Hotels in Lausanne

Lausanne: Olympic Capital on Lake Geneva

Lausanne sits on the northern shore of Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), rising steeply from the waterfront district of Ouchy to the medieval Cité hill 140 metres above. The city of roughly 140,000 is home to the International Olympic Committee, headquartered here since 1915, and the Olympic Museum in Ouchy draws over 250,000 visitors annually. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, consecrated in 1275, anchors the upper city and remains one of the finest Gothic structures in Switzerland.

Where to Stay

Hotels cluster in three distinct zones. Ouchy, the lakeside quarter, suits travellers arriving by boat or seeking Belle Époque grandeur. Flon, the converted-warehouse district 10 minutes uphill, attracts younger visitors for its galleries and nightlife. The Gare area around the central station offers mid-range options with direct rail connections: trains reach Geneva Airport in 33 minutes and Bern in 70 minutes on the SBB intercity network.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: The M2 metro — the steepest automatic metro in the world — links Ouchy to Flon and the station in under 8 minutes.
• When to visit: July brings the Lausanne Estivale open-air events; January sees far fewer crowds.
• Language: French is the official language; most hotel staff speak English.
• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF); credit cards accepted widely, but carry cash for markets.