Lausanne is a dynamic university town and is situated directly on Lake Geneva, giving it the feeling of a holiday resort. The capital of the canton of Vaud is also home to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and 55 international sports federations. The focus here is on sport and culture.

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Cathia Schaer and Ludovic Séchaud like to start their day with breakfast on the lake shore. The two triathletes fortify themselves with fruit, croissants and coffee – and above all with the view of the wide blue yonder. This is where their day’s training begins.

Cathia Schaer is a member of the Swiss national triathlon team. In 2020 she managed to reach the final of the world triathlon championships in Edmonton, Canada. She started swimming at the age of nine, and running and cycling followed soon after. “I’ve always liked to compete with others,” she says. 

Ludovic Séchaud is a longstanding member of Lausanne Swimming Club and is part of the Swiss national triathlon squad. He studies sports science at the University of Lausanne. This summer he trained continuously for eleven weeks. “I love the lake because I can swim continuously for longer distances at once than in the pool,” he explains. 

The diversity of what Lausanne has to offer attracts sports enthusiasts from all over the world. The city is home to two important sporting events: the “Athletissima” international athletics meeting and the “Lausanne Marathon”. There is also a lively old town with authentic shops, local restaurants and an impressive early Gothic cathedral. “Monocle” magazine awarded Lausanne the title of “Best Small Town in the World”. The “Lausanne City Pass” for one, two or three days is a great way to explore the city’s highlights in a convenient and economical way. 

“The Great Escape” is one of the most popular bars in Lausanne. Business people, students, hipsters and expats all enjoy tasty salads and burgers here during the week. On weekends, “The Great Escape” is a popular meeting place where people can share a glass of wine from the Vaud vineyards after shopping. For sports enthusiasts, the most important football and rugby matches are also shown live.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has had its headquarters in Lausanne for over 100 years. The Olympic Museum is a great place for sports fans to find out about the origins of the Olympic Games, the competitions and the Olympic spirit. The games are chronicled by means of documents, films and a collection of valuable objects dating from ancient Greece right through to modern times. The museum is quite unique and the largest of its kind in the world.

The vineyards of the Lavaux region have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007. Popular red and white wines, including the world-famous Chasselas, have been produced here in the most beautiful location for hundreds of years. Lavaux is very popular with cyclists and is suitable for spectacular racing bike rides. The fantastic views of the lake and the Alps opposite from among the local vineyards are absolutely unrivalled. In addition, the tours take you through historic winegrowing villages such as Epesses and Riex, where wine lovers can sample the fine wines.