Lausanne- When you set foot in the city of Lausanne, you feel that you have been transported to a world designed with a precise balance between tranquil nature and sophisticated urban life, from the banks of Lake Leman (Lake Geneva) and the mountains that guard the city with royal silence, to the clean roads that remind you that Switzerland not only creates the hands of time with great craftsmanship, but also creates its rhythm.
Visiting this city is not just a tourist trip, but an opportunity to discover the spirit of a place that breathes arts, sports, and tastes that delight the hearts before the senses, and make all your memories there stick with you even after your return.
I started my tour of Lausanne in the old city, this neighborhood that still lives in the rhythm of the Middle Ages, as if time had stopped there out of respect for it.
From the first minutes, you will feel that the stone-paved alleys tempt you to walk for long hours tirelessly and enter small shops and cafes, which look like part of an artistic painting.
Historic cathedral
Perhaps the most important thing that Lausanne has hidden in this part of the city is its historic cathedral, which can be entered for free, and has been considered one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Europe for more than 8 centuries.
Tour guide Anna Decoro said that the cathedral was built between the 12th and 13th centuries, adding that it is “an artistic masterpiece that was inaugurated in 1275 in the presence of Pope Gregory
Speaking to Al Jazeera Net during the tour, Decoro added, “This cathedral underwent several transformations after it became Protestant during the Reformation in 1536. Among its treasures are a painted portal and a rose window with exceptional symbolism, and a multi-colored interior decor that was rediscovered in the 20th century.”
As for the organ in the middle of it from the inside, Decoro indicated that it was opened in 2003, and combines American and Italian craftsmanship, which makes this instrument unique in the world of music.
She added, “Every night, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., the cathedral’s guards perpetuate a more than 600-year-old tradition by announcing the clock times from the tower.”
Once you climb the steps leading to this cathedral and reach the top of the tower, the visitor enjoys a panoramic view that summarizes the city in a snapshot: ornate houses with red roofs, Lake Geneva extending from afar, and the towering Alps looming in the background.
Chocolate flavour
A visit to Lausanne cannot be complete without celebrating Swiss chocolate, this delicious art that is made with quality and seriousness similar to delicate surgery.
For a price of 30 Swiss francs ($37), you can purchase a “Chocolate Tour” ticket valid for 72 hours to choose 5 out of 11 artisans in Lausanne and get a selection of the finest chocolates while exploring the city.
Thanks to this card, you can enter the shops you have chosen from the list, and the best chocolatiers in the city will inform you about the ancient history of Swiss chocolate, which began in Lausanne in 1830 with the Kohler brothers’ factory.
With this unique experience, you can visit 5 chocolate makers and enjoy a box of chocolate specially prepared for you for free, highlighting the local expertise that makes Lausanne one of the leading cities in the history of national chocolate.
During this tour, I met chocolatier Dan Durig, who stressed the importance of this field in the culture and history of Lausanne and Switzerland in general, saying, “The Swiss are the largest consumers of chocolate in the world, as they consume about 13 kilograms on average per person.”
Due to his long experience extending to more than 25 years, Dorig explained to Al Jazeera Net that tourists are more inclined to buy pralines available in different flavours, considering that dark chocolate is the best type for those who want to maintain a healthy weight because it contains more than 70% cocoa.
If you are a fan of tasting activities, you can book a chocolate-making workshop to enjoy an experience that allows you to discover this world up close and create your own piece with your favorite flavors.
The capital of sports and youth
To experience the Olympic Games up close, feel the Olympic spirit as the athletes lived it, and study the history of the Games from ancient times to today, thanks to the latest computer technologies and audio-visual media, it is recommended to visit the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
The idea of creating a museum dedicated to appreciating the Olympic idea goes back to Pierre de Coubertin, who revived the Olympic Games and founded the International Olympic Committee.
The museum is the largest information center on the Olympic Games in the world.
This Olympic Museum – which opened in 1993 in Ouchy, a suburb of Lausanne – reflects the spirit of sports that brings together nations.
Close to Lake Geneva are interactive exhibits, documents and collections of precious objects dating from ancient Greek times to the modern era.
The ticket price is 20 Swiss francs ($24) for adults and 14 Swiss francs ($17) for seniors, students and people with disabilities, and children can enter for free until the age of 15.
On the other hand, Lausanne is famous for hosting nearly 200 public and private schools, whether in science, modern technologies, or the arts. Lausanne has become a global reference in the field of academic and vocational education and attracts huge numbers of foreign students annually, and its university and technological institute – which include prestigious research centers – occupy the top of international rankings.
It can be said that the Lausanne Hotel School is the first specialized school in this field in the world and was founded in 1853. It aspires to train executive competencies and future managers in the hotel, hospitality and entertainment sector.