Esplanade de Montbenon, Scenic viewpoint and public esplanade in Lausanne, Switzerland
The Esplanade de Montbenon is an open terrace on a gentle hill near the main train station in Lausanne, Switzerland. It looks out over the city rooftops toward Lake Geneva and the mountain ridges beyond.
The site served as a public gathering ground in the 19th century and has hosted events for the people of Lausanne for generations. The Casino de Montbenon, built in 1908 on the western edge of the esplanade in a classical style, now houses the Swiss Film Archive.
The esplanade is a short walk from Lausanne's main train station and easy to reach by public transport. The view over the lake and mountains is best in the late afternoon, when the light is softest.
The Casino de Montbenon on the esplanade is home to the Swiss Film Archive, one of the largest film collections in Europe, which regularly screens classic films on site. This means the open hilltop view and a historic cinema experience sit side by side in the same spot.
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