Parc du Désert, Park in Lausanne, Switzerland
Parc du Désert is a historic park on the edge of Lausanne, Switzerland. It features a long water channel, a manor house, a kitchen garden, and a neo-Gothic tower, all arranged in a geometric layout.
The estate was bought in 1764 by Benjamin Constant's father, and the house and canal were built between 1771 and 1782. The city acquired it in 1989 and restored it around 2000, with recent work on the garden and tower.
The name Désert reflects a fashion for romantic names like Solitude or Ermitage, and today locals come here for walks, family outings, and yoga. The park is a lively part of the neighborhood, with the manor house serving as a community center.
The park is easily reached by bus, with a stop just a minute away, and has paths that connect to the Olympic Museum. It offers picnic tables and information boards, and the grounds are open for all to enjoy.
The water channel, 459 feet (140 meters) long, is unique in Switzerland and is fed by a natural spring. In spring, it becomes a breeding ground for frogs, toads, and newts.
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