Have you ever dreamed of moving to Switzerland? I moved to this city from Washington, D.C. with my husband and we have had a blast learning about and exploring Lausanne.
Though Lausanne is now our home, it’s always fun to be a tourist to get to know the area. Before leaving the U.S., plenty of people cautioned us against how expensive Switzerland would be, however, there are plenty of things to do in Lausanne without spending much — if any — money.
We’ve found these places to be well worth the visit for free.
1. Lausanne Farmers Market
When we’re in town on a Saturday, the farmers market is an absolute can’t-miss. The City of Lausanne hosts a wonderful market that centralizes in Place de Riponne in the heart of Old Town and spills onto side streets and other squares. Here, you’ll find huge trailers filled with local produce, meat trucks, a few food carts, and literal cheese wagons. I make a beeline for a double-wide patisserie stand run by several no-nonsense women that bring their own oven to bake tarts fresh and who do not have time for my American notions of not being able to decide which pastry to choose for breakfast. S loves the escargot pastry, aka pain au raisin, all brioche and pastry cream and sultanas (Americans, these are golden raisins). I’ve also recently discovered another pastry stand that is, pardon the cliche, chef’s kiss. La Cave À Levain makes picture-perfect pastries, my favorites so far being the tiniest croissant and kouign amann, a fancy French pastry made of laminated dough. Sure, if you want to partake (and I highly recommend you do), you’ll need a few Swiss francs in your pocket, though it is (almost) equally as fun to window shop.
2. Cathédrale de Lausanne
In any season, a visit to the Lausanne Cathedral is a necessity. This gargantuan architectural feat is perched above Old Town, adorned with beautiful stained glass windows, and is open to the public for free. The cathedral also hosts organ concerts throughout the year, so you can hear the impressiveness of the two organs yourself. The cathedral is beautiful itself and also boasts a lovely view of Lausanne City, Lake Geneva, and the Alps, as long as visibility is good. In the December, you’ll find a vin chaud stand outside of the cathedral with a few open fires for warmth during the city’s Christmas market.
3. Ouchy
Ouchy (pronounced ooh-shee) is a large harbor area where the lake meets Lausanne which is a gateway to the lake for anyone with a fancy sailboat. It’s also the launch point for ferries heading across the lake to Thonnon-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains, both of which are in France. Yep, you can see across to France and be there in an hour or less! There are plenty of restaurants, open plazas for little kids to burn off energy, boats to watch, and recreational areas. If you visit Ouchy during the spring, you’ll see a lot of Swiss people sitting in the sun, soaking in the warmth and view. It’s an excellent spot to people watch and enjoy a beautiful day, especially if your winters are long and you spend them skiing down a snowy mountain.
4. Jardins Musée Olympique
The gardens at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne are wonderful. Visit them for the greenery, the water features, the quiet, and the sculptures. The gardens are free and make a nice spot to read a book or to picnic. It’s a good place for families too; there’s an activity where you can try to outrun Usain Bolt! Continue down the hill toward the lake for the most breathtaking view of the Alps and thank me later. In my opinion, this is the best spot in Lausanne for lake/mountain combo photos.
5. Le Site de Sauvabelin
Le Sauvabelin is a structure that sits above Lausanne and offers a great view of the city and surrounding areas. It’s a 35 meter tower built in 2003 and those who scale the 302 steps to the top will be rewarded with a beautiful panorama. A bit of planning goes into visiting Le Sauvabelin, both because it involves a long walk straight up a giant hill and because it’s surrounded by a small lake, petting zoo, and cafes you may want to visit.
6. Ruines Romaines de Vidy
This one is a lesser-known spot in Lausanne: Roman ruins! As an American, I’m enthralled by the idea of walking on a Roman road or seeing the remnants of structure built more than 300 years ago. In Vidy, you can take a peaceful stroll through the ancient city center of Lousanna as Lausanners walk their dogs next to you. Admire the water feature, peer through the viewfinders to see how the ancient buildings may have looked, enjoy the surrounding nature, and marvel at the fact that most people around you will be so used to these ancient ruins.
American Girl in Switzerland 