MySwissAlps.com includes 
Min. time required: 1:00
Season: all year
Recommended season: all year
Max. altitude: 534 m (1752 ft)About this Lausanne city walk 
This walk allows you to get to know Lausanne in just an hour. You'll enjoy an easy 2.7 km route. It first gets you from the station to the hilly town center. Then you'll pass the St-François church to reach the luxurious shopping street Rue De Bourg.
Next, you'll walk over to the medieval Notre Dame Cathedral and the l'Ancien Régime (Old Academy), dating back to 1587. Before walking back to the train station, you can admire the Renaissance-style Palais de Rumine.
Tip: if you have time left, take the metro from Flon or the train station down to Ouchy and have a stroll along the lake.
➤ What it costs
The walk: free
This Lausanne hiking tour is completely free.
The train ride to Lausanne
If you have to travel to Lausanne first, you can best do so by train. My hiking suggestion starts and ends at the rail station.
You can buy normal full-fare train tickets, but maybe you'll be using a rail pass that allows free or discounted travel to Lausanne and within the city.
City hike directions and map
How to reach Lausanne
Lausanne can be easily reached by train. This walking tour starts at the main train station. Find more details about traveling to and in Lausanne here.
Walking route directions
You can best check the map for details, but here's a description as well:
- Leave the station and cross the street into the Rue du Petit-Chêne.
- Walk uphill until you reach the Place Saint-François. Cross the street to the square. Walk along the left side of the church. The street gently bends right into the Rue du Bourg.
- Turn left into the Rue Cheneau-de-Bourg, cross the street and walk up the stairs to the Rue Pierre-Viret.
- Pass the cathedral on your right and continue to the l'Ancien Régime (Old Academy).
- Walk back to the viewing point next to the cathedral, and take the stairs down to the Rue Pierre-Viret. Cross the street and take the "market stairs" down (Escaliers du Marché).
- At the Place de la Palud, turn right. Turn right again into the Rue Madeleine until you reach the Palais de Rumine.
- Continue to the Place Marc-Louis-Arlaud. Turn left to get back to the Place de la Palud.
- Walk down into the Rue du Pont, turn right into the Rue Centrale, then left uphill into the Rue Pépinet.
- Cross the street into the Rue du Petit-Chêne and walk back down to the train station.
Best months for a Lausanne walk
I think this Lausanne route is suitable for any season. November to early March is slightly less attractive: the city surroundings are less vibrant than during spring, summer, and early autumn.
The Lake Geneva area can warm up quickly in summer months, especially in July and August. A city hike may not be your preferred activity on a hot day. If so, you can plan this walk for the morning or late afternoon, and maybe combine it with a refreshing boat ride on Lake Geneva.
Weather and forecast
How to dress
No specific gear is required for this town walk. Just wear comfortable shoes and dress according to the forecasts.
Best weather for this hike
This route is suitable for (nearly) dry weather. Continuous rain won't do justice to the pretty historical sites in Lausanne. Some drizzle or a few showers are no problem though: you can easily find shelter in a shop, restaurant or cafe.
➤ Find more reliable Lausanne tours
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