Lausanne Travel Guide

Lausanne is the capital of the canton of Vaud, and the French-speaking part of Switzerland. It is home to a population of about 150,000 people and has been a settlement for over 2000 years. The Romans built a military camp and road through Lausanne in 58 BCE with their invasion. Lausanne is also known for being home to several international organizations including the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Lausanne Travel Guide

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Today Lausanne is an economic powerhouse as well as an academic one: it hosts several universities including École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and its associated schools such as École d'Ingénieurs du Locle (EIL), which together make up one of Europe's leading centers for engineering research with over 6500 students; Université Populaire de Musique et Danse; Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de musique; Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de danse; Conservatoire de musique de Genève; Haute école des arts du cirque (HEAD); Haute école des sciences appliquées HES-SO etc.; but also Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium; University College London (UCL) and other foreign universities such as Graduate Institute Geneva (GIGA).

Etymology

Aerial view of Ouchy waterfront in Lausanne Switzerland

Lausanne is properly called Ville de Lausanne. The name comes from the Latin "Lausanna" and means "the healthful". In its beginnings, Lausanne was known by at least two other names: Caireo and Lacu Lacu.

Canton

Aerial View of Lausanne

Lausanne is in the canton of Vaud, which is part of the French-speaking part of Switzerland. It is the third largest canton in Switzerland and has a population of over 1.3 million.

The capital city of Lausanne was first mentioned in historical records in 1045 AD as Lousanna and later Loysanna. However, it wasn't until 1218 that it received its official name from Count Rudolph IV von Rapperswil (Rapperswil being an area outside of Zurich). The city prospered during the 13th century when it became an important stop on trade routes between Germany and Italy.

Major Area

Beautiful Lausanne in Switzerland

The city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, and it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in Switzerland.

The Lausanne Cathedral is a major attraction for visitors to this city. It dates back to 1080 and has been built over many centuries with parts from different eras. The Lausanne Underground, which was opened in 1864, is another popular landmark in the city because it allows you to travel underneath Lausanne by train or tramway.

Demographics

Amazing Aerial Panorama of Ouchy Waterfront in Lausanne

Population: 180,000

Language: French

Lausanne has a large student population and is considered the second largest city in French-speaking Switzerland. The city is also known for its large elderly population, which makes up about 20% of the total population.

Religion

Lausanne in Night Switzerland

Lausanne is home to the headquarters of the World Council of Churches and was a center for Roman Catholicism in Switzerland. The city's cathedral, Notre-Dame de Lausanne, was constructed in 615 on what was then an island. It was later rebuilt in 1180 after being destroyed by fire and again in 1851 after being destroyed by fire again.

In addition to being known as a religious center, Lausanne is also the home of several movements within Christianity:

Languages

Lausanne is a city known for its language, and it has three main languages spoken: French, German and Italian. Many people speak English as well.

History of Lausanne

Historical City of Lausanne

Lausanne has a long history, with over 2000 years of settlement, the earliest known settlements in the area were Celtic. The Romans built a military camp and a road through the area with their invasion of Switzerland in 58 BCE. Today Lausanne is an economic powerhouse as well as an academic one: it hosts several international organizations including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and World Health Organization (WHO).

Geography & Where is Located Lausanne in Switzerland

lausanne map

Lake Geneva, a popular tourist destination, lies on the border of Switzerland and France. The city is surrounded by mountains and has a temperate climate throughout the year.

What is Climate Like in Lausanne?

Lausanne Switzerland

Lausanne is a city located in a temperate climate zone. The average temperature during winter is -1.7 degrees celsius while in summer it reaches 17.8 degrees celsius. It rains and snows frequently during the winter months.

The economy in Lausanne.

Downtown of Lausanne

Lausanne is an important economic center in Switzerland. The city is home to the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency, as well as other national and international organizations. It is also the headquarters of Swiss luxury goods company Richemont and has a large number of chemical companies. The European Patent Office (EPO) is located in Lausanne, along with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL).

Education

Lausanne View from Geneva Lake

Lausanne is home to many universities and colleges, including the University of Lausanne, the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), and the International Olympic Academy. The University of Lausanne is the oldest university in Switzerland, founded in 1537 by John Calvin. It's a diverse learning environment with professors from over 140 countries speaking 65 languages.

EPFL is a technical university that offers degrees in engineering and sciences as well as business administration. Students can choose from over 200-degree programs offered at EPFL campuses throughout Switzerland or online anywhere around the world! Additionally, its international student population makes for an exciting learning experience where you will be surrounded by people who share your interests and passions!

