Holding a place of pride in the heart of Lausanne's Old Town, this imposing Gothic cathedral soars over a sea of red-roofed buildings. Although the original master mason is undocumented, construction efforts can be traced back to the 12th Century. The structure was completed roughly a century later in 1275 under an engineer named Jean Cotereel. It was ordained by three important figures - Pope Gregory X, Rudolph of Habsburg, and Guillaume of Champvent, the then bishop of Lausanne. Its belfry a home to seven sonorant bells, the Lausanne Cathedral's other noteworthy features include an exceptional pipe organ and a stained glass window considered to be one of Europe's finest. Those in the city will also hear a town crier announcing the hours every night between 10p and 2a from the bell tower, as has been tradition since the Middle Ages. An architectural wonder par excellence, this historic cathedral comes alive with a repertoire of concerts and a bevy of cultural events.
La Maison d'Ailleurs ("House of Elsewhere") is a unique museum entirely dedicated to science fiction, utopia and extraordinary journeys. Enter the twilight zone to discover future worlds and new horizons as they were depicted by writers, artists or movie directors. Several exhibitions have been organized on various topics like utopias, space travel, extra terrestrial life forms and cities of the future. This fascinating museum was opened thanks to Pierre Versins, an archivist of science fiction who donated his impressive collection to the city of Yverdon-Les-Bains. The city then created this remarkable establishment, which opened its doors in 1976. Housed in a prison built in 1806, visitors to the museum can browse through a collection of over 70,000 items related to science fiction, including an extensive collection focusing on the great science fiction writer Jules Verne.
The Musée Historique de Vevey is a thoughtfully planned museum that boasts of documents, archeologicals finds and archived materials related to this quaint little town of Vevey. The museum dates back to the late 19th Century, and since then has lured visitors from all across the world with its splendid collection. One will find, manuscripts, paintings, sculptures and various other items that trace the way of life, customs and traditions of the bygone era. To know more about the Musée Historique de Vevey, do visit their website.
Chateau de Beaulieu is a heritage building that was built in the 18th Century, and once served as a residence for scholar and historian, Madame de Staël. The initial part of the building was designed by Lausanne architect Rodolphe de Crousaz in a neo-classical style with a single facade building. However, the site went through major changes once it was acquired by pastor Gabriel-Jean-Henry Mingard in 1766. Today, the regal castle comprises a three-part facade measuring 50 meters (164 feet) and is home to the exhibit known as Collection de l'Art Brut (Collection of Naive Art), by Jean Dubuffet. Standing under a picturesque sloping roof, this country estate is adorned with charming décor, and is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Inaugurated on 22nd February 2010, the Rolex Learning Center is a landmark structure in Lausanne designed by the critically acclaimed Japanese firm SANAA, headed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa. This architectural marvel consists of a huge multimedia library, an 860-seater workstation for students, a state-of-the-art research laboratory, the center for digital education (CEDE), a multifunctional conference hall, a food court and a restaurant. The Rolex Learning Centre is truly a 21st-century scientific hub where students can showcase and hone their skills in the most effective and expressive ways possible.
Located in the canton of Vaud, Lac Brenet is a beautiful lake in Switzerland. The lake is currently put into use by a hydroelectric plant where it is used as a reservoir. The lake freezes in the winters and the snow surface is fascinating to look at. There are various trails leading to the lake. It is a good place to visit for a day trip.