 The French-speaking holiday haven of Lausanne is a charming Swiss retreat that makes for a relaxed and scenic vacation spot. Nestled on the banks of Lake Geneva within close proximity of the country’s capital, this compact city’s geography ensures visitors can entertain themselves both in the mountains and on the water. Add to this the nearby wine-growing countryside and you have an unbeatable combination.
 With a history spanning from Roman times, Lausanne has some significant architectural wonders, particularly in the Old Town, including the stunning Lausanne Cathedral which has in its time attracted historical figures such as Pope Gregory X. Despite suffering from plague and fire in the Middle Ages, Lausanne rose to prominence with the opening of its first university in 1540.
 Still an intellectual centre today, the city attracts an international mix of students and professionals. The pleasant weather only gets cold during the brief winter spell, while warm and sunny days are the norm ensuring plenty of outdoor activities including swimming and ice skating as well as skiing in the nearby mountains. Year-round events also attract visitors, with film and music festivals having a huge following as well as sporting events.
 Many people come to Lausanne for its museums, of which there are more than 20 to choose from ranging from history to art and horticulture to geology. Among the most notable are the Olympic Museum and the Hermitage Foundation. As the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee, it is no surprise that sporting facilities here are very good with locals practicing everything from baseball and table tennis to football and hockey.
 Getting around in Lausanne is made easy with local buses and metro trains providing swift and inexpensive transportation around the city. The A1 motorway allows for easy access from Geneva and destinations in France and Italy, while regular train services between the city and the capital make accessing Lausanne from neighbouring countries by rail straightforward.
 Residents of Lausanne are welcoming to tourists and the multicultural nature of the city means foreigners rarely stand out here. The tourist and transport infrastructure run smoothly and punctually in keeping with the Swiss character as internationally acclaimed clock makers.
History
 The history of Lausanne dates back to Celtic times, with a Roman settlement known as Lousanna having been established on the ancient Celtic site. Eventually the site of the town moved from the nearby lake, now the site of Vidy and Ouchy, to its current site on a hill, making the settlement easier to defend from attack.
 The collapse of Roman rule saw the transfer of the town to the Bishop of Lausanne and the Dukes of Savoy. Under their control, the building of Lausanne Cathedral in 1275 took place, a significant event. Its consecration was attended by important figures such as Pope Gregory X and Emperor Rudolf of Habsburg which in turn led to the town becoming an important place of pilgrimage.
 Power transferred to Berne in 1536, after the city was ravaged by fire and plague in the preceding century. Under Berne’s rule, many items of cultural importance were moved from Lausanne, many of which have still not been recovered to this day. The establishment of the city’s first university in 1540 helped to attract intellectuals throughout the city’s status as a subject of Bernese rule.
 Berne’s ruled over Lausanne collapsed with the ensuing Napoleonic Wars at the turn of the 19th century and the city took the role as the capital of Vaudois, a new canton under the Swiss Federation. The developing capital became a popular stop off for those touring Europe. A reputation of having attracted the likes of Mozart, Voltaire and Goethe helped to make Lausanne a fashionable destination among the wealthy.
 As an arts and culture capital, the city continued to attract tourists, artists and academics, with its institutions and academies becoming increasingly popular. Lausanne’s prestigious reputation was enhanced further when it was chosen as the headquarters for the International Olympic Committee in 1915.
 Modern history has seen the city inhabited by immigrants from other European countries such as Italy, Portugal and Spain, giving it an international and cosmopolitan flavour. The once-sleepy character of Lausanne has transformed a lot over the years yet this lively city continues to be overshadowed by its bigger neighbour, Geneva.
Weather
Elevated on a plateau, Lausanne is often a little cooler than its neighbour Ouchy, which sits on the shore of Lake Geneva.
 Temperate for most of the year, summers here are pleasantly warm and sunny, with the city sometimes suffering from humidity in the hotter months. Short-lived rain showers occur throughout the year so even in summer, it is important to pack an umbrella.
 January, February and May are the driest months of the year, and see sunny days interspersed with cool weather. Winter days are frequently overcast with clouds and fog, and temperatures can drop to as low as -5°C. Despite the low temperatures in winter, sightseeing is still feasible as long as you wrap up warm.
 The warmest time to visit is in the summer, with peak temperatures experienced in July and August, often reaching 25°C. However, Lausanne is a year-round destination with no time being a bad time to visit.
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