Universities and Colleges

Lausanne is a major academic center, with several universities and colleges. The University of Lausanne is one of the largest universities in Switzerland and attracts students from all over the world. If you want to learn more about education in Lausanne, visit the website here

Other institutions include:

The International Olympic Academy (IOA) was established in 1992 by IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch as an independent educational institution with a three-fold mission: as a center for research on sport, Olympism, and its history; as a training center for potential leaders of sports organizations; and as an observatory on global trends affecting sport today. The IOA focuses on four main areas: research documentation; studies related to Olympism; training programs for leaders; and dissemination through publications, seminars, conferences, etc... The IOA's headquarters are based at Olympic Museum Lausanne (OML).

Lausanne has a long history, with over 2000 years of settlement, the earliest known settlements in the area were Celtic. The Romans built a military camp and a road through the area with their invasion of Switzerland in 58 BCE. Today Lausanne is an economic powerhouse as well as an academic one.

Lausanne is a city in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. It is located on the shores of Lake Geneva and borders the city of Geneva. The city is known for its many international organizations and conferences.

The area around Lausanne has been inhabited since at least the Mesolithic era; as evidenced by scattered finds such as flint tools, Neolithic stone axes, Roman coins, and Celtic tombs from about 1000 BC. There were also several Bronze Age settlements on hillsides or near water sources such as lakes.

Politics

Yachts in Lausanne

Lausanne is home to many of the world's major organizations and governing bodies. The city is the seat of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), which coordinates international aid, conducts peace negotiations, and is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Lausanne also hosts a number of other international organizations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

It's no wonder that this aspect of Lausanne's political history plays such an important role in its current economy: tourism accounts for roughly half of all jobs in Switzerland.

Culture

Palace de Justice Montbenon in Lausanne

Lausanne is the cultural capital of French-speaking Switzerland and home to a number of festivals, including the Fête du Lac, which takes place every August.

In addition to its rich cultural heritage, Lausanne is also home to several museums: from fine art at the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts de Lausanne (or MBCAL) to history at the Musée d'Histoire et d'Archéologie Vaudoises (or MHVA).

The city's most famous museum is perhaps that dedicated to sport—the Olympic Museum! Located on Lake Geneva near Ouchy, this museum traces its origins back to 1894 when Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee in Paris.

Sport

The city has hosted many international sporting events, including the Olympics in 1924, where Jean Borotra won the men's tennis singles at the age of 21. The city also hosted the Winter Olympics in 1968, which was attended by over 10,000 athletes from 76 countries who competed in 94 events across 6 sports and 22 disciplines.

These days, Lausanne is a very sporty city—it has facilities for everything from ice hockey to swimming and diving to fencing. If you are an avid athlete or love watching other people play sports, then Lausanne will not disappoint!

If you're interested in living somewhere where there is always something fun going on every day of your life then maybe it's time for a change.

Museum

Saint-Francois Church Lausanne

The Musee d'Art et d'Histoire of Lausanne, also known as the MAH, is a museum that was established in 1879. It features exhibits on art and local history, with a focus on the city of Lausanne. The museum collection includes over 15,000 works of art that have been donated to it by individuals or collected by the museum itself. Some notable pieces include paintings by Daumier, Baselitz, and Van Gogh; sculptures by Rodin; ancient coins; and archeological artifacts from Egypt and Greece.

The Musee de l'Olympisme is another popular attraction because it tells the story of the Olympics through its history with exhibits on sportsmanship and fair play as well as Olympic ceremonies throughout time. The museum displays photographs from past games that were held in cities around Europe including Paris (1896) London (1908), Antwerp (1920), Amsterdam (1928), Los Angeles (1932), Berlin (1936) Helsinki ((1952).

The Musée des Beaux Arts offers visitors an opportunity to view paintings by famous artists like Monet or Chagall along with other works from lesser-known painters such as Courbet or Delacroix all housed within one building complex which was originally built in 1766 when Lausanne was still part of France until following its annexation into Switzerland in 1815 when construction began again after being left unfinished during Napoleon's occupation years earlier when he ordered its destruction so he could use its bricks elsewhere but this time without interfering in any way with local architecture codes nor any historical significance attached upon completion

Media

Historical Lausanne

Lausanne has a long history of publishing. One of the oldest newspapers in the world, La Gazette de Lausanne, was founded here in 1824. Today it is one of the most important French-language dailies in Western Switzerland, but it remains privately owned and independent. Additionally, there are several local magazines (including local editions of international titles like The Economist or Forbes) as well as an active alternative press scene that includes both online news sites and printed zines.

