Lausanne Things to Do – Attractions & Must See

Lausanne Things to Do

Lausanne is a charming city located on the shores of Lake Geneva in the French speaking area of Switzerland, offering plenty of things to do.

Old Town

The central area of town is built around the Gothic Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1275 , and it is also one of the last places to preserve the night watchman tradition. From 10 p.m. until 2 a.m., a night watchman calls out the top of the hour from his tower. The old town area is also where you can pick up the metro which will take you down to the colorful harbor area.

The Old Town of Lausanne is the picturesque part of the city with numerous pedestrian only streets. If you are lucky enough to visit the city on the weekend, explore the area on Saturday morning. The town during the farmers market is when most of the squares and side streets are filled with happy locals who gather for shopping among the numerous stalls with fresh produce. This large car-free area turns into a bountiful and extensive farmers market every week. Take advantage of the market for breakfast and fresh ingredients for a picnic later in the day. After the market closes, there are numerous cafes and restaurants in the area to keep you entertained.

Place de la Palud

This picturesque medieval square is one of the most prominent places in Lausanne, and certainly the most prominent in Ville Marche, whose name suggests the square was once a marsh. This cluster of small pedestrian streets in the older part of the city is bordered by Place Saint Francois on the south and Place de la Rippone on the north. Several streets such as Rue Madeleine, Rue Saint-Laurent, Rue du Pont and Rue Mercerie, conflate to make the square. This connected by staircase Escaliers du Marche with Cathedrale plateau, and by passage through the building of the Town Hall (Hotel de Ville in French). The very central location has made it a choice spot for merchants and vendors ever since the 9th century. The square is also home to the 16th century Fountain of Justice, the 17th century Town Hall and the 20th century storytelling mechanical clock. The clock alone makes a visit worthwhile.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Lausanne.