Go Venture Beyond.blog

Though it may not have the prestige or popularity of other big Swiss cities like Geneva or Zurich. Lausanne, on the northern banks of Lake Geneva , combines the natural beauty of the lakes and mountain, with some dramatic medieval charm. The 2nd stop on my trip across the country, Lausanne is a brief 40 or so minutes by train from Geneva, making it a convenient stopover.

The 4th biggest city in Switzerland is also known as the Olympic capital, as it is officially the home of the IOC, and the Olympic theme is quite prominent across the town. I didn’t really know what to expect during my time here, but I was very surprised by what I saw!

The city offers a free travel pass for all guests, similar to the other Swiss destinations. Lausanne has a small metro system, so getting around isn’t all that difficult (unless you want a jaunt around the old town….), it’s only 2 lines, so maneuvering the system is very simple.

There is a handy tourist desk at the train station, hard to miss! So pick up some tips and maps from the local experts . The city can really be split into 2 parts if you only have a day or two. The lakeside promenade of Ouchy, and the rustic old town in the center.

As I had arrived in the late afternoon, thought it would be a better option to check out the promenade, as the low light sets in. Taking the metro down south to the last stop, Ouchy–Olympique, takes you right down to the waterfront port of Ouchy.. Geneva had some sights but the view here was a spectacle, as you can really get right down to the lakeside. With the mountains looming across the horizon, the late afternoon haze was a postcard moment! The promenade itself goes along for a while, with a good kilometer of this magnificent alpine scene along a quaint pavement. on a clear blue summer’s day, you can’t beat it!

Backtrack towards the station, and you’ll have a plethora of options for food and drink, so pick up a drink and enjoy. The following day, with the lake ticked off, I decided to check out the other must see landmark, the gothic old town. The lakeside may have been a flat trip, the old town is steep, piercing into the sky. It’ll get your calves working…..

Make your way to the Escaliers du Marché, this alleyway of steps going up to the cathedral provides the picture perfect spot, with the rows of cute boutiques leading up to the grand cathedral at the summit. The wooden steps adding to the medieval aura. Alongside my next stop, at Bern. This probably was the best of the bygone aesthetic! The photos below don’t require a caption..

Another great vantage point would be Esplanade de Montbenon, this park on the hills above the town provides a magnificent panoramic view of the entire city and the lake beyond. Getting around isn’t too much of a hassle, most attractions are fairly close together, so you can really tick off a lot in a fairly short amount of time. Walking around isn’t something that bothers me much, so a nice long stroll can be very rewarding.

After the bustling nature of Geneva, Lausanne is far more serene, and also, far smaller. Two days is probably enough to see most of the sites the city has to offer, unless you want to take a cruise out on the lake, or take a venture out to the hills surrounding the region. Lausanne was a lovely surprise, as it really wasn’t a part of my original itinerary for the trip across Switzerland, but with its close proximity to Geneva, and train connection, it made sense to drop by, and am I glad that I did!