Top Rated Shopping in Lausanne

At Heidi's Shop, you will find everything even remotely connected to Switzerland, things that you may not even know were connected to Switzerland! One can be slightly overwhelmed by the sheer variety of cuckoo clocks and cows that line the walls from floor to ceiling. However, if you can see through the more tacky items you can find some genuine Swiss gems that stand alongside the traditional tourist presents, such as the 4.5kg Toblerone bar and pen knives with 50 "useful" blades.

Ochsner Sport is a chain of sports shops found all around Switzerland. This particular shop is located in the center of Lausanne and has a large selection of skateboards, roller blades, snowboards, tennis rackets, bicycles and more. Most brand names are stocked (K2, Burton, Rossignol, Head and Atomic) and if your desired product is by chance not available, they will order it for you. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, whereas the prices are reasonable. For further information, please check the website.

Olivier Francois Ausoni has clothing for men, women and children, all of the highest quality. Names such as Tod’s, Céline, Giorgio Armani and Burberry line the shelves of this airy and spacious store. One of the shops caters for the older generations and a little further down the same street you will find clothes for younger people. There really is everything; sequined trousers, swim wear, accessories and shoes. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is cool and calm. A very pleasant place to shop, if you can afford it! Plus, if something doesn't quite fit at first, there is an alteration service to make sure that it will.

Although it may not not look like much, but Place Saint François is the hub of Lausanne. The hippest of cafés here is the Café Romand. You can also the grand Saint François Church. Many street entertainers perform here and students hang out. Every city has one place where everyone inevitably winds up passing through, and this is the one in Lausanne. You will walk through the square on your way to trendy rue de Bourg, Place de la Palud, Place Riponne and all its museums. Good place to be seen.

Lausanne sometimes seems over-run with department stores, but this one is a bit more upmarket than the rest. Like Globus, the building itself is not particularly appealing, but once you enter, though, you feel right at home. While not as extravagant as Harrods or Harvey Nichols, you still feel like you have walked into someone's flat. The store's elegance is subtle and understated yet there are enough enticing displays to remind you that you are there to shop. With designers such as Max Mara and Armani every age range is catered to. The BG Cafe is located on the third floor where customers love to relax after an evening of shopping.

Located on the Rue de Bourg, one of Lausanne's prime shopping streets, this is a very fine jewelery store. Having been recently renovated, this shop looks elegant and classy. It stores a large range of jewels and Swiss watches. The Bucherer name is renowned throughout the country and actually produces its own range, but such names as Cartier, Rolex, Piaget, Chopard, Baume & Mercier, Tag Heuer, Gucci and Rado can also be found here. One may also ask for catalogs of various brands, and then the shop will order the item for you personally. One might say that the staff is very welcoming and professional. This is a very classy shop, selling luxury items for both men and women. Check website for more details.