Lausanne, College town and cantonal capital in Vaud, Switzerland.
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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Lausanne Cathedral
231 m
Olympic Museum Lausanne
1.5 kmLausanne University Hospital
878 m
Stade de la Tuilière
2.6 km
Bois-de-Vaux Cemetery
2.4 km
Viaduc de la Chocolatière
2.4 km
Stade Olympique de la Pontaise
1.5 km
Collection de l'art brut
866 m
Beau-Rivage Palace
1.6 km
Cantonal Museum of Geology in Lausanne
224 m
Cantonal Botanical Museum and Gardens
1.2 km
Palais de Rumine
218 m
Palais de Beaulieu
986 m
Lucy Mackintosh
949 m
Tour de Sauvabelin
1.6 km
Photo Elysée
770 m
Château Saint-Maire
409 m
Hermitage Foundation
785 m
Château d'Ouchy
1.7 km
Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts
701 m
Aquatis
2.8 km
La Vaudoise
1.9 km
Opéra de Lausanne
525 m
Abbey of Montheron
7.9 km
Lousonna
2.5 km
Grand Pont
183 m
Vivarium de Lausanne
2.3 km
Bessières bridge
314 m
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