Lausanne, the second-largest city on Lake Geneva, combines a dynamic commercial town with the locality of a holiday resort. The capital of the canton of Vaud is also a lively university and convention town. Sports and culture are given a high profile in the Olympic capital.

The setting of Lausanne is extremely picturesque. The International Olympic Committee has been based here since 1914. The town is built on three hills, surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes, with Lake Geneva at its feet. Rising impressively from the opposing French lakeshore are the Savoy Alps. The attractive old town is largely car-free. Small alleyways with cafes and boutiques shape the streetscape in the medieval city centre. The Old Town is dominated by the cathedral, which is regarded as Switzerland’s most impressive piece of early Gothic architecture.

In addition to its outstanding setting and historic sites, Lausanne offers excellent shopping opportunities, multi-cultural shows and exhibitions that are organised throughout the year. One of the very best aspects of spending time in Lausanne is sampling the excellent cuisine that is available there, which unsurprisingly often blends French touches by using Swiss produces.

Even lovers of culture won’t feel short changed in Lausanne: the collection of marginal art (“Art Brut”) in Beaulieu Castle, the Fondation de l'Hermitage, the «Musée de l'Elysée» photo museum, and many others merit a visit. The offering of theatre productions and musical performances too is of superior quality.