Things to do in Lake Geneva Region
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Musée Olympique
This museum is surprisingly interesting given that its subject does not elicit universal interest. Housed in a lavish building in the Parc Olympique, atop a tiered landscaped garden, it tells the Olympic story from its inception under Pierre de Coubertin to the most recent competition. Videos, archival film (usually including footage of the most recent games), touch-screen computers and memorabilia (anything from the Olympic flame torches used since 1936 to a pair of sprinter Carl Lewis’ track shoes) all help bring this sporting saga to life.
reviewed
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Tour de l'Ale
The cylindrical Tour de l'Ale, tucked away at the end of Rue de la Tour, is the only surviving vestige of medieval Lausanne's defensive walls. It was built in 1340 at the extreme western point of the medieval suburb of Ale. That we can admire the tower at all is due to those townspeople who opposed demolition plans in 1903.
reviewed
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Le Vaudois
Classic local Swiss cuisine, concentrating on fondues and meat dishes like the nationwide fave, Zürich’s émincé de veau à la zurichoise (thin slices of veal prepared in a creamy mushroom sauce, Sfr32.50).
reviewed
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Café du Vieil Ouchy
A simple but charming location for fondue (Sfr23.50), rösti and other classics. Follow up with a meringue smothered in crème double de la Gruyère (double thick Gruyère cream).
reviewed
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Cathédrale de Notre Dame
The Gothic Cathédrale de Notre Dame, arguably the finest in Switzerland, stands proudly at the heart of the vieille ville. Raised in the 12th and 13th centuries on the site of earlier, humbler churches, it lacks the lightness of French Gothic buildings but is remarkable nonetheless. Pope Gregory X, in the presence of Rudolph of Habsburg (the Holy Roman Emperor) and an impressive following of European cardinals and bishops, consecrated the church in 1275.
reviewed
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Le Jardin Thaï
With palms spreading overhead, low lights and rapid service, this is one of the good Thai eateries in town. There’s a broad choice of rice, noodle, vegetarian, fish and meat options. The curry de crevettes vertes au lait de coco (green prawn curry in coconut milk) is good for those who don’t like it hot. This hotel restaurant has La Palmeraie (same details) as its bed mate, a good spot for Swiss cooking and mussels.
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Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts
Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts has many works by Swiss and foreign artists, ranging from Ancient Egypt to Cubism. The core of the collection is made up of works by landscape painter, Louis Ducros (1748–1810), and three other locals. The permanent collection is closed during the frequent temporary exhibitions. It is mooted that the collection will be moved to a new lakeside location in the coming years.
reviewed
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Place de la Palud
The name of medieval Place de la Palud suggests that this 9th-century market square was originally bogland. For five centuries it has been home to the city government, now housed in the 17th-century Hôtel de Ville. To get here from the cathedral, a covered timber stairway leads down to Rue Pierre Viret, from where two more stairways lead further downhill, one to the modern Pl de la Riponne and the other to Pl de la Palud.
reviewed
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Café Romand
A tatty sign leads you into an equally unpromising looking arcade. A few steps in and a push of the door takes you out of the 21st century and back to another era. The broad, somewhat sombre dining area littered with timber tables attracts everyone from bankers to punks for traditional food, ranging from fine fondue to cervelle au beurre noir (brains in black butter). The kitchen operates all day, rare for this town.
reviewed
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Musée National Suisse de l’Audiovisuel
Thousands of radios and TVs of all vintages are held in what is also known as the Musée National Suisse de l’Audiovisuel. Throwing more light on the history of radio and TV are audiovisual archives from around the world. The whole is housed in the former Grand Hôtel, a belle époque gem whose star room is the Salle Sissi, an art-nouveau marvel with lake views.
reviewed
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Palais de Rumine
The neo-Renaissance Palais de Rumine was built to lord it over Pl de la Riponne in 1904 and, aside from the parliament of the Vaud canton, is home to several museums. This is where the Treaty of Lausanne was signed in 1923, finalising the break-up of the Ottoman Empire after WWI. It contains the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts and a number of other museum collections.
