Église Saint-François, Medieval church in Place Saint-François, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Église Saint-François is a Gothic church located at Place Saint-François in Lausanne featuring a distinctive square choir and a bell tower. The architectural design shares similar stylistic elements with Lausanne Cathedral.
Construction began in 1270 when Franciscan monks arrived in Lausanne to serve the religious needs of the expanding population. Over the centuries the church became a significant religious and social center for the city.
The church serves as a venue for concerts and art exhibitions while functioning as a Protestant worship space for the local community. Visitors experience a place where spiritual practice and cultural activities coexist in daily use.
The church is open daily and features an elevator at the southeast entrance for visitors with reduced mobility. Its central location on Place Saint-François makes it easily accessible on foot.
The interior features a four-sided choir with a central angle instead of a traditional flat wall, a rare architectural solution. This unusual choir shape creates a distinctive spatial quality within the building.
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