Cheers to Switzerland, our 35th country visited as a duo!
We spent 24 hours in Lausanne, which was just the right amount of time for us. Lausanne is a vibrant city perched on hills overlooking Lake Geneva and is the 4th largest city in Switzerland, after Zurich, Geneva, and Basel.
We chose to visit Lausanne because it is close to Geneva airport (~45 minutes) and because it has stunning views of Lake Geneva. We stayed at ChĆ¢teau dāOuchy, which is right on the lake. We also considered stayed at Royal Savoy Hotel and Beau-Rivage Palace, both of which we hear are great.
Here is our Google map from the trip!
Food
Pic au Beau-Rivage Palace: We had an incredible, unforgettable dining experience here! Pic au Beau-Rivage Palace is a renowned Michelin-starred restaurant located within the prestigious Beau-Rivage Palace hotel. Helmed by chef Anne-Sophie Pic, it offers a refined gastronomic experience with a focus on delicate and inventive cuisine that celebrates local ingredients. The restaurant is recently refurbished and boasts an elegant and modern interior. We ate outside and enjoyed breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and the French Alps. Our dinner consisted of a 7 course tasting menu. Each course was delicious, and the service was impeccable!
CafƩ de Grancy: We learned about CafƩ de Grancy from this article. We enjoyed this casual eatery, especially because it was perfect for a light, quick lunch.
Fripsquare CafƩ: We stopped here for coffee and a quick breakfast. The croissants were amazing!
Activities
Walking along Lake Geneva: Our favorite part of Lausanne is that it has spectacular views of Lake Geneva!
The Olympic Museum: The Olympic Museum in Lausanne has been home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters since 1915 when it was determined to be a peaceful, neutral environment during World War I. We enjoyed climbing the steps up the museum, exploring the grounds, and visiting the gift shop.
Synagogue de Lausanne: As we often do when exploring cities, we made sure to find Lausanneās Jewish sites. The Synagogue of Lausanne was inaugurated in 1910 and stands as a notable example of Romanesque Revival and Byzantine Revival architecture. It was built with significant support from the local Ashkenazi community and it remains an active center for Jewish life in the region. The placard outside the synagogue translates in English to āBecause they were Jews, six million men, women, and children were massacred by the Nazis. May from now and in the love of G-d and of neighbor inspire all men so that the time of tears and blood are over. Love your neighbor as yourself.ā Reading this felt profoundly meaningful since we were visiting the Synagogue on Shabbat and also amid surging antisemitism worldwide.
Lausanne Cathedral: The cathedral is a breathtaking example of Gothic architecture that majestically overlooks the city from its hilltop perch. We enjoyed taking pictures of the city views from above and then going into the church to see its intricate, beautiful details.
Place de la Palud: This is a vibrant, historic square at the heart of Lausanne’s Old Town. It includes the impressive 17th-century Town Hall and the charming Fountain of Justice. We really enjoyed walking through this bustling area filled with many street vendors.
Esplanade de Montbenon: The Esplanade de Montbenon is a sprawling park that offers some of Lausanne’s most spectacular panoramic views. From its elevated position, we enjoyed breathtaking vistas of Lake Geneva and the majestic French Alps. It was clear this was a beloved spot, with many people picnicking and kids happily playing in the water fountains. The park is also next to Palais de Justice de Montbenon, which is an impressive, neoclassical building that originally housed the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland and today serves as the seat of the Tribunal d’arrondissement de Lausanne (District Court).
Colline de Montriond: We took a small detour on the walk back to our hotel after exploring for the day so that we could walk through Colline de Montriond. It is a distinctive hill that is part of the larger Parc de Milan.
Next Time
- Lupaia Osteria: We passed this restaurant while exploring and it seems like such a good vibe!
- Brasserie de Montbenon: This is supposedly a good dinner spot.
- Vieux-Lausanne Restaurant & Bar Giraf: This is also supposedly a great dinner spot.
Melanie & Cody 