Lausanne is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and hosting The Swiss Hotel School as well as the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. It is a friendly and international city offering many attractions and activities to tour!

Mountain Excursions
Zermatt
Full-day excursion by rail. The journey takes you along Lake Geneva and through the breathtaking beauty of the Valais. From Brig, the route climbs through rugged valley landscape to Zermatt and the majestic Matterhorn. This popular excursion can also be combined with a trip by cogwheel railway up to the Gornergrat or with a cableway to the Klein Matterhorn.

City Excursions
Bern - Switzerland's Captivating Capital
Beautiful Bern is only a one-hour rail trip from Lausanne. This is a city of medieval magic, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Attractions include the famous clock tower, the bearpits - home to Berne's heraldic animals - and excellent shopping arcades.

Montreux - on Lake Geneva
Just 30 minutes away from Lausanne, Montreux is the most frequented resort on Lake Geneva. This trip can be combined with a visit to the Castle of Chillon.

Chateau de Chillon
In a unique setting on the shores of Lake Geneva stands one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Switzerland. Erected in the 13th century on older foundations, the Castle of Chillon was the residence of the Counts of Savoy throughout the Middle Ages. Originally a fortress, the Castle of Chillon underwent numerous transformations with a view to its adaptation to the advances in the defensive and offensive weapons of the age. Other modifications were occasioned by amenities and embellishments suited to the pomp and ceremony of life in the castle. Many prominent figures in history stayed there: emperors, popes and princesses.

Other Excursions
Cruises on Lake Geneva
April - October. (included with some Swiss Rail Passes!)
Half-day or evening excursions. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on a modern motorship or one of the renovated stately steamers. Excellent catering and banquet facilities.

Sport
In 1994, Lausanne was elected ‘Olympic capital’. Sport isn’t just a big word; more than 300 active sports clubs and fifteen international sports federations make Lausanne a true ‘sportsville’.

Lake Geneva is great for all water activities. Amateurs as well as pros train and compete at the shores of Lausanne. The rowing club of Lausanne was founded in 1878 and has therefore a long tradition.

The forests above Lausanne are a paradise for hiking, mountain-biking and cross-country skiing, golf friends walk the greens on a wonderful 18-hole golf course and skating and cycling along the lake is fun for everyone.

Entertainment
Lausanne is also a city for active night owls; bars, nightclubs, pubs, discos, jazz clubs, theatres etc – a wide range of establishments.

Shopping
All kinds of shops can be found in the city center – watchmakers, bookshops, outfitters, food stores etc. You don’t have to walk miles but find everything within close proximity.
Browse through the City Center Market every Saturday morning (food and non-food) or pay a visit to the Flea Market every Thursday at Place Chauderon to get a unique souvenir of Lausanne.

Events
Every year, the ‘Festival de la Cité’ (City festival) is held in summer and since 1973 the “Prix de Lausanne” (prize of Lausanne, a dance competition) attracts friends of dancing.

Marathon
Known as the “green” marathon, with no cars disturbing the event, the Lausanne Marathon is a popular race in every runner’s agenda.

Athletics
Next to the meeting in Zurich, the ‘Athletissima’ in Lausanne is good for new world records. Top athletes meet every year to delight the onlookers with faster races and better results.

Link to other current Lausanne events

Museums
Lausanne is the site of about twenty museums. Three of the most visited are:

Olympic Museum
Juan Antonio Samaranch, the former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was the initiator of this museum. It was founded in June 1993 and is the second most visited museum in Switzerland. The main themes of course are the Olympic Games starting with ancient Greek up to the latest summer and winter games.

Art Brut Collection
Art brut, the synonym for ‘Outsider Art’ or literally translated ‘Raw Art’ or ‘Rough Art’ is a label created by the French artist Jean Dubuffet. A lot of ‘Outsider Art’ show extreme mental states, unconventional ideas or fantasy worlds. Jean Dubuffet’s collection, containing thousands of works, can be visited in Lausanne.

Musée de l’Elysée (Elysee Museum)
This museum is completely focused on photography. There are various exhibitions to visit. A great collection can be admired in eight rooms on four floors.