Tour Bel-Air ; Switzerland’s First Skyscraper in Lausanne

Thanks to a great opportunity, I was able to visit the Tour Bel-Air, an emblem of the city of Lausanne.

The Tour Bel-Air

A Lausanne Emblem since 1931

The Tour Bel-Air, part of the Bel-Air Métropole complex, dominates the east of the site and overlooks Place Bel-Air. Its south facade runs along Rue de Genève, below. The tower rises 15 storeys from the square and 19 from the street. Located in Lausanne’s Centre district, it marks the urban landscape of the canton of Vaud, in Switzerland.

Lausanne’s Skyscraper

The Tour Bel-Air ; An Architectural Curiosity of Lausanne

The Tour Bel-Air, designed by architect Alphonse Laverrière in 1931, was inspired by engineer Eugène Scotoni. Switzerland’s first skyscraper, its height drew criticism, notably from Protestants who feared it would rise above the cathedral. Its resemblance to the buildings of Wall Street, symbol of the 1929 crash, added to the controversy. Georges Rigassi, editor of the Gazette de Lausanne, described it as an “offence to reason and good taste”. On the other hand, Ch.-A. Cingria defended it in his writings, calling for taller and more numerous skyscrapers.

The tower is not just an office and apartment building. It also houses shops, a restaurant and a theatre. Equipped with the most modern technologies of the time, such as electricity, refrigerators, showers and telephones, it embodied innovation. The theatre hosted concerts until the 1950s, before becoming the “Métropole” cinema until it closed in 1988. In 1992, the Béjart Ballet Lausanne performed there, and the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra plays there regularly.

Listed as a Swiss cultural property of national importance, the tower was renovated in 2011 to blend better into its surroundings. Before it, the site was occupied by the “Le Bosquet” estate, a 19th-century villa surrounded by vines. The Tour Bel-Air had caught my eye for years. Some hate it, others love it, but it fascinated me. I dreamed of going up it, reaching the top and discovering what it could offer. This desire to see Lausanne from above grew over time.

Inside the Tour Bel-Air

To start the visit, what better than walking around the building and soaking up the atmosphere of the neighbourhood. To share some historical facts and several professional photographs, I took the liberty of borrowing content from the CCHE website.

photo credits CCHE

The Top of the Tour Bel-Air

I finally had the opportunity to climb the tower and discover the terrace of the private apartment at the top. Once there, a never-before-seen view of Lausanne opened up before me. The sky was clear, revealing a spectacular view of the lake and the mountains. It was simply magnificent, a dream come true. This building hides many surprises! My passion for panoramas was fulfilled by this rare and precious discovery, which brought me immense joy.

A huge thank you to the owner for this unique and exceptional opportunity. At the foot of the tower, Bel-Air Coffee (in French) invites a break. For another panorama, the Sauvabelin tower (in French) is a must.

Tour Bel-Air