Discover Lausanne from a different angle on a downhill stroll, from the city’s historic heights to the peaceful shores of Lake Geneva. This walking route takes you through four iconic sites, perfect for combining culture, greenery and relaxation.
The walk starts at Lausanne Cathedral, a 13th-century Gothic gem and a true balcony overlooking Lake Geneva. After admiring its stained-glass windows and the view from the esplanade, make your way down to the Collection de l’Art Brut, a museum unlike any other in the world, bringing together spontaneous and fascinating works created outside traditional artistic circles.
Continue gently on to the Lausanne Botanical Garden, a green haven in the heart of the city. Here you’ll discover more than 6,000 plant species from around the world, a peaceful pond and a superb view over Lausanne’s rooftops.
Finally, end your descent at the Olympic Museum, located on the Ouchy waterfront. It’s the ideal place to round off the walk : an inspiring visit to the heart of world sporting history, followed by a relaxing moment by the lake, facing the Alps and the shimmering waters of Lake Geneva.
Practical tips
- Duration : allow around a full day to make the most of each site, with time to visit, wander and take a few breaks.
- Lunch break : stop off in the lively Flon district, in the heart of Lausanne, where terraces, restaurants and trendy cafés offer plenty of options to suit all tastes.
- The route is mainly downhill and accessible to all (wear good shoes for the cobblestones).
- With children : breaks recommended at the Botanical Garden or on the lawns of the Olympic Museum.
- Getting to the start : M2 metro, Riponne-Maurice Béjart or Bessières stop.
- Easy return : M2 metro from Ouchy-Olympique back to the city centre.
Did you know ?
Lausanne is the only “Olympic Capital” in the world : the International Olympic Committee has been headquartered here for over a century. And behind its tranquil appearance, the city hides terrain worthy of San Francisco : more than 500 steps between the upper and lower parts of town !
