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- English
This city is a mixture of ancient and modern, as well as a very cosmopolitan example of the Swiss lifestyle. It rises in terraces on three hills above the north shore of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman). Lausanne is a city of sports, being the headquarters of the Olympic Committee and of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, having also the Swiss Film Archive as well. The city is officially titled the “Olympic Capital”. Pass the Musee des Beaux-Arts (Fine Art Museum), also known as the Palais de Rumine. It houses a modest but impressive art collection. Walk the Escalier du Marché, leading to the terrace of the cathedral. Visit the Rue du Bourg, once one of the main roads of old Lausanne. Wander through the Flon Quarter, the city’s ultra-contemporary zone. Journey through this fantastic hilly city of the Savoy Alps.
All attraction entrances are to be paid for on the spot by travelers since attractions are not mandatory. This tour does not include any attractions with require paid entrances.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
In front of the Fontaine de la Riponnne, Place de la Riponne, 1005 Lausanne
Itinerary
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1
Our journey through the hills of Lausanne starts at the largest square in the city center, called Place de la Riponne. From here, we have a privileged sight towards the Musee des Beaux Arts (Fine Art Museum), also known as the Palais de Rumine. It houses an art collection modest in numbers but impressive in the quality of French artists represented, the likes of Cézanne, Degas, Renoir, Matisse, and many other can be found here. The same palace housed several other canton museums, like the Archaeological and Historical Museum, the Natural History and the Zoological Museum.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
From here we enter the old town of Lausanne, towards the Place de la Palud, to find the beautiful Fountain of Justice, an example of the Renaissance-style fountains found in many other Swiss cities. Its basin dates from 1557, and the original statue of Justice, now replaced by a copy, was made in 1585. This feature of Lausanne marked the growing importance of the city. If we are lucky, you might stumble into the farmers market done here every Wednesday and Saturday.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Still in the same square, let’s take a look at the Town Hall. With its belfry towering over the square, the building is still used today for municipal offices. It was built in the 17th century by the Lausanne architect Abraham de Crousaz where the previous town hall had existed.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Passing the best and oldest restaurants in Lausanne, Le Grütli, our feet will take us towards the Escalier du Marche. The long-covered flight of steps leading to the terrace in front of the main door to the cathedral is one of the best-known sights in town. Built in the 13th century, it connected the market in the square we just passed to the one above.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
All these stairs then lead us to the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. On the Way of Saint James, all the way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, pilgrims entered the cathedral through its 13th-century Apostles Doorway. The gothic architecture is impressive and will definitely leave a mark. The cathedral, which is now Protestant, is a landmark with its five towers rising above the city from the hilltop.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
Now we leave the holy and move towards the profane: Rue du Bourg. Today a pedestrian shopping street, it was one of the main thoroughfares of old Lausanne until the early 19th century. The buildings here stem from the 17th and 18th century.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
Now we head to the Flon Quarter, the heart of Lausanne. It is Lausanne's ultra-contemporary new art zone, where the architecture borders the modern and futuristic. Once a place for warehouses of the 19th century, today it is colored by all the businesses and galleries here.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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