Lausanne

Lausanne is a college town and cantonal capital in Switzerland, situated on the northern shore of Lake Geneva at an elevation of roughly 500 meters (1640 feet). The city spreads across several steep hills with views toward the water, the Alps to the east, and the French Jura range to the northwest.

The settlement arose on the site of a Celtic village and grew into an important church center during the Middle Ages. The Gothic cathedral was consecrated in the late 13th century, marking the height of this religious importance.

Weekly markets fill the old town streets with vendors selling fresh produce, where locals gather and maintain the rhythm of daily life. Families stroll along the waterfront and students picnic on the grass, while café terraces stay busy from morning until late evening.

A metro system links the lakefront in the south with the northern neighborhoods, making it easier to move around the steep slopes. Pedestrians will find many staircases and elevators running between the different levels of the city.

A night watchman has called out the hours from the cathedral tower since the early 15th century, a practice that continues between 10 PM and 2 AM. This tradition remains one of the few active night watches still operating in Europe.

Location: Lausanne District

Elevation above the sea: 495 m

Part of: Métropole lémanique

Shares border with: Bottens, Bretigny-sur-Morrens, Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne, Crissier, Ecublens, Epalinges, Froideville, Jouxtens-Mézery, Le Mont-sur-Lausanne, Morrens, Prilly, Pully, Romanel-sur-Lausanne, Saint-Sulpice, Savigny, Chavannes-près-Renens, Cugy, Montpreveyres, Renens

Website: https://lausanne.ch

GPS coordinates: 46.52183,6.63270

Latest update: December 29, 2025 12:49