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Sainath, the walking man
The Walking Man is a manga by the renowned Jiro Taniguchi, an ode to idling that narrates the perambulations of a man in the streets of Tokyo, as he observes what is going on around him in a poetic way that is full of tenderness. It’s a work from which I try to draw inspiration during each of my walks, including the simplest ones. If you’re looking for me, I’m probably observing the world around me with humour and clearing my mind as I look for new addresses, on a terrace I’m trying out with friends or nurturing my mind at the cinema, in an exhibition or in one of the many cultural events that the town offers.
« For me, Lausanne is San Francisco on a human scale. A city that goes up and down and has so much to offer. So many good addresses, so many small hidden gems, so many stories and cultural events. There is something for everyone. Whether it’s by the lake, in a forest near a waterfall, on the top of a hill that overlooks the city or in its streets observing the different architectural styles, there’s always something to nurture body and mind in this town for he or she who takes the time to get lost in it. »
My recommendations
It’s the art of drinking coffee, beer or a delicious lemonade in the midst of works displayed on the walls and that change with the seasons. Drinks are served most graciously by Laure and Cybèle, the two manageresses, with whom it’s hard not to strike up a friendship as you go back time and again, and believe me, go back you will.
It’s a cinema that dates back to 1928, one of the last authentic ones still in activity. Fun fact: it’s actually the largest movie theatre in use in Switzerland. It’s art-deco interior is a true journey into the past. Today, it belongs to the Cinematheque that sometimes screens 35mm classics, as when they were launched. It’s therefore a real joy to rediscover films in those conditions. It’s undergoing a refurbishment now and I’m looking forward to its opening again.
It’s a restaurant-bar that’s located where the famous Café des Philosophes used to be, the frontage of which still adorns the building’s façade. The service offers an unusual menu that constantly changes and is always full of surprises. Cocktails are masterfully shaken and this establishment has the distinctive feature of offering a large selection of natural wines, just what it takes to feel good while discovering new flavours.
It’s a small, well-hidden hill where there are beautiful buildings and, especially, a gorgeous esplanade that looks down over the lake. It’s one of the most pleasant places in Lausanne to chill while admiring the landscape and the uniqueness of the Alps – special mention for the sunset that is something else. There is also a small vineyard that evokes the wine-growing past of this part of town, as well as the extent to which we’re in a really lovely place.