Top Rated Attracties in Lausanne

Lucens Castle is a beautiful and grand historic structure, located on a hill top and over looking the countryside town of Lucens. Built around the 16th Century, the castle served a residential place for kings and nobility, a fortress, a girls institution before being sold to a private party. Today, it functions as a luxury event venue with weddings, dinners, parties, meetings and conferences regularly hosted here. 10 rooms for accommodation are available as well.

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.

An almost 900-year-old castle, symbolic of the rich heritage of Oron and a major part of the development of the village, Oron Castle was built in the 13th Century. A magnificent facade dominates the structure while the interior are equally enchanting. Part of the Castle was converted into a library and today holds more than 20,000 books published in French between 1775 and 1825; this being the world’s most important private collection of that period. The ground floor is open to be rented by the public to host events or weddings. It comprises of four rooms with fine furnishings, large fireplaces as well as two courtyards.

A site of regional and national pride, this formidable defensive fortification sits along the picturesque Lake Geneva. Built in the year 1286 on the orders of Baron Louis I of Vaud, this castle was constructed as a traditional Savoyard Carré, essentially a thick fortress with four conical towers enveloping a plaza. Through the years, several of the castle's features were altered, especially during the Bernese conquest of Vaud, when the castle's gates were destroyed. After years of instability, the castle was converted into a site housing four regional museums, the most prominent of which is the Vaud Military Museum.

Ouchy is a great place to relax with the whole family. Paddle by the water fountains, watch the boats leave the harbor or read a book along the shaded quays. There are daily trips across the lake by boat to Evian in France and a worthwhile visit can be made to the Olympic Museum, where you can wander around the gardens free of charge. The beautiful views of Lake Geneva and the Chablais mountains make it a perfect place for a Sunday stroll, but better still if you're on skates.

One of the oldest and most serene chalets in Switzerland, the Grand Chalet dates back to the 18th Century but in 1852 it was turned into a classy hotel. It is one of the most popular landmarks in the village of Rossiniere and is situated on a small hill right above the center of Gstaad, offering an amazing view over the valley and the mountains. The architecture of the chalet is a testament to the ancient era of the village. The Grand Salon inside the building hosts popular exhibitions and concerts, showcasing the cultural heritage of the region.