Lausanne is an elegant and historic city on the shores of Lac Léman - or Lake Geneva to the anglicised amongst us! It is the canton of Vaud, which is French-speaking. The city itself certainly has a very French atmosphere, and is the home of the International Olympic Committee. I visited on a very hot day in July, having arrived from Interlaken by train. I stopped in at the Information Centre for a map (always a good idea!) then toiled up a steep slope to the Old Town. That's the thing about Lausanne - you always seem to be walking up or down steep slopes as it is in a very hilly location! Still, it is one of the attractions of the town.
Click on the thumbnails to see the fullsize photos.
I paused at the Church of St Francois, parts of which date
from the 13th and 15th Centuries...
...the church stands in the Place de Saint Francois.
This elegant square is lined with cafés and food stalls.
Lausanne cathedral is a Gothic wonder that was built in the 13th Century
and is perched atop the hill, watching over the city.
The Rose Window is beautiful. I do admire stained glass!
The West Door has some very ornate stone work around it.
I spent some time exploring the interior of the cathedral.
Since 1927 Lausanne has been the seat of the Federal Court of Justice.
The courthouse stands in a beautiful park.
This is the Town Hall in Place de la Palud.
It's a very colourful, lively city.
There always seems to be something going on in Lausanne,
whether it's a festival...
...or a market!
Home | Switzerland | Portugal | United States | Canada