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Bucket List: Top 12 Best Things to See and Do in Lausanne, Switzerland
Lausanne is one of the most visited cities in Switzerland and one of the greenest cities in the world. There are also loads of best things to do in Lausanne, Switzerland, from visiting art facilities and centuries-old structures with the backdrop of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps.
And to add to your bucket list, here are the 12 best things to do in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Olympic Museum
One of the best things to do in Lausanne and a top tourist spot, the Olympic Museum, features exhibits related to the Olympics and sports. The facility houses over 10,000 artifacts and is considered the largest museum of its kind globally.
Lausanne Cathedral of Notre Dame
Constructed from 1170 to 1235, the Lausanne Cathedral has a historical significance dating back to the middle age, when it became a Marian pilgrimage for over 70,000 people annually. It measures 500 ft. tall and is one of Switzerland’s top monuments featuring impressive Gothic architecture.
Lake Geneva
After visiting the beautiful Cathedral of Notre Dame, head to Lake Geneva, offering scenic views of the French Alps and Swiss Riviera. It separates Switzerland and France and is ideal to cruise aboard lake steamers while having lunch or dinner with a breathtaking view.
Collection de l’Art Brut
Drop by the Collection de I’Art Brut for art enthusiasts, an unusual museum that features unique artworks crafted by self-taught artists, prisoners, or marginalized individuals. The museum is housed in an 18th-century castle, Château de Beaulieu, exhibiting fascinating collections from paintings to artworks made from different materials.
Château d’Ouchy & Promenade
Whether you’re looking for a place to stay or explore beautiful places in Lausanne, the Château d’Ouchy & Promenade is worth seeing. Originally constructed around 1170 and rebuilt in 1889 into a neo-gothic style hotel, the castle serves as a tower, a residence of Bishop Guillaume de Varax, and a prison.
Hermitage Foundation
Another must-visit museum for art fanatics, the Hermitage Foundation features changing exhibits in an elegant lakeside villa facing the beautiful Lake Geneva. The 19th-century mansion now serves as a fine arts exhibition facility and offers a beautifully landscaped park open to the public.
Place de la Palud
The Place de la Palud is a must-stop for tourists offering boutiques, luxury shops, cafes, the oldest fountain in town, the Fontaine de la Justice, sculpted by Laurent Perroud and his son Jacques in 1584. The pedestrian square also holds the country and craft market, the perfect place to find local goods.
Platform 10
Aside from a unique museum, Lausanne offers an “art district” known as Platform 10. The district combines museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts (MUDAC), Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts (MCBA), and the leading photography museum globally, the Photo Elysée.
Esplanade de Montbenon
For a more laid-back tourist spot, the Esplanade de Montbenon is a city park ideal for family picnics and watching the sunset. The park is at the heart of Lausanne, overlooking Lake Geneva and the surrounding Alps.
Sauvabelin Tower
The best place to catch sight of the beauty of Laussane, Sauvabelin Tower, is a wooden tower that offers a 360-degree view of the town, Lake Geneva, the Swiss Alps, and the Jura region, Eastern France. Constructed in 2003 by Julius Natterer, the 35-meter tall tower features a spiral staircase with 302 steps and an observation platform.
Château de Chillon
A must-see when in town, the Château de Chillon is one of Europe’s well-preserved medieval fortresses and most visited by tourists. The iconic and impressive fortress was built on a rock platform beside the banks of Lake Geneva and owned by the Counts of Savoy from the 12th to 16th century CE.
Rochers-de-Naye Railway
If you’re coming from Montreux, the best way to get to Lausanne is through the Rochers-de-Naye Railway, with breathtaking views at the summit. The railway is operated electrically on the top of the Rochers de Naye Mountain, passing through Glion village, Montreux mountainside, and Territet-Glion funicular, starting at Château de Chillon.
References
- Rogers, (2021), 16 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Lausanne, Planetware
- 15 Best Things to Do in Lausanne (Switzerland), The Crazy Tourist
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