Lausanne is the second largest city on the shores of Lake Geneva, combining the features of a dynamic commercial center and a cozy resort town. It is the capital of the canton of Vaud, a university center, and a city attractive for large conventions, exhibitions and conferences. The sports and cultural components have given Lausanne additional advantages in the fight for the title of the Olympic capital.
Lausanne is located in an extremely picturesque place. Not surprisingly, the International Olympic Committee was founded here in 1914. The city is built on three hills surrounded by vineyards, with Lake Geneva at its foot. The mountains on the opposite bank are the Savoy Alps in France. The beautiful old town is mostly closed to car traffic. Streets with cafes and boutiques offer a great opportunity to spend time in the medieval center.
Lausanne has been a diocesan city for a millennium: the cathedral, the most impressive Gothic building in Switzerland, towers over the Old City. The shopping streets can be found around the cathedral as well as in the coastal Uschi quarter. The metro, which is unique in Switzerland, connects the different parts of the city, making it easy to get to where you can walk along the steep slope above the lake.
Worth visiting are the parks, which house many Mediterranean plants, and the magnificent palace hotels, such as the Beau-Rivage Palace in Uchy and the Hotel de l’Angleterre, where Lord Byron once stayed. Gourmets will be able to try traditional Lausanne delicacies such as Papet Vaudois, a gratin of potatoes with onions and sausages. Incidentally, Master Chef Fred Giardet, recognized as Culinier of the Century by his own peers, has now retired and handed his scepter at the Hôtel de Ville to head chef Philippe Rochat.
Nor will cultural connoisseurs feel left out in Lausanne: the collection of marginal art (“Art Brut”) in Château Beaulieu, the Fondation l’Hermitage, the Elysée Museum dedicated to photography, the Smoking Pipes Museum and many others are definitely worth a visit. The theatrical and musical performances are also above reproach. And finally, Lausanne is the home of the world famous Béjart Ballet. Do not forget about Aquatis, the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe, a real living museum with large vivariums, as much as possible resembling the natural environment of animals.
“Olympic Capital” is the headquarters of the Olympic Committee as well as the Olympic Museum, the largest information center of the Olympic Games. Sports remain a priority in the life of the city. Examples include the Lausanne Marathon and the Athletissima, an international athletics competition.
Summer
As a cultural center and conference venue, Lausanne combines business and pleasure in a harmonious way. The picturesque Old Town, the Olympic Centre and the Uschi business district all contribute to the pride of the Lake Geneva region.
Conferences and congresses
Lausanne, the Olympic capital, is a center renowned for its educational and research facilities, and is an unmissable destination for business tourism. The cradle of the Olympic movement teems with activities, creating a unique environment where the worlds of sport, culture, technology, medical research and innovation all come together. In terms of nature, the city opens out onto one of Switzerland’s most beautiful landscapes, with stunning panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. This makes it an ideal starting point for any excursion or incentive activity. A small city, and one of the greenest in Europe, Lausanne was named “best small city in the world” (fewer than 200,000 inhabitants) by the prestigious Monocle magazine.
