Crêt de Montriond, Hill and park in Lausanne, Switzerland
Crêt de Montriond is a hill and park in Lausanne, Switzerland, featuring a wooded slope, an open lawn, and a playground. The site also includes a botanical garden with thousands of plant species and a music pavilion.
The land was bought by the city in 1894 to create a promenade for the growing neighborhoods. The Place de Milan was redesigned for sports and games in 1908, and the botanical garden was moved to the hill in 1937.
The name of the nearby Place de Milan recalls the opening of the Simplon Tunnel, and the large lawn hosts the annual Fête du Bois and a flea market in June. The botanical garden, with its collection of plants from around the world, is a favorite spot for families and school groups.
The park is easily reached on foot from the train station and has paths that wind up the hill. Public restrooms and picnic tables are available near the playground, and the view is best on clear days.
The hill is a glacial moraine, and its steep, rounded shape looks almost artificial. During World War II, the lawn was plowed for potatoes as part of a plan to increase food self-sufficiency.
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