Lausanne

From tram heritage to world-class chocolate, here are Lausanne’s unmissable highlights. Use this shortlist to experience the city’s essence in a day or two.

• Walk Avenue de Renens to witness the T1 tramway construction reshaping a car-choked artery into a green urban boulevard.
• Explore Rue de Bourg and its chocolatiers—Blondel, Durig and more—tasting pralines, caracs and the local Bouchon vaudois.
• Visit Place Saint-François, once the historic tram nexus, and imagine rails criss-crossing the square amid today’s elegant shops.
• Take the M1 from Lausanne-Flon to Renens for sweeping views over the Vallée de la Jeunesse and a glide through the UNIL–EPFL campus.
• Hike from UNIL-Sorge down to Lake Geneva for a peaceful shoreline wander far from the weekday rush.

Lausanne’s food culture blends French-Swiss finesse with a deep love of artisan sweets, lakeside produce and market-fresh fare. Expect elegant pâtisseries, cosy cafés and lively weekly markets alongside the region’s storied chocolate heritage.

• Bouchon vaudois – a cork-shaped confection of crunchy praline dipped in chocolate, often with a hint of local marc; created in 1948 to honour Vaud’s vineyards. Best picked up from traditional confiseries and enjoyed with a coffee in snug cafés.
• Carac – a small tart with silky chocolate ganache under a bright green icing; a true test of any Lausanne pâtisserie. Enjoy at the counter or take away for a sweet pause in city cafés.
• Chocolat chaud – ultra-thick, dark hot chocolate so rich a spoon almost stands up in it. Perfect for wintery afternoons in intimate old-town cafés like those along the Escaliers du Marché.
• Riponne & Palud markets – Wednesday/Saturday stalls brimming with artisan sweets, nougat, gingerbread and local honey, plus seasonal produce and cheeses. Soak up the lively, street-market atmosphere with buskers and bustling stands.

Choosing where to stay in Lausanne is about matching the neighbourhood to your trip, not chasing a specific hotel. Each area has a distinct vibe, terrain, and transport links that shape your stay.

• Ouchy (Lakeside) — resort feel with waterfront promenades, big views and easy M2 access; ideal for couples, walkers and a relaxed pace.
• Flon & Saint-François (City Centre) — lively, modern hub for nightlife and shopping with top connections (M1/M2, buses); best for urban explorers.
• Cité/Old Town — cobbled, historic quarter around the cathedral with steep lanes and quiet nights; suits history lovers and photographers.
• Sous-Gare/Grancy — calm residential streets between station and lake, café culture and quick rail links; good for families and early departures.

Travel in Lausanne is straightforward: it’s compact, well-signed and backed by excellent public transport. The city’s hills add charm but also dictate a few practical choices on shoes and routes. A handful of local tips will make your stay smoother and better value.

• Affordability: Switzerland is expensive: expect CHF 15–25 for a casual lunch, CHF 30–50 for a sit‑down dinner, mid‑range hotels CHF 160–250 (hostel beds CHF 45–70), and note most hotels include a free Lausanne Transport Card that offsets local travel costs.
• Transport: The centre is walkable but hilly; the m2 metro, M1 light rail, buses and trolleybuses handle the climbs, while SBB trains and CGN ferries make easy day trips to Vevey, Montreux, Lavaux and Évian/Yvoire (Swiss Travel Pass widely accepted), and a car is only useful for tiny vineyard villages.
• Language: French is the main language, but English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants and by students, and simple greetings (bonjour/merci) are appreciated.
• Safety & comfort: It’s very safe for families and solo travellers; use normal pickpocket caution in busy spots (Flon, the main station, festivals), wear good shoes for cobbles and slopes, and in winter watch for icy pavements—tap water is excellent.
• Crowds: High season is June–September (and December weekends), when the lakeside and Old Town are lively; shoulder months (Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar) are calmer, though public transport is crowded on weekdays 07:30–09:00 and 16:30–18:30, especially the M1.

Seasonality in Lausanne is defined by warm, lively summers on the lake, crisp winters with occasional snow, and mellow shoulder seasons ideal for vineyard walks and city exploring. Crowds peak in July–August; spring and autumn offer the best balance of price, weather, and space.

• High Summer (Jul–Aug): Warm (often 22–28°C), buzzing lakeside vibes, festivals and long evenings; busiest and priciest time.
• Spring & Autumn (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct): Mild (10–20°C), fewer crowds, occasional showers; great for Lavaux vineyards, culture, and relaxed city breaks.
• Winter (Nov–Mar): Cold (around 0–5°C) with occasional snow; cosy museums and Christmas lights, quieter overall except around the holidays.