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.
Deep in the recesses of the Sauvabelin forest lies a modern, wood-built tower which affords a breathtaking view of the rolling Jura Mountains and glistening Lake Léman. Measuring 35 meters (115 feet), the distinctive tower takes its name from the surrounding forest. Although it serves a spectacular purpose, the structure itself is eye-catching, and its spiral staircase was inspired by the helical architecture found at the Chateau de Chambord in France. Fashioned out of Douglas firs sourced from local forests, this tower and its supporting institutions are greatly inclined towards sustainable development and environmental consciousness, and strive to radiate the same principles to visitors.
This lovely small street runs through part of central Lausanne, with Rue de La Paix on the east and Place Saint-François on the west. One of the city’s premier high-end shopping locations, the street is bustling with cafes, shops, alleyways, charming buildings, and cobblestones. It’s a pleasure to walk through and a nice place to rub elbows with locals. Many stores on this street, which is one of the oldest in the city, sell goods from international luxury brands.
Sauvabelin Forest is a suburban park where Lausanne locals have come for Sunday strolls and afternoon walks in a soothing natural setting for more than a century. Walks lead past the River Flon, the picturesque Bois de Sauvabelin, and the ruins of a former Swiss village. The true highlights of the forest are the Lac du Sauvabelin, an artificial lake built in the late 19th century, and the Sauvebelin Tower, an interesting wooden structure nine stories tall with beautiful views of the surrounding region. Visitors often take picnics on landscaped grounds, row boats on the lake in the warmer months, and take children to see Swiss-native farm animals. Legend has it that the late and great David Bowie owned a home on the forest grounds.
Throughout its history, Nyon Castle has been used for many purposes. Originally an administrative building in the House of Savoy, it has since been a courthouse, prison, and now a beautiful museum that offers visitors a little bit of everything from history to portraiture to a permanent exhibition of fine Swiss porcelain that was created in the municipality of Nyon between 1781 and 1813. Completely restored as of 2006, visitors can view the entire building floor-by-floor, beginning in the basement then working their way up, passing old prison cells, as well as wonderful art and architecture along the way.
The Payerne Priory is also called Payerne Abbey or Peterlingen Priory. It is located in Payerne, Vaud, Switzerland as a monastery of national significance. The Abbey is a combination of Roman and Gothic art and there is a chapel dedicated to St.Michel. There is a museum and regular concerts are held during the day. A restaurant serves the delicacy of the town the saucisson or sausage, cake with cream and ham.
Hidden in the verdant Areuse Gorge is Saut de Brot, a small bridge connecting walking trails on either side of the secluded canyon. Charming in its own right, the bridge is a modest stone structure made spectacular by its setting. Prolific growth surrounds the attraction, which hangs over the Areuse river, creating a spot so pretty it looks like the picture on a postcard. Saut de Brot is primarily enjoyed by hikers and nature enthusiasts who stumble across it while touring the lush Brot-Dessous area. Although the origins of the bridge remain unknown, its construction is speculated to be fairly recent.
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.
Built in 1818, Chateau de Syam is reminiscent of early neoclassical style of architecture and was built as a typical residential complex. With dense forests in the background and well maintained formal gardens in the front, the Chateau occupies an extremely picturesque location in the village of Syam. Over the years, the building was maintained by the village and today, it plays host to various events and wedding functions. With its sheltered porch and elevated entrance, it gives an impression of royalty.
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.
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.