Rue de l'Ale, Pedestrian street in Lausanne, Switzerland

Rue de l'Ale is a pedestrian street in the center of Lausanne, Switzerland. It runs between rue du Maupas and rue Neuve, lined with shops and cafes in a car-free setting.

In the Middle Ages, the street lay outside the city walls along the road to Orbe. Over the centuries, it evolved from a poor artisans' quarter into a commercial street, and in the 1960s and 1970s it hosted large popular festivals.

The name 'Ale' comes from the old word for a wing or aisle, referring to the row of houses outside the city walls. Today, the street is known for its food market, where locals shop for fresh produce, bread, and cheese twice a week.

The street is flat and easy to walk, with shops and cafes along the way. It is busiest on Wednesday and Saturday mornings when the market takes place, so plan your visit accordingly if you prefer a quieter time.

The street was the subject of a documentary series by filmmaker Jean-Stéphane Bron, who lives there and filmed his neighbors. The series, called 'Ma rue de l'Ale', captures the daily life and diverse characters of this 165-meter (541-foot) street.