Lausanne has a lot of interesting influences. It reminded me a lot a French Lucerne; this side of Lake Geneva is much more grandiose than it is in Geneva.

Streets of Lausanne, Switzerland; October 2021

Wandering around Lausanne, Switzerland in October 2021

Lausanne has a lot of interesting influences. It reminded me a lot a French Lucerne; this side of Lake Geneva is much more grandiose than it is in Geneva.

Lac Leman in Lausanne, Switzerland; October 2021

It has the hills and colored buildings on both Lisboa and San Francisco, but the French food and similar scenery to the Swiss city of Lucerne.

Personally, I felt like Lausanne was like Geneva and Lucerne had a baby – and I’m not complaining about that. It’s definitely one of the prettier Swiss cities, with both beautiful architecture and stunning Swiss mountains to marvel in.

Is Lausanne Worth Visiting?

Yes, in my opinion – Lausanne is one of the most charming and relaxing cities to visit in Switzerland – and perfect for tourists who love a French-vibe and want something different from Geneva, Zurich, or the Swiss Alps.

Wondering what to do on your trip to Lausanne?

Here’s what I recommend for a short trip to Lausanne!

What To Do on a Short Trip to Lausanne

1. Marvel in Lac Leman

View of Lac Leman in Lausanne; October 2021

After my 4-hour train ride down from Paris, I was ready for a Spain-like-la-siesta. I plopped on a bench near the Promenade that hugs lake Leman, and just enjoyed the view.

Chilling by Lac Leman in Lausanne; October 2021

Writing in Lac Leman in Lausanne; October 2021

2. Stroll Along the Promenade

View of Lac Leman in Lausanne from the Promenade; October 2021

This reminded me a bunch of Hudson River Pier Park and the way it was set up… except… it’s Switzerland.

Is the Promenade Near Vieux Port d’Ouchy in Lausanne Worth Walking?

Yes, the promenade near Vieux port d’Ouchy in Lausanne is absolutely stunning. In addition, there are many nearby crepeire and French inspired places to eat. As a newly found Parisian, I can say that the boulangeries smell almost as good as they do in Paris!

3. Walk through the Old Town Lausanne

Wandering around Old Town in Lausanne; October 2021

Like I said, Lausanne has a lot of interesting influences. It’s the only city I’ve ever been to that emanated the Parisian rooftops!

Lausanne’s little downtown is covered in charm. It’s a really nice break from a big city vibe, and has a lot of both chain and cute independent stores to peruse.

4. Take the Mini Metro

This was the only Swiss city I have ever been to that had an actual light-rail system. It’s so cute. It’s the tiniest metro I’ve ever seen, and because of that – it’s extremely easy to work.

You have to ride it just to feel the trop mignot local Lausanne feel!

Public Transportation ticket in Lausanne; October 2021

5. Go into Coop

I say this in every Switzerland post. But if you’re vegan/vegetarian – no trip to Switzerland is complete without buying some coop bran goodies to take home!

I was ecstatic to find my favorite vegan chocolate bars after two and a half years away!

Vegan food in Coop in Lausanne; October 2021

6. Enjoy the Sunset

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never come to Switzerland to do things, or to spend money. I go to see, to feel, to smell, to reconnect with yourself…

building with swiss flag on top — Exploring Lausanne; October 2021

… Lausanne has so many great places to watch the sunset over the omniscient mountains and glass-like-lake… my spot just happened to be the balcony of my hotel room.

Balcony view from a hotel in Lausanne; October 2021

Looking for more things to do in Switzerland? I’ve seen the entire country!

Click here to read what I recommend most.

Want to see my trip to Lausanne in action? Check out my travel vlog below!

Looking for more information on Switzerland as you plan your trip to this beautiful country?

Click here to discover more, as I have several articles like this to help you plan the perfect trip to Zermatt and the rest of Switzerland.

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About the Author

Hi, I'm Stephanie Safdie, a travel writer and content creator based in Paris. Since living here, I've spent years exploring the city and regularly update my Paris travel guides with firsthand experience while also exploring destinations across Europe and beyond as a solo female traveler. I've been solo traveling for the past decade, having visited more than 70 cities and nearly 30 countries before turning 30.

Before moving abroad, I grew up moving all around the United States, having lived in New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Tampa – which sparked my desire to discover and experience new places and cultures from a young age.

As a true writer at heart passionate about being open-minded, adventurous, and diaristic – it's my goal to share honest, practical travel advice, local insights, detailed itineraries, and real-life experiences that go beyond typical tourist recommendations. With over 200 guides published on Destination Dreamer Diaries, I’m here help you plan the most memorable trip of a lifetime with confidence.

When I'm not traveling or working professionally in content creation, you'll find me doing just about anything creative: writing, practicing my photography skills (the large majority of photos featured on this blog were taken during my own travels), playing my music at open mic nights, editing videos for my YouTube channel, cooking, or creating travel content.

Last updated: June 22, 2025

6 Things To Do in Lausanne