Your property in Lausanne
Stunningly renovated century-old mansions with unrivalled views across Lake Geneva and the Alps, and splendid modern apartments near beautiful parks feature among the property in Lausanne.
The city is surrounded by captivating countryside meaning exceptional villas in private, gated green havens are available on its outskirts but within easy reach of the centre.
Inside Lausanne
The cosmopolitan capital of Vaud is known for its intellectual and cultural heritage.
Lausanne’s population is exceptionally international thanks to its outstanding university, which attracts students from across the globe, and due to it hosting the International Olympic Committee – making it the world capital of the Olympic movement.
The city has an extremely vibrant artistic community and is perfect for those who enjoy health and wellbeing, with swimming and water sports available on Lake Geneva and fantastic hiking and cycling available in the surrounding wide open spaces.
Landscape
From the shores of Lake Geneva, the city rises up fairly steeply, giving some neighbourhoods uninterrupted views across the lake and to the Alps.
The medieval city is surrounded by equally traditional towns and villages and is just over half an hour from the expanses of the Jura Vaudois regional park.
Education
There are numerous excellent public and international schools within Lausanne, including The International School, Collège Champittet, and École Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande. Beyond these, the surrounding Vaud communities also offer some exceptional institutions, including Aiglon in the resort of Villars-sur-Ollon, St George’s School in Clarens, and La Rosey in Rolle, one of Switzerland’s most prestigious boarding schools. For further education, the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne university is one of Switzerland’s most prestigious universities and considered the country’s version of Boston’s MIT.
Activities and Entertainment
The very old and the very new harmoniously reside in Lausanne, with an outstanding array of historical monuments, including the Cathédrale de Notre Dame, alongside exceptional new attractions like its Aquatis Aquarium and Vivarium.
The city’s pedestrianised old town regularly comes to life with markets, including those around the Place de la Riponne, in the shadow of the Palais de Rumine, and showcase the region’s outstanding fresh produce, arts and crafts, and antiques.
The city has a host of outdoor pools on the edge of Lake Geneva , including Bellerive, and being on the lake means taking up various water sports is easy and convenient, while Lausanne’s park provide the perfect place to relax with a picnic.
Art and Culture
Lausanne is bursting with a large number of brilliant museums, ranging from the Musée Cantonal des Beaux Arts, which houses fine are by Swiss and foreign artists, through to the lavish Olympic Museum, with its modern installations helping to chart the history of the sporting spectacle.
The city is awash with live music venues too, with the Opéra de Lausanne hosting operas and classical music concerts, the Docks Lausanne welcoming all genres of modern music, and Le Romandie, a rock venue in the arches of the Grand-Pont.
And Lausanne knows how to put on a show with some exceptional events throughout the year, including Festival de la Cité, a week-long event filled with visual arts and open-air performances, while its fireworks display on Swiss National Day are renowned.
Food and Drink
The international feel of Lausanne is reflected in its varied and enticing restaurants, with everything from traditional Swiss, French and Italian cuisine, through to creative and global gastronomy across its Michelin-starred and lively, trendy restaurants.
The city is a particular hub for regional cooking, thanks to its abundance of local produce, including truffles, asparagus and seafood, as well as cheeses and charcuterie.
In terms of wine, Lausanne is perfectly placed, sitting amid a host of vineyard areas within the Vaud canton – from La Côte, west of the city, via Lavaux (between Lausanne and Montreux) to Chablais. Plus, Vaud is flanked by the Geneva, Neuchâtel and Valais wine regions.
Accessibility
Lausanne has its own private international airport on the edge of the city, while the nearest commercial airport is Geneva, just over 60 kilometres away.
Switzerland’s exceptional high-speed train network also connects Lausanne with the country’s other major cities, with international trains also serving the city.
By road, the city is extremely well-connected with the A1 and A9 roads meeting on the edge of the city and travelling west and east respectively.