the hours at night from the tower — one of the last such traditions in Europe.
Tip: Climb the tower for the best views of the lake and the Alps; small admission fee.
Rolex Learning Center (EPFL)
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) campus houses the Rolex Learning Center — a SANAA-designed building of extraordinary fluid architecture that functions as a public library and social space. Free entry. The EPFL campus also has the ArtLab exhibition space and is open to visitors.
Tip: Take the M1 metro to EPFL (10 minutes from Flon) — the campus is easy to explore on foot.
Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts
The new Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts in the PLATEFORME 10 arts district (a former railway depot, opened 2019) gives Lausanne a major modern art venue. The collection focuses on Swiss art from the 18th century to the present, with significant Vallotton and Félix Vallotton holdings.
Tip: PLATEFORME 10 groups three cantonal Vaud museums in one site — visit all three on the combined ticket.
Château de Chillon Day Trip
The Château de Chillon, set on a rocky island on Lake Geneva 25 minutes from Lausanne (direct train to Veytaux-Chillon), is the most visited historic monument in Switzerland. Lord Byron immortalised it in 'The Prisoner of Chillon' (1816). Medieval rooms, dungeons, and spectacular lake views. Admission CHF 14.50.
Tip: Visit on a clear morning for the best light on the chateau reflected in the lake.
Flon District
The Flon is Lausanne's creative and nightlife hub — a former industrial valley transformed into a cluster of galleries, independent shops, clubs, restaurants, and cultural venues. It's where the M2 metro hub is, making it the transition point between Ouchy and the hilltop old town.
Tip: Thursday–Saturday evenings, the Flon is lively from early evening to late night.
Lausanne Diamond League
The Lausanne Diamond League athletics meet (annually in August or September) is one of the most important track and field events in the world, held at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise. Tickets are relatively affordable (CHF 30–80) and the atmosphere is outstanding.
Tip: Book tickets on the World Athletics website as soon as they go on sale.
Lausanne as the Olympic Capital
The International Olympic Committee has been headquartered in Lausanne since 1915. This gives the city a distinctive dual identity: a Swiss cantonal capital and the global administrative centre of the Olympics. The IOC palace above the lake, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the World Anti-Doping Agency are all based here.
The Olympic Museum is the tangible expression of this heritage. It's also the most popular paid tourist attraction in the canton of Vaud — a genuine must-see that most visitors to Switzerland skip in favour of Zurich or Geneva.
Lausanne's Geography — Understanding the Hills
Lausanne is built on steep hillsides above the lake — one of the more challenging city layouts in Switzerland. The city has three main levels: Ouchy (lakeside), the middle city (Flon, EPFL side), and the upper city (old town, cathedral, market). The M2 metro (the only underground funicular metro in the world) connects all three levels in under 7 minutes.
This means comfortable shoes are important — and the M2 is essential for moving between the lake and the hilltop easily. The views from the upper city across the lake to the Savoy Alps in France are among the finest urban panoramas in Switzerland.
Frequently Asked Questions — Lausanne
What is Lausanne known for?
Lausanne is known as the world capital of the Olympic movement (the IOC is headquartered here), for the Lavaux UNESCO terraced vineyards along Lake Geneva, for the Château de Chillon (Switzerland's most visited historic monument), for the EPFL (one of Europe's top technical universities), and for being the host city of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Is Lausanne worth visiting?
Yes — Lausanne is an underrated Swiss city that most tourists bypass in favour of Zurich and Geneva. The Olympic Museum, Lavaux vineyards, Château de Chillon, and Ouchy lakefront make it a genuinely rewarding 1–2 day destination. It also works well as a base: Geneva is 45 minutes west, Montreux 25 minutes east, and Bern 1 hour north.
How far is Lausanne from Geneva?
Lausanne is 45 minutes from Geneva by direct IC train. Trains run every 30 minutes from Geneva Cornavin to Lausanne, with a fare of around CHF 25.40. The journey follows the Lake Geneva shore — scenic in itself.
What language is spoken in Lausanne?
French is the language of Lausanne and the canton of Vaud. As a university city (EPFL and UNIL have over 35,000 students between them) with a large international community, English is widely understood. Street signs and menus are in French.