Lausanne Cathedral
Overview
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Hint
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Intro
Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral in Lausanne's Old Town. The Gothic building from the 13th century impresses with its ornate stained glass windows, the painted portal and the view of Lake Geneva from the tower.
Lausanne Cathedral at a glance
Notre-Dame Cathedral is considered the most important Gothic building in Switzerland. In 1275, Pope Gregory X and King Rudolf of Habsburg consecrated the cathedral in a solemn ceremony. Among the highlights are the stained glass windows from the 13th century, the colourfully painted south portal and the large organ. The cathedral is located on the Way of St. James.
What to experience
Climb the tower and enjoy the view (20-30 minutes)
Climb up the spiral staircase to the cathedral's bell tower. From the platform, you can see the rooftops of Lausanne's old town, Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) and, on a clear day, the entire Alpine chain. There are 7 bells hanging in the tower, 5 of which are more than 300 years old.
- Good to know: Climbing the tower is free of charge for people up to 25 years of age.
- Tip: Come by in the evening and hear the night watchman who has been calling out the hours since 1405.
Visit the cathedral (30-45 minutes)
As you walk through the nave, you will see the colorful walls, the Gothic vaults and the richly decorated south portal from the 13th century. The large organ combines 98 stops and is considered one of the largest church organs in Europe. In the southern transept you will find the rose window, a masterpiece of Gothic glass art.
- Good to know: Windows and vaults will not be accessible until spring 2027 due to renovations.
- Tip: Combine the visit with a walk through the old town (la Cité).
General information
| Season |
All year
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|---|---|
| Accessibility |
Partially accessible
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Discover the surroundings
Address
Cathédrale de Lausanne
Pl.de la Cathédrale 13
1005
Lausanne
Switzerland
Phone
+41 (0)21 316 71 61
Mobile phone
+41 (0)78 609 86 78
Fax +41 (0)21 316 71 60
info@lausanne-tourisme.ch
lausanne-tourisme.ch
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