Weekend in Lausanne ; A Gourmet and Cultural Itinerary

A weekend in Lausanne is a chance to (re)discover the city on the shores of Lake Geneva. This condensed itinerary brings together gourmet addresses, cultural walks and curiosities of all kinds.

Weekend in Lausanne ; A Gourmet Friday Evening

The weekend starts on Friday evening. To get off to a good start, Eat Me (in French) welcomes its guests in the heart of the city. For two or with friends, this restaurant charms with its eclectic food. Its small plates take your taste buds around the world. A must-visit address, already featured on the blog.

A Drink at the Lausanne Cocktail Club

After this meal of world flavours, the evening continues drink in hand. A few steps are enough to reach the Lausanne Cocktail Club (in French). The menu offers a parade of drinks, each more indulgent than the last. The classic, timeless Cosmopolitan, blending vodka and cranberry, remains a must. To get home, taxis and Lausanne’s public transport take over. Because when drinking, you shouldn’t drive.

Saturday Morning between Chocolate and the Old Town

On Saturday morning, head to the city centre for breakfast at Maison Buet (in French). The atmosphere is warm and its hot chocolates win everyone over. The homemade pastries delight the eyes as much as the taste buds. A few chocolate pralines happily complete this gourmet moment.

Photo credits ; Maison Buet

Place de la Palud and its Clock

Once outside, the shops of the city centre invite you to wander. The grocery Aux Spécialités de la Palud gathers products from all over the world. Right next door, Place de la Palud reveals its animated clock. Built for the 1964 National Exhibition, it tells the history of the canton of Vaud. Every hour, its automatons come out of the wall to the tune of “il a sonné l’heure”. The Fountain of Justice, in the centre of the square, is also worth a look. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, market stalls fill the square and nearby streets. From the Palud, the Escaliers du Marché, covered by a wooden roof, climb up towards the cathedral.

From the Riponne Market to Rue de l’Ale

The route then climbs back up towards Place Saint-Laurent. On Rue de l’Ale, the Søstrene Grene shop charms with its Scandinavian-style decor. Then back to Place de la Riponne and its Saturday market. Producers and artisans create a festive, multicultural atmosphere. The Duttweiler cheese shop notably offers its famous caramel Gruyère. The square is dominated by the Palais de Rumine, a neo-Renaissance building from the early 20th century. Today it houses several cantonal museums and the university library.

Weekend in Lausanne ; A Cultural Saturday Afternoon

After a morning of walking, a break is a must at Le Vaudois, on Place de la Riponne. This brasserie is a true Lausanne institution. Renovated, it has regained the atmosphere of traditional brasseries. Its Swiss specialities promise a hearty meal. The atmosphere is warm and friendly.

Photo credits ; Le Vaudois

The Olympic Museum in Ouchy

The M2 metro then leads to Ouchy, on the shores of Lake Geneva. On the quays, pedal boats glide over the water and the open view is enchanting. At the end of the promenade, the Olympic Museum appears in the middle of its gardens. For more than two hours, the history of the Olympic Games unfolds through various exhibitions. CarteCulture holders get in free. A cultural moment, out of time.

Lausanne has been home to the International Olympic Committee since 1915, hence its title of Olympic capital. Opened in 1993 and renovated in 2013, the museum overlooks the lake from the Olympic park. To get down there, the M2 metro links the top of the city to the lakeshore in a few minutes. It is said to be one of the steepest metros in the world, like a city built on hills. This ride is one of the little curiosities of a weekend in Lausanne.

The Sauvabelin Tower and its Panorama

On leaving the museum, the metro climbs back up towards La Sallaz. A short walk leads to the Sauvabelin (in French) park and its pond. The wooden tower rises in the heart of the forest. Its 151 steps lead to a 360° viewpoint. Lausanne, the lake and the surroundings then open up to view. A panorama that recalls all the beauty of the canton of Vaud. Opened in 2003, this tower made of local wood rises 35 metres high. Around the pond, the park is also home to farm animals, popular with families.

At the end of the day, the nearby Chalet Suisse welcomes you for dinner. A touristy place, admittedly, but one that never disappoints. Labelled a historic café of Lausanne, it delights with Swiss specialities.

Weekend in Lausanne ; A Sunday between Cathedral and Museums

Sunday begins in the Cité district. Many shops stay closed that day. The Sisterfields (in French) café is an exception and offers a comforting breakfast. Just above, Lausanne Cathedral imposes its Gothic silhouette. A stone staircase leads to the top of its tower. The panorama over the city’s rooftops is well worth the effort. Back down, the interior reveals the full richness of its architecture.

Consecrated in 1275, Notre-Dame Cathedral is among the finest Gothic buildings in Switzerland. Its 13th-century rose window illustrates a medieval vision of the world, between seasons, elements and signs of the zodiac. Every night, a watchman still calls out the hours from the tower, from 10 pm to 2 am. This tradition has continued since the Middle Ages and is the pride of Lausanne’s residents.

Mon Repos Park and its Aviary

Next comes Mon Repos park, a true green haven. Its aviary is home to several species of birds with fascinating songs. The vast lawns invite a stroll before heading back down to the station. The park is also home to the Federal Supreme Court, Switzerland’s highest court. Its villa, English gardens and small Gothic tower create a romantic setting.

Plateforme 10, the Finale of the Weekend in Lausanne

Near the station, Le Milan is among the best Italian restaurants in the city. For a burger craving, Inglewood is also nearby, on Boulevard de Grancy. The afternoon continues at Plateforme 10, Lausanne’s arts district. The site brings together three major cantonal museums, the MCBA, Photo Elysée and the mudac. The MCBA opened in 2019, followed by Photo Elysée and the mudac in 2022. The buildings are impressive and the exhibitions fascinating. A last drink at the cafeteria beautifully wraps up this weekend. A lovely way to (re)discover Lausanne in two days. To lighten the bill, some restaurants also accept Resto-Club ALIGRO (in French) vouchers.

Planning a Weekend in Lausanne

Lausanne is easy to explore on foot, provided you bring good shoes for its many slopes. The M2 metro and buses complete the journeys between the lake and the old town. Hotel guests receive the Lausanne Transport Card, which gives free access to public transport. Saturday remains the ideal day to enjoy the markets and shops in the centre. On Sundays, it is better to focus on museums, parks and walks, as many shops close. With these few pointers, a weekend in Lausanne is easy to enjoy.

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Tourist Office

Weekend in Lausanne