6 great things to do in Lausanne this summer

Lausanne is blessed with a mighty 350 hectares of parks and gardens, making it a seriously green city. As for what to do when you find yourself in some of those 350 hectares, consider taking a rowing boat out on Sauvabelin Park’s gentle waters, feel like a champion by navigating the vast Olympic Park, bike along Lake Geneva’s shore in Louis Bourget Park, admire the mighty and ancient trees of Denantou Park, or just simply relax in any park you choose, soaking up all that glorious green landscape.

Culture vultures and gallery-hoppers, this one’s for you. Plateforme 10 is Lausanne’s arts district, bringing together the Cantonal Fine Arts Museum, Photo Elysée and the Museum of Design and Contemporary Arts. As you might guess from that roster, it’s a cutting-edge affair, showcasing all manner of innovative work from both Swiss and global artists. Once you’ve had your fill of high-end culture, wind down at one of Plateforme 10’s restaurants, bookshops or even its boutiques if you’re in need of some retail therapy.

This fun activity has become wildly popular in recent years, and you’ll soon see why by heading to Lake Geneva and renting a board yourself. It’s much easier than it looks (meaning you’ll get the hang of it in no time) and is a surprisingly meditative experience once you get your balance and begin floating gently across the calm waters. The fact you’re surrounded by Lake Geneva’s beautiful scenery makes things feel a little more magical, too.

If paddleboarding still sounds a little too much like hard work, there are tons of other ways to enjoy Lake Geneva. Top of that list for many people is a scenic boat cruise. Simply hop on one of CGN’s many slick vessels at Lausanne-Ouchy and take your pick from over 40 ports around the lake, such as Chillon Castle or Lavaux’s vineyards. If you want to crank things up a notch and make your trip extra-special, try a gourmet cruise and add some fancy cuisine into the equation.

One of the most unique ways to explore Lausanne is via the annual Festival de la Cité, which takes place this year from July 5-10 in all manner of venues around the city, from courtyards to cathedrals to clubs. You can move freely between venues, enjoying the packed programme of music, dance, circus skills, performance and street art, discovering more and more of Lausanne as you do. As a rather fantastic bonus, every single event is free, providing yet another great reason to get yourself in festival mode.

Sometimes, all you really need to make your day is a sun-kissed terrace, where you can relax and do as little as possible. Luckily, Lausanne has some gems in this field. Enjoy premium views of Lake Geneva’s endless blue expanse from the show-stopping terrace at Le Deck (the upmarket restaurant of the Hotel Baron Tavernier in Chexbres), plant yourself amongst the buzzy atmosphere of popular local hotspot Jetée de la Compagnie (again with superb views of the lake) or marvel at the 360-degree panoramic views of Lausanne from Les Jardins de PAM, accompanied by one of the venue’s signature cocktails. Those are just three of the city’s many treasured terraces – there are plenty more waiting to be discovered on your visit.