MCBA
The Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts in its long building.
Plateforme 10 is Lausanne's new arts district and the most significant recent cultural project in Switzerland: former railway land immediately beside the train station, transformed between 2019 and 2022 into a complex holding **three major museums in contemporary buildings** around an open public square. The three are: the **Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA)** in its long, elegant grey-brick building; **Photo Elysée**, among Europe's most important museums of photography; and **mudac**, for design and contemporary applied arts — the latter two sharing a single cubic building behind a striking **white concrete façade** (by the Portuguese architects Aires Mateus). The square, the outdoor spaces, the bookshop and the café are **free and open to everyone**, and the place has become a meeting point for the city. Because it adjoins the station (a minute on foot) it is the easiest thing to visit in Lausanne — even with two hours between trains. A combined ticket covers all three museums.
The Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts in its long building.
Among Europe's foremost photography museums.
Design and contemporary applied arts.
Place de la Gare 16, 1003 Lausanne
Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA)The Cantonal Museum of Fine Arts (MCBA) is the principal art museum of Lausanne 1 minute walk4.6
Place de la Palud and the Old TownThe Place de la Palud is Lausanne's oldest square and the heart of its old town:7 minutes walk4.5
Escaliers du MarchéThe Escaliers du Marché are the covered wooden stairs linking the Place de la Pa10 minutes walk
Palais de RumineThe Palais de Rumine is a vast neo-Florentine Renaissance building dominating th11 minutes walk4.7
Lausanne CathedralThe Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Lausanne is **Switzerland's most important Gothic12 minutes walk4.7**MCBA** for classical and modern art (Swiss and European painting) — the broadest and best for a single visit. **Photo Elysée** if photography interests you — its exhibitions are world-class. **mudac** if design and contemporary objects appeal — the smallest and quickest. With two hours: one of them plus the square and café. With half a day: the combined ticket and all three.