Lausanne

Lausanne is a hillside city on the north shore of Lake Geneva, home to EPFL (one of Europe's top technology universities), the International Olympic Committee, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Its student population keeps the city energetic and relatively affordable compared to Zurich or Geneva. The city climbs steeply from the lakeside suburb of Ouchy through the commercial centre to the medieval cathedral quarter, giving every neighbourhood a different character. Lausanne has one of Switzerland's most active startup ecosystems, fuelled by EPFL spin-offs and a growing digital nomad scene. English is widely spoken in academic and tech circles. The wine-growing Lavaux terraces — a UNESCO World Heritage site — begin just east of the city.