reviewed
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MAD - Moulin à Danse
With five floors of entertainment, MAD really is a crazy sort of place. Music themes can range from anything to trance to tranquil. Just behind it on Rue de Genève is Zapoff Galleries, a slick designer bar run by the same people. Snappy dressing is required and people under 25 don’t get past the doorman – at least that’s the policy.
reviewed
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La Pomme de Pin
Search out this beacon of French cuisine in the web of alleys in the medieval old town. During WWII, Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin ate here. The place is divided into bistrot and gastro, the latter a fancy restaurant setting. Local fish is a permanent fixture on a menu that is otherwise largely determined by seasonal goods.
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Café Les Alliés
It doesn’t look like much on the outside but inside a cosy, warm restaurant with creaky timber floors winds out back towards a pleasant summer garden. At the front is the café. Some imaginative salads precede mains like steak de veau poêlé au jus d’abricots (pan-cooked steak in apricot sauce).
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Musée de Montreux
The Musée de Montreux recounts the history of the town and locality. Displays range from a handful of Roman finds and coins through to period furniture, bathtubs and street signs. The steep streets around the museum and further uphill are the core of the original Old Town of Montreux and merit a wander.
reviewed
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D-Club
D-Club is a heaving club where local and guest DJs spin funk to house, especially the latter, in all its latest sub-forms. Friday night is electro night and Saturday the place shakes to humping house. To get here take the stairs down from Rue du Grand Pont and turn right before descending all the way into Place Centrale.
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Walking Tour
Guided tours of the Vieille Ville, lasting one to two hours, leave from the front of the Hôtel de Ville twice a day in spring and summer. The tours are usually in French. From July to mid-September there are free guided visits of Cathédrale Notre Dame four times a day, Monday to Friday.
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Ichi-Ban
Check out the stylish and innovative Japanese eateries of Lausanne. Run by a George Clooney lookalike, this place offers especially good meat dishes (request how you want it cooked), fabulous sashimi and delicious futto maki (with seven ingredients mixed in, including avocado, shrimp and tuna).
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Lausanne Roule
You can ‘hire’ bicycles (which carry advertising) for free from Lausanne Roule under the arches of Grand Pont in the Flon area. The bikes are available from 7.30am to 9.30pm. You leave a Sfr20 refundable deposit and ID. If you bring it back late, you pay Sfr1 an hour.
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Le Pont de Brent
Set in a pretty country house, this is one of Switzerland’s top restaurants and has three Michelin stars (one of only two in the country). A changing and imaginative menu is complemented by a fine wine list. It’s northwest of Montreux in the hamlet of Brent, accessible by train.
reviewed
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Le Bleu Lézard
An oldie but a goodie, this corner bar-eatery with wooden tables and a chatty atmosphere remains a popular meeting place throughout the day and evening. If you feel like a dance, pop downstairs to its club-style section, Cave. This is also a good spot for Sunday brunch and they have wi-fi.
reviewed
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Sailing School
The sailing school at Ouchy offer courses on windsurfing, water-skiing and sailing, and equipment rental for these activities. You can also rent pedalos (Sfr20 per hour) and motorboats (Sfr45 to Sfr50 per hour) at stands in front of the Château d’Ouchy.
reviewed
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Pinte Besson
The city's oldest tavern has been serving up local wines to Lausannois punters since 1780. The place oozes the atmosphere of another age and makes no concessions to modern modishness. Squeeze in for a round of fondue and wine or just drop by for a couple of evening ales.
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Église de St François
Église de St François is a bit of a hybrid today but in the beginning it was part of a 13th-century Franciscan monastery. You can admire some restored frescoes inside. It is hard to imagine that the church and monastery once stood amid peaceful green fields!
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The Great Escape
Beneath the whopping beams that hold up the roof of what could be a country house is a noisy pub with plenty of beers and ales on tap. At times a sports bar (claiming the best burgers in town), it heaves with an eclectic crew of punters on Friday and Saturday nights.
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