Things to do in Lausanne
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Amnésia
This place packs them in down on the lake. Apart from the club proper (with four dance floors) you can limber up in one of three attached bars beforehand and, in summer, get a snack in the restaurant on the beach (both open to 2am, May to October).
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Café de Grancy
An old-time bar resurrected with flair by young entrepreneurs, this spot has established itself as a hip hang-out with floppy lounges in the front, wi-fi, and a tempting restaurant out back. Brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday (10am to 3pm).
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Le Bourg
What was once an old cinema is now one of central Lausanne’s happening drink dens and live music stages. Squeeze upstairs past the bar for a good view down to the stage area. Music can be anything from Afro sounds to local jam sessions.
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Brasserie Lausanne-Moudon
Set on two floors overlooking the square, this restaurant offers such enticing dishes as medaillons de filet d'autruche au poivre vert (ostrich filet medallions with green pepper). They do a good tarte tatin (apple tart) too.
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Musée de Design et d’Arts Appliqués Contemporains
The Musée de Design et d’Arts Appliqués Contemporains is a centre of modern design that frequently holds intriguing temporary exhibitions. Entry to the museum is free on the first Saturday of the month.
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Opéra de Lausanne
Runs a season rich in events from September to May. Classics of opera alternate with classical music concerts and one-off presentations of world music. Tickets can cost from Sfr15 to Sfr130, depending on the performance and seats.
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Louis
Wine-lovers flock to this place to quaff fine tipples from around Europe. Attached is a Mediterranean-style bistro for light meals and a swanky restaurant upstairs. Outside is an extensive deck terrace on Voie du Chariot.
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Le Romandie
Lausanne’s premier rock club has taken up residence in this postindustrial location within the great stone arches of the Grand Pont. Expect live rock, garage and even punk, followed by DJ sounds in a similar vein.
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Loft Electroclub
Loft, a predominantly red bar and dance space just one level down the stairs of the Tour Bel-Air building, is a popular late-night option. DJs occasionally put on R & B nights, while Saturday is electro night.
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Café-Restaurant du Vieuxlausanne
An old stalwart, where good French and Swiss cooking comes in generous portions. Meat is the central theme, with dishes like tartare de boeuf (Sfr32) starring. In summer, sit beneath the narrow pergola.
reviewed
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Paparazzi
A dimly lit, classy lounge bar where, to start the evening, you can taste a variety of Italian wines or, if you arrive later, take a stronger drink and throw yourself into a comfy couch till late.
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Café du Pont
This tiny upstairs bar, long a haunt for conspiratorial leftists to engage in long chats about the state of the nation (or the canton), is a curious little hideaway for sipping on Belgian beers.
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Vidy Beach
Vidy Beach is a beach on Lake Geneva, backed by thick woods and parklands. Locals can be seen cycling, rollerblading (in-line skating) or just strolling along the waterfront on sunny weekends.
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Trixx Club
MAD hosts Trixx Club on Sunday night, the big club night for gays and lesbians throughout western Switzerland. Over the five floors is one dedicated to gals and another to guys.
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Fondation de l'Hermitage
Fondation de l’Hermitage is a charming 19th-century residence constantly hosts high-calibre temporary art expositions. Take bus 16 from Place St François.
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Café Luna
It’s a spacious, modern bar, with angular dark furniture, huge, saucer-like lights hanging from the ceiling and DJs spinning all sorts of sounds from Thursday to Saturday.
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Le V.O. et L'Ar'Lov Jazz Café
This venue, with red and pink low lighting, pulls in punters from all over town for tipples and occasional live music. It makes a good late night alternative to clubbing.
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L'Atelier Volant
This venue is gaily painted and hard to miss. Salsa is a big theme on the 1st floor, but there are more mainstream hits on the ground floor and reggae on the 2nd floor.
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Giraf Bar
This tiny, smoke-filled bar fills up on a Friday and Saturday night. The giraffe-skin motif is repeated inside on lampshades and the music can reach back to the 1980s.
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Java
This place spreads over two floors. Up on the first, a separate lounge area is perfect for a quiet one. Wall-length mirrors and thick lounge chairs dominate the decor.
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Musée de l'Elysée
The Musée de l’Elysée is worth keeping an eye on if you like photography. It stages temporary expositions that are often excellent.
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Palais de Beaulieu
This venue stages concerts, operas and ballets. Lausanne has its own chamber orchestra and the renowned Rudra Béjart Ballet company (www.bejart -rudra.ch).
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Château St Maire
The haughty, turreted Château St Maire is a 15th-century castle that was once the residence of the bishops of Lausanne and now houses government offices.
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Collection
This extraordinary collection, put together by French artist Jean Dubuffet, opened in 1976 in what was a late 18th- century country mansion.
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Les Docks
Les Docks is the top spot for concerts of all descriptions. From hip-hop to heavy metal, singer- songwriters to reggae, the program can be quite eclectic.
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