Old town

The Lausanne History Museum (MHL), entirely refurbished in 2018, is the ideal place to discover the evolution of Lausanne and of its inhabitants’ lives. The famous model of the Cité in 1638 introduces “Lausanne, the Exhibition”, a themed itinerary that bears witness to Lausanne’s very rich economic, social and cultural history.

Of all the beautiful parks which make up the historical natural heritage of Lausanne, Mon-Repos is without a doubt the most extraordinary: exceptional for the diversity of its architectural elements (neo-Gothic tower, waterfall, neo-Classical temple, orangerie, aviaries etc.), and also for the richness of the documentation in our possession and for the harmony of the ensemble.

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.

Located on the far north end of the City hill, the Château Saint-Maire has been the seat of regional power since it was established. Lausanne’s bishops built it between around 1400 and 1430 as their new residence, choosing the site for its distance from the lower city and its turbulent bourgeoisie.

Standing against the façade of Château Saint-Maire is the statue of Major Davel, one of the heroes of local history.

Built in the middle of the 16th century, the Ancienne Académie housed Europe’s first college of Protestant and French theology, then the University between 1890 and 1987.

The Escaliers du Marché staircase, a direct and steep route that runs between Place de la Palud and the Cathedral, is one of the most picturesque sites in Lausanne. Its existence was first recorded back in the 13th century and its present-day appearance – a winding wooden stairway with a cover and a very steep cobbled street running alongside it – dates back to the years 1717 - 1719.