Squares, promenades and esplanades

This site is one of the most beautiful balconies from which to view the lake.
Here you will find a statue depicting a legendary Helvetian hero equipped with his crossbow: Guillaume Tell. In this ancient city centre square, just a stone's throw from the Church of St. Francis, Montbenon Esplanade offers you an extraordinary range of environments along a stretch of entirely flat ground covering more than half a kilometre, a novelty in Lausanne!

Built in 1901, the lakeside walk links the old port (1793) and the Haldimand Tower (1823), previously located on an island - an oddity it shared with the Château d’Ouchy (12th century).

With its long central avenue lined with double rows of linden trees, its flowered banks, its ponds full of dancing water lilies and the benches from which to admire the views, Bois-de-Vaux is one of the rare cemeteries of its size (26,000 spaces) to have such charm.

A peaceful interlude just 30 seconds from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and a unique view of the cathedral from below. Welcome to the centuries-old Place de la Madeleine.

An unusual union between a head of the armed forces and a delicate rose garden. Rest assured that there is nothing warlike about this spot - quite the contrary. In fact, it offers a welcome opportunity to beat a retreat if the pace of life on the quays is too frenetic.

It may not be big, but it certainly requires plenty of work! A true showcase of the skills of Lausanne's gardeners, the Promenade Derrière-Bourg is also a very popular spot - on fine days it's impossible to find a free seat at lunchtimes.

It was the construction of the m2 metro that gave rise to this exceptional green space, which traces the route of the underground line. The Promenade de la Ficelle (String Walk), also known as Coulée verte (Green Course), is a unique link between the station and the lake.

This large concourse, separated from the road by a basin marking the former lakeshore, was constructed in 1995. Where once industry and commerce reigned is now a place of leisure.