Lausanne Cathedral

The Cathedral of Notre Dame of Lausanne is an absolute masterpiece and the undeniable heart of the city. Visiting here was the highlight of my trip. From the moment you see it towering over the old town, you're struck by its majestic Gothic presence. The climb up the stairs is rewarded with an incredible view of the intricately carved façade and its famous rose window. Inside, it's even more breathtaking. The sheer height of the vaulted ceilings, the graceful columns, and the soft light filtering through the ancient stained-glass windows create an atmosphere of profound peace and awe. The sound of the organ filling the space is unforgettable. Don't miss: · The stunning 13th-century rose window (a true highlight). · Climbing up to the viewing terrace (paid entrance). The panoramic view of Lausanne's rooftops, Lake Geneva, and the distant Alps is worth every step and franc. · Learning about the unique night watch tradition, "Le Guet de Lausanne", where a watchman has called out the hours from the tower every night since 1405! Practical info: Entry to the main cathedral is free (donations welcome). The visit is informative and respectful. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, photography, or just a moment of tranquility, this cathedral has it all. A must-visit landmark that perfectly captures the spirit of Lausanne. Highly recommended!

Lausanne Cathedral is a stunning masterpiece of Gothic architecture with breathtaking views over the city and Lake Geneva. The interior’s stained glass and grand organ are awe-inspiring. Climb the tower for panoramic sights—it’s worth every step. A must-visit landmark rich in history and beauty.

Impressive cathedral with wonderful views of the town. A bit of a climb up steps if one takes the wrong route, but in any case well worth a visit. Large, quiet, peaceful, stained glass, statues, carvings, small and unobtrusive gift shop. Not overly commercial, and free to enter, as it should be but in some churches is not. Panoramic views of the town below.

A magnificent monument of European history and architecture, Lausanne Cathedral is not only a place of worship, but also a testament to culture, art, and identity that has endured for centuries. A gem that speaks quietly, yet with great dignity.

Historic gothic cathedral in the heart of Lausanne. Incredible inside and out with great views over the city to lake Geneva. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The beautiful Gothic cathedral of Lausanne is a must visit place when in this lovely Swiss city. The stained glass is magnificent, as is the architecture and the cathedral’s commanding location above the ancient city centre. Not to be missed….

Lausanne Cathedral is absolutely stunning, both day and night. Sitting high in the old city, it feels massive and full of history. We went just before mass, and the atmosphere was so peaceful—plus, the people there were really friendly, which made it even better. The stained-glass windows are incredible, bursting with color when the light hits them. And at night, the whole place glows beautifully, making it just as impressive as during the day. Definitely a place that stays with you!

Lausanne Cathedral is a stunning Gothic masterpiece. Its intricate facade and soaring interior inspire awe, while the serene ambiance invites reflection. The view from the tower is breathtaking. A must-see for its architectural beauty and historical significance.

I loved my visit to this cathedral. It's not a particularly stunning church, but it was such a beautiful experience because they had a very moving exhibit about migrants who perish at sea on their journey to Europe. There was a huge trail of paper boats, with each boat representing the death of a migrant. There were powerful stories to read, and there was a documentary playing about it. I have never seen something like this in a church before, and it was by far my most memorable European church experience.

In all things European travel, I defer to the expert advice of Rick Steves, and my visit to Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Lausanne was no different. This was (I believe) our family's 6th and final ancient church visited in as many days (the architecture! the art! the history!), and we'd already walked about a million miles during our whirlwind tour of the western half of Switzerland. This time, we avoided the glute-searing uphill approach by taking the Metro M2 over to Pont Bessieres and picking up the downhill part of Rick's "Old Lausanne" walking tour. Lausanne's glorious gothic cathedral, which began construction in 1165, is the largest in Switzerland and has for centuries been a stop on various Christian pilgrimage routes. It is today mostly bare of decorations due to the Protestant Reformation's iconoclasm here in 1536, but there are some notable exceptions of medieval art surviving. One example is the south portal (once the original entrance), known as the Painted Portal (1215-30), a sunny room (due to the modern windows enclosing the entry) which invites contemplation and study. Be sure to browse through the book there explaining the meaning of each figure in this story of the coronation of Mary, and look to see the last little slivers of the original surface colors. FYI, the other statues on the church exterior are also medieval originals. The beautiful Rose Window also survived from the 13th century with only the central panel requiring restoration. The rose was a popular medieval representation of the universe and Lausanne's huge rose contains images representing the four seasons, four elements, four winds, four rivers of paradise, and the twelve labors of the months and signs of the zodiac. The modern (2003) American-designed pipe organ is lovely - and enormous! My hope is that you'll be lucky as we were to hear it in use during your visit. We learned that it's the largest musical instrument in the country! This church is today a member of the Evangelical Reform Church, a very strict Protestant sect in the style of Calvin (no dancing, no buckles), yet the cathedral is open and welcoming to all in a spirit of reconciliation. We observed quite a few Catholic pilgrims showing their respects to Notre Dame during our visit, or at least to the alcove where the golden statue of her once resided. At the table in front, you can see the symbols of the scallop shell, a message to pilgrims that they are on the right path. The finale, of course, had to include climbing the 225 steps to the observation deck of one of the bell towers for the magnificent views of Lac Leman, the Alps, and the city itself. We were fortunate to have the entire place to ourselves during our November visit, and we were even up top when the noon bells began to ring! I'm only sad we didn't have the chance to hear the night watchman give his evening call from the tower. Maybe next time, Lausanne! More info here: https://www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/en/Z5081/the-cathedral-of-lausanne

Good to walk up here on a sunny day. Try to walk on up via Escaliers du Marche. The Lausanne Cathedral itself is very nice and need a walk thru the interior. But the view outside is even better. The local offers a good view of the whole town and the lake.

If you're looking for the best spot in the area to watch the city and the view on the lake, this is it. If the weather is somewhat nice, this is as good as it can be. You get a 360° point of view. The overlooking view on the lake and the alps is stunning (not only you get the cathedral's elevation, but the building is quite up on the hill). While the access to the tower is not free (but cheap), visiting the building is free of charge. In my humble opinion, I like this cathedral very much and always made me feel something inside. But Lausanne is where I was born so I might be biased in this regard and put too much value on it.

Such a stunning cathedral!The stain glass windows are breathtakingly beautiful and unlike many other historic cathedrals i could mention,this one is free to enter. Take time to view the artwork and the beautiful images set in the stain glass windows-so amazing!