Media companies based in Lausanne include Swiss Radio International, which broadcasts around the world through radio services like SWI swissinfo.ch; Tamedia Group SA (newspapers 20 Minuten and Le Matin Dimanche); television channels RTS Un et RTS Deux; plus various other radio stations including Puls 4 Nostalgie Classic Rock FM (100%) etc.

Events

View of the statue Aurore in Lausanne - Switzerland

  • The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Congress
  • The Olympic Museum
  • The Olympic Stadium
  • The Olympic Village
  • The Olympic Theatre
  • The Olympic Park

Cuisine

Lausanne is famous for its fondue, chocolate, cheese, and wine. As you'd expect from a city that's home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters, Lausanne also boasts some of the best food and drink in Switzerland.

The city's culinary reputation was cemented by one of its most famous residents: chef Pierre Wynter who opened his restaurant Au Petit Chablis in 1844 and gained international fame with his signature dish; a melted mix of Gruyere cheese blended with white wine and kirsch liquor (a cherry-flavored brandy). This recipe has been passed down through generations at Au Petit Chablis which is still open today.

Transport

Train Passing Through the Vineyards in Lausanne

Lausanne is the seventh-largest city in Switzerland and the capital of Vaud. With a population of about 180,000 people, it's home to many major cultural institutions. Lausanne has a large tram system with several lines and is also served by an extensive bus network.

The city is also very well connected to other cities by train, as it's one of Switzerland's most important railway hubs. A high-speed railway connects Lausanne with Geneva Airport within 15 minutes; this line was built in 2001 to allow for direct access between these two destinations without having to go through central Geneva first (which would add another 30 minutes). The airport itself has direct flights to many European cities including London, Madrid, Paris, and Amsterdam - as well as several domestic destinations like Lugano Airport (LUG) which can be reached in just over an hour by car or train from downtown LAX:

Health

Lausanne City Center

Lausanne is home to a number of private clinics and an important university hospital, which makes it easy for you to find medical services. There are also plenty of specialist doctors in Lausanne, as well as dentists who can help you keep your teeth healthy.

Energy

Lausanne is a city in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. It's known for its museums, the International Olympic Committee, and its gastronomy.

Lausanne was founded in 1536 by Claude de Saussure as a colony under the name of "Montbonnot", but was soon renamed after Caesar Augustus. The city developed into an important industrial center during the 19th century.

Notable people in Lausanne and the greater area, by field of activity

The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces Lausanne

  • Politicians: Jean-François Rime and Jacques Rogge.
  • Artists, painters, sculptors, and architects (among others): Paul Baudry (1828), Marc Chagall (1887), Auguste-Henri Forel (1848), and Victor Vasarely (1906).
  • Musicians: Henri Dutilleux (1916) and Olivier Messiaen (1908).
  • Scientists: Louis Pasteur in 1873; Antoine Lavoisier in 1773; Louis Agassiz in 1859.
  • Writers: Charles Dickens visited the town in 1842; Arthur Rimbaud lived here briefly between 1870 and 1871.
  • Engineers: The inventor of the screw propeller for ships, François Sauvage built his first propeller at his home on rue du Général Guisan; he is buried at La Praz cemetery in Lausanne alongside other prominent figures from Swiss history such as Henri Dunant who founded Red Cross International Movement after witnessing first hand the horrors of war at Solferino during the 19th century Battle of Solferino between France and Austria which resulted when Napoleon III's forces were defeated by his Austrian counterpart Franz Josef I.. In 2002 he was named "National Hero" by French President Jacques Chirac for his humanitarian efforts following that battle.

Conclusion

Lausanne is a great city to visit and has a rich history, art, and culture that many people do not know about. The city has a long history that includes everything from Roman times to today's modern economy. There are many museums and galleries in Lausanne where visitors can learn about the area's past as well as enjoy some of its beautiful architecture.

Please view more Lausanne photos

Church in Lausanne

Church in Lausanne

Lausanne Marina

Lausanne Marina

Lausanne Vineyards and Leman Lake

Lausanne Vineyards and Leman Lake

Chateau d'Ouchy in Lausanne

Chateau d'Ouchy in Lausanne

Chateau d'Ouchy Lausanne in Night

Chateau d'Ouchy Lausanne in Night

Downtown of Lausanne

Downtown of Lausanne

Lavaux wine region Canton of Vaud Lausanne

Lavaux wine region Canton of Vaud Lausanne

City of Lausanne. Cityscape image of downtown Lausanne, Switzerland during twilight blue hour.

Cityscape image of downtown Lausanne Switzerland

Chateau d'Ouchy Lausanne Switzerland

Chateau d'Ouchy Lausanne Switzerland

Author: Arif Cagrici