When the Jazz Festival needs a pause, Lausanne is the ideal escape along the lake — just 30 minutes west along the northern shore of Lac Léman, Switzerland's Olympic city rewards a full day of exploration. A Gothic cathedral of exceptional quality, the world's only Olympic Museum, a steep medieval quarter above the lake, and one of the finest collections of Art Brut anywhere combine to make Lausanne one of the most culturally substantial cities in Switzerland.
Your driver takes you along the lake from Montreux directly into Lausanne and returns you in time for the evening program — a completely effortless connection between two of the lake's great destinations.
Switzerland's Olympic city delivers a Gothic cathedral of the first order, world-class museums and one of the most culturally substantial old towns on the lake.
What to see
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Lausanne — the finest Gothic cathedral in Switzerland
The Olympic Museum on the lakefront is the world's most comprehensive collection of Olympic history
The Collection de l'Art Brut — an internationally significant collection of work by self-taught, outsider, and visionary artists assembled by Jean Dubuffet
The medieval cité — the steep historic quarter around the cathedral, with its covered wooden market stairs
What to eat
Papet vaudois — leeks and potatoes braised together and served with saucisse au chou (cabbage sausage), the signature dish of the Canton de Vaud
Take note
Comfortable footwear is advisable for the old town streets. 
The Art Brut collection is closed on Mondays — verify opening days before including it in the day's plan.
Lausanne strikes a unique balance between cultural depth and natural beauty. Unlike Zurich's banking focus or Geneva's international diplomacy, Lausanne offers a more relaxed, artistic atmosphere with a strong intellectual heritage from its university and the Olympic movement. The combination of Gothic architecture, lakefront views, and museums of international caliber make it one of Switzerland's most rewarding cultural destinations.
Lausanne sits about 17 miles (27 km) west of Montreux along the northern shore of Lac Leman, with the private transfer taking roughly 30 minutes. The scenic ride follows the lake the entire way, passing the vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before delivering travelers directly into Switzerland's Olympic city.
Yes, the Olympic Museum is one of the most thoughtfully designed sports museums in the world. It traces the history of the Olympic movement from ancient Greece to the modern era through immersive displays, original artifacts, and interactive exhibits. The lakefront setting, with sculptures and gardens, makes it a rewarding stop even for travelers with limited interest in sports.
Yes, the Collection de l'Art Brut is closed on Mondays, so verify opening days before including it in your plan. Comfortable footwear is essential for the steep cobblestone streets of the medieval old town. Most major museums close for at least one day a week, so checking the schedule in advance helps maximize your time at the destination.
Visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Lausanne, the finest Gothic cathedral in Switzerland, and the Olympic Museum, the world's most comprehensive collection of Olympic history. The Collection de l'Art Brut showcases internationally significant outsider art, while the medieval site around the cathedral features the iconic covered wooden market stairs descending toward the lake.
Lausanne is Switzerland's Olympic capital, home to the International Olympic Committee and the world's only Olympic Museum on the lakefront. The city is also celebrated for its Gothic cathedral, considered one of the finest in Switzerland, a steep medieval old town above the lake, and one of the world's most significant collections of Art Brut, assembled by the painter Jean Dubuffet.
Try papet vaudois, the signature dish of the Canton de Vaud. It consists of leeks and potatoes braised together and served with saucisse au chou, a smoky cabbage sausage. The dish is hearty and rooted in local farming traditions. Pair it with a glass of Chasselas, the white wine grown on the terraced vineyards of nearby Lavaux.
Lausanne is enjoyable year-round, but warm summer months from June through August are ideal for lakefront strolls and outdoor cafes. Spring brings blooming gardens and pleasant temperatures for walking the medieval old town. Fall is excellent for wine country tours, while winter offers quieter museums and the chance to escape to nearby ski regions in the Alps.
Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! You’re free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning you’ll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.