Lausanne, Switzerland

View of Lausanne, Switzerland, from Lake Geneva
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009-08-27_Lake_Geneva_440.JPG
Author: Norbert Aepli


Lausanne is a meditum sized city in Switzerland that serves as the gateway to the alpine ski resorts. It is located in the French-speaking Romandy part of the country, and serves as the capital of the canton of Vaud.

Lausanne covers 41.37 sq km (15.97 sq mi). It is located at an average elevation of 495 m (1,624 ft). It has a population of 130,000 (2011 estimate), making it the fourth largest city in Switzerland. The metropolitan area covering Lausanne and Geneva has a population totalling 320,000. Lausanne is the home of the International Olympic Committee. It is the world's smallest city with a rapid transit system.

The history of Lausanne goes back to Roman times when it was a military camp called Lousanna, which was built over a Celtic settlement. The settlement was relocated closer to the lake after the fall of the Roman Empire. It became the capital of the Swiss canton, Vaud, in 1803.

Lausanne is built on the Swiss plateau, by the banks of Lake Geneva. There was an ancient river which once flowed through the city. The river, called the Flon, was covered over since the 19th century.

Palais de Rumine, Lausanne
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palais_de_Rumine_%28Lausanne%29-09.JPG
Author: Guérin Nicolas

Visiting Lausanne, Switzerland

You can take the train to Lausanne from all the major cities of Switzerland. There are also services from Paris, Milan, Rome and Venice.

Lausanne Cathedral with Bessieres Bridge and St-Martin Bridge
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cathedrale_Lausanne_Bessieres.JPG
Author: Grez

Places of Interest in Lausanne, Switzerland

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