Sightseeing in Lausanne - what to see. Complete travel guide

Even though Lausanne is a small place, this is the most visited city of Switzerland that is traditionally popular among tourists. Lausanne is located at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi Mountains and the Alps, on the north shore of Lake Geneva. The population of the city together with the port town reaches approximately 125 thousand of inhabitants. If you make a ride on a funicular to the mountain peaks, you will be able to see breathtaking views of the city. This is also a great opportunity to visit the largest glacier of the Alps - Mer de Glace.

All historical places of interest of Lausanne are concentrated in its old part, on a hill named Cité. This part of the city is the location of the palace that once has belonged to Russian Count Ryumin. Today the palace is used to exhibit numerous zoological, historical, geological and archaeological collections. Art museum is located nearby. The museum features a large collection of works by local artists. Port quarter of the city is famous by such historical places of interest as the Gothic cathedral built in the XII century, the tower created in the XIII century, the castle of St. Mary (XIV century), and an original museum named "Art Brut" that exhibits mystical and scary work of people with mental disorders and other "unusual" people.

This town is also known as the location of headquarters of the International Olympic Committee and many other sports organizations.

The main natural landmark of Lausanne is the beautiful Lake Geneva. It is the largest and most beautiful lake in Central Europe. In Lausanne, on the shore of the lake, there is a wonderful resort area with beaches, a park and entertainment facilities. A stroll along the lake shore will be interesting at any time of the year. Along the lake there is a wonderful promenade. In the warm season pleasure boats cruise on the lake. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Among the architectural attractions, one of the most famous is the palace of Ryumin. It once belonged to a wealthy Russian immigrant. He bequeathed to the city, half a million francs, which was spent on the improvement of urban infrastructure. After the death of its owner, the magnificent palace was converted into a university. In 1980, a museum was opened in its walls. Now, in those splendid halls with antique interior, are stored collections of interesting archaeological, geological and historical exhibits, as well as works of art of various periods.

One of the oldest buildings in Lausanne is the Chateau Saint-Maire. It was built in the 15th century and was originally used as an Episcopal residence. Already, in the first half of the 16th century, the castle was taken over by the state. Until now it was managed to keep part of the old furniture. Now the building belongs to state institutions. It is surrounded by small areas, from which a wonderful view of the historic streets unwraps.

Everyone who is interested in the art of photography will be interested to visit the Musee de L'Elysee. It occupies a beautiful Baroque mansion. The museum has a permanent exposition, and often hosts various exhibitions and presentations. During many of these events, you can buy unique works of famous modern photographers. After visiting the museum, guests can stroll through the picturesque garden.

There are also original modern monuments of architecture in Lausanne, such as the Sauvabelin Tower. It is located on the territory of the park of the same name. This tower was built in 2003 and is 35 meters tall. This original building has an exclusively decorative function. It is completely built of wood, and the roof of the tower is made of copper. At the top of the tower is the highest observation deck in the city, which you can climb to using the spiral staircase.