Lausanne, spa town

An exceptional setting

There’s no doubt that bodies and minds in search of rest and serenity will find an easy-going lifestyle, Olympian calm and naturally rejuvenating landscapes in Lausanne. These include the largest lake in Western Europe, the grandiose Alps with their snow-capped peaks, and the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The lake and its virtues

Have you heard about the unsuspected benefits the sight of water has on our mental well-being? According to neuroscientists, spending time near a body of water – or even better, a lake – helps to combat anxiety, fatigue and stress. We’d be wrong to deprive ourselves!

And in winter, it’s not unusual to come across cold-water swimmers in Lake Geneva. No doubt because these valiant bathers know all too well the health benefits of ice baths! Not only do they promote recovery and relaxation, they also improve circulation and sleep quality, while boosting our immune system. So, are you won over or unswayed?

After all that, to forget about stress and take care of yourself on a daily basis, how about treating yourself to a unique yoga class on a deck facing the lake? In the summer months, the Jetée de la Compagnie is the place to be, with sessions on offer all day long, in all weathers and on a “pay what you want” basis!

Spas, at the heart of luxury

A word of warning to guests visiting Lausanne who wish to savour a moment of plenitude and unwinding: what could be more delightful than retreating for a few hours to the haven of a spa? In the heart of the city’s five-star hotels – of which there are three, the Beau-Rivage Palace, the Lausanne Palace and The Royal Sovoy –, these temples of well-being offer hammams, saunas, swimming pools, jacuzzis, gyms, beauty and relaxation areas, as well as aromatic massages, Japanese aroma and flower baths, rejuvenating beauty treatments and a tropical rain walk in the changing rooms… Plenty to envelop guests in a cocoon of luxury, calm and pleasure!

Not far… the baths

Switzerland has a long tradition of thermal baths. In the canton of Vaud, the most popular are the Lavey thermal baths at the foot of the Alps, which boast the hottest natural spring in Switzerland (between 33 and 36°C!). The resorts of Yverdon-les-Bains and Villars-sur-Ollon are also much sought-after. Couples and families go there to relax and enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools. Fabulous!