Stories · Switzerland
A weekend in Lausanne
Told the way I’d tell a friend, step by step.
Lausanne is earned slowly. This story follows a simple logic: the icons early in the morning, the neighbourhoods when the city wakes up, and evenings left to chance. 2 days, one thread, no stress.
Day 1 · The icons
In the morning, it’s The Olympic Museum. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.6 out of 5 across 10,933 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Around noon, I make my way to Parc Olympique. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (1,622 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
In the afternoon, head to Fontaine Quai de Belgique. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
To end the day, meet me at Fontaine aux Singes. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Lausanne is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 2 · Museums and culture
Early in the morning, it’s Collection de l'Art Brut. I always pick two or three rooms rather than seeing everything. You walk out light. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (1,173 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
Then, head to Parc de la Légende. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.
Lunch without a plan: the first noisy room you pass is often the right one.
After lunch, it’s Naturéum - département de géologie. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
As the light fades, it’s Esplanade de Montbenon. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 4,181 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Lausanne does the rest.
If you’re still hungry
I still have a few up my sleeve: Sauvabelin Tower, Parc de Mon Repos, Lausanne Cathedral, AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium, Fondation de l'Hermitage and Lausanne Botanical Garden. Your call.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
And if you go, tell me what you loved. Lausanne changes, and so do I.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.
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