Sustainable development

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This is a quarter full of typical small bistros and craft shops. To the north of the Cité hill, at Place du Tunnel, avenue César-Roux avenue and Place de l’Ours, shops and quirky bistros cry out to be discovered. It is around the Cité hill, sculpted by the Flon and Louve rivers, that the mediaeval town grew. Its cobble-stoned pedestrian streets as well as its monuments, the Cathedral of Lausanne, the St-Maire Castle and the Old academy, bear witness to that.

ArchitectureHistoryHeritage

At the heart of the old town, the majestic Lausanne Cathedral overlooks the city. Seen as one of the most beautiful gothic art monuments in Europe, it attracts more than 400,000 visitors every year.

HeritageShopping

In the centre of the square is the town’s oldest fountain, adorned with a statue representing justice. Close by, a clock presents the history of Vaud in animated scenes every hour from 9:00 to 19:00. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings this is the site of the country market, which also sets up shop in the neighbouring pedestrian streets. Every first Friday of the month, it plays host to a craft market. Typical cafes, boutiques and large, elegant shops complement what this high-class district, which is completely pedestrianised, has to offer.

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The City of Lausanne has set up numerous programmes to achieve its objectives in matters of sustainable development. Some encourage the conscientious exploitation and affordable distribution of water, others a form of tourism that respects the environment, diversity in modes of transport, the construction of sustainable housing or indeed the promotion of physical activity in an urban setting.

The involvement of Lausanne and the efforts made in recent years in the matter of a sustainable energy policy have earned it international recognition. It is the first European city to have received the European Energy Award Gold. Entirely in keeping with its pioneering status, the City is sharing its experience with other public bodies within the framework of the International Federation of Green Regions Association (IFGRA), of which it is the host and instigator.