The Lausanne-Vidy Roman Museum stands on the remains of a wealthy residence in Lousonna, the Roman port on Lake Geneva. Discover everyday objects found on the site, then explore an archaeological park and a Mediterranean-style garden.
Archaeological museums
Lausanne-Vidy Roman Museum
Main highlights
- Remains of a Roman residence built into the museum, with visible floors, walls and foundations
- Everyday objects from Lousonna : ceramics, jewellery, coins and bronze tableware
- Open-air archaeological park with freely accessible ruins and a Mediterranean-style garden
Overview
Lausanne’s first Roman museum was founded in 1934 on the site of a domus overlooking the Roman town of Lousonna. The current museum, enlarged and renovated, opened in the same location in 1993. The building rises directly above the remains of this dwelling, part of which can be seen along the visitor route.
In Roman times, Lousonna was an important port on Lake Geneva, linking the Alpine regions with the territories to the north. The town flourished between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD before gradually being abandoned. Excavations carried out since the early 20th century have uncovered numerous remains of this lakeside settlement.
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What to see and do
The permanent exhibition traces the history of Lousonna through the lives of its inhabitants. Display cases feature ceramics, tools, jewellery, coins, architectural fragments and decorative elements. A bronze tableware set is among the highlights. The remains of the Roman residence reveal the domestic architecture and comfort enjoyed by wealthy residents.
The tour follows characters who lived in the region nearly 2,000 years ago : Alba the matron, Aptus the Germanic slave, Secundus the boy from Italy and Flora the teenager. Each sheds light on a different aspect of Roman society, its hierarchies and its activities. Temporary exhibitions on antiquity and archaeology round out the offering.
Outside, the archaeological park lets you walk among building foundations, road remains and other structures, giving a sense of the size of the ancient town.
Practical information
Getting there : buses 1, 2 and 6, Maladière stop; bus 25, Bois-de-Vaux stop; M1 metro, Bourdonnette stop.
Visit duration : 1 to 1.5 hours for the museum, plus 30 minutes for the archaeological park.
Audience : families and school groups, with themed guided tours and Roman craft workshops.
Accessibility : the museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Visitor tips
With children, pick a character at the start of the tour : the storytelling approach makes Roman history more tangible for young visitors.
In summer, extend your visit in the Mediterranean garden, then stroll along the nearby shores of Lake Geneva. Weekdays are the quietest.
Nearby attractions
- The Espace des inventions invites young and old to explore science through hands-on experiments.
- The Olympic Museum, the museum of the International Olympic Committee, presents the Olympic movement on the shores of Lake Geneva.
- The Lausanne Botanical Garden combines botanical collections, educational spaces and walks.
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