Running in Lausanne: the pearl of Lake Geneva
- audreyubertino
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
With its feet in Lake Geneva, beautiful Lausanne stands facing the Alps and its parade of majestic mountains. This exceptional panorama makes the Swiss city an ideal place for excursions into the heart of nature – a green setting that hides a dynamic and lively city, at the crossroads of the worlds of sport and culture!
Lausanne is the capital of the Canton of Vaud, located in the French-speaking part of western Switzerland: Suisse romande. A city on a human scale, it combines the liveliness of a university centre with the excitement of a business city.
The fourth largest city in Switzerland after Geneva, Zurich and Basel, it has the distinction of having been founded on three hills, connected by bridges. Since 1915, it has also been the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee and is renowned for its cultural dynamism, evident in its 25 museums.
A bit of history...
Created by melting ice, Lake Geneva has shaped a landscape of valleys, green hills and rivers. These nourishing waters have fostered the development of a rich and varied ecosystem. It was this fertile environment, conducive to cultivation, that enabled humans to settle in the region nearly 6,000 years ago and prosper there.
Until the middle of the 4th century, the inhabitants of the lake concentrated on its shores. The city, then under Roman control, held a strategic central position there. Before the Germanic invasions forced the population to take refuge in the neighbouring hills, which were easier to defend.
Today, the oldest buildings are located on the Cité hill. Many date back to medieval times, such as the famous Gothic-style Notre-Dame Cathedral and Saint-Maire Castle. It was during this period that Lausanne became a major pilgrimage site, forming part of the route to Rome known as the Via Francigena.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the construction of the Simplon Tunnel transformed the city into a railway hub. This was the period of the Industrial Revolution, which drastically changed the city's layout. Neighbourhoods located at the foot of the hills began to develop, such as the Ouchy district.
The must-sees
The old town of Lausanne is made up of three hills: La Cité, Le Bourg and Saint-Laurent, around which 17 neighbourhoods are spread out in a spiral pattern.
For a run in the centre, head to Place de la Palud, where you will find the town hall, an animated clock and a fountain adorned with a statue representing justice. As you pass through Rue du Bourg, admire the many luxury boutiques with signs topped by a metal Saint Francis. They will lead you to the square of the same name and its church.
During your walk, enjoy a run along the Quais d'Ouchy, the harbour district. As you stroll along the lake shore, you will see the magnificent Beaux-Rivage Palace.
For a night out, head to the Flon district, a former industrial wasteland that has been redeveloped into bars, shops, a cinema, bowling alley and other entertainment venues.
Lavaux, a landscape of terraced vineyards listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the perfect destination for a nature excursion just a stone's throw from the city!
Lausanne, Olympic Capital
Committed to promoting culture, Lausanne has numerous museums, including botanical museums, the Musée de l'Elysée dedicated to photography, and the Fondation de l'Hermitage. The most unique, however, is the Olympic Museum, a one-of-a-kind venue dedicated to the Olympic Games and their history.
In 1915, Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the Olympic Games, decided to establish the headquarters of his committee in Lausanne. At a time when the First World War was raging, the city was chosen as a symbol of peace and harmony. It is also home to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, more than forty international sports federations and the main institutions linked to the Olympic Movement. This distinction earned it the title of Olympic Capital, awarded in 1994.
The Vidy district is home to several sports venues, including the Olympic Stadium at La Pontaise and the IOC.
Finally, Lausanne hosts numerous sporting events and competitions such as Athletissima, the Ladies Open Lausanne and the Marathon. During the 20 km de Lausanne, a running race created in 1982, JOOKS invites you to discover the city at the pace of guides who are sometimes storytellers, sometimes comedians. 2, 4, 10 or 20 kilometres – the choice is yours!
Run, walk or cycle with JOOKS, from the Quais d'Ouchy to the Flon district!
Find all the routes in the city of Lausanne and more than 1,500 others on the JOOKS app.
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