In the summer, Lausanne holds many outdoor festivals, street performances, and street parties, and the pedestrian-only shopping areas are excellent.

Lausanne has more to offer young people than most Swiss cities: nightlife, bars, bistros, discos...16 museums and collections stage more than 50exhibitions a year, from dinosaurs to contemporary art.

Each month, more than 100 stage and opera productions, concerts and variety shows fill theaters and auditoriums across the city. Musée de l'Art Brut has an unusual but fascinating exhibit of art by untrained artists including imprisoned criminals, mental patients, and eccentrics.

There are many wonderful excursions and tours of the Lake Geneva area, by boat, train and cable car. Ride up to the surrounding peaks of the Alps where revolving restaurants have spectacular vistas.

Take a boat to the charming medieval stone town of Gruyère, famous for its cheese, or the resort of Montreux on the lake, nicknamed the "Swiss Riviera" because of its warm climate with palm trees and other tropical vegetation along the lake and in the parks.

Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture and customs. Below are some of our recommended highlights. Some tours and packages can be organized when booking your program, please see the program price page for more information.

city tour
Lausanne rises on stepped terraces from the Lac Léman riviera district known as Ouchy up to the medieval Cité high up on the hillside. Ouchy's long lakefront promenade is broken up by marinas that serve as home to a fleet of excursion boats and terrific, state-operated lake steamers. The famed resort of Évian, for example, is only a half-hour away by boat. The easiest way to get to le Cité from Ouchy is via the métro, about a six-minute ride to the city's hub, Place St. François.

the protestant notre dame cathedral
The Cathedral, which dominates the oldest quarters of Lausanne, is a soaring, early Gothic masterpiece consecrated by Pope Gregory X in 1275. The 13th-century rose window in the south transept aims at no smaller a task than representing the entire universe.

franciscan church
The formerly Franciscan church in the middle of the square dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and it's worth visiting to see the brilliant 1907 stained glass windows in the choir.

grand-pont
On the northwest corner of the square, you can walk up the Grand-Pont, a 19th century arched viaduct that provides stellar views of the old medieval district and the cathedral.

pully, east of ouchy
Take time to visit the suburb of Pully, east of Ouchy, to see the excavations of a third-century Roman villa and the striking Musée d'Art Contemporain, which showcases about 600 works by Italian, German, and American artists.

château vidy
The Château Vidy, is the home of the International Olympic Committee and includes the. Musée Olympique, showcasing the history of the Olympic Games and highlights from particular events and athletes.)

roman ruins of lausanne
The Roman ruins of Lausanne (known then as Lousanna) and the medieval section of town, complete with a c.1275 cathedral, is known to be one of the most importantexamples of Gothic architecture in Europe.

ouchy
Ouchy is in the limits of Lausanne but a separate town. Once a bustling shipping harbor, the village is now a center for watersports. At least during the daytime. At night, the streets and lakeshore are alive with nightclubs, dance clubs, restaurants, and other tamer yet exciting convivial gathering spots.

béjart ballet of lausanne
Check for performances of the world-famous Béjart Ballet of Lausanne. The electrifying performances are renowned the world over and include dazzling moves, costumes, and sets.

food and wine
Lausanne is home to some of Switzerland's best restaurants—16 of them are listed in official guides on lists of the country's finest. Lake fish, such as trout and perch, are always fresh and especially popular in the fall. Le Chateau d'Ouchy is situated in a medieval castle and serves traditional cuisine including Swiss and Vaud specialties. In the center of Lausanne are several excellent fondue restaurants.