The 360 view
Lausanne, the lake, Savoy and Mont Blanc on clear days.
Gzzz — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France — CC BY 2.0 · Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France — CC BY 2.0 · Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France — CC BY 2.0
The Sauvabelin Tower is an observation tower built **entirely of wood**, standing in the Sauvabelin forest on a hill north of Lausanne: 35 metres tall with **302 spiral steps** climbing around its central post, built in 2003 from local spruce with almost no steel fastening — a fine piece of Swiss craft in its own right. From the top the view turns a full 360 degrees: all Lausanne below you, Lake Geneva along its length, the French Savoy mountains opposite, and on clear days **Mont Blanc**. Best of all it is **entirely free**, with no ticket — a rarity in Switzerland, where nearly every view is sold — though it does keep hours: 08:00–20:00 May to September, 08:00–18:00 in April and October, 08:00–17:00 November to March. Around it lie the Sauvabelin forest with its small lake, a free little animal park and a restaurant — where the Lausannois spend their weekends. Reached by bus from the centre (about 15 minutes) or on foot uphill from the cathedral through the woods.
Lausanne, the lake, Savoy and Mont Blanc on clear days.
302 steps around a central post with almost no steel.
A small lake, animals and a restaurant — the city's escape.
Chemin de la Tour, 1018 Lausanne
Fondation de l'HermitageThe Fondation de l'Hermitage is an art museum in a **private nineteenth-century 10 minutes walk4.5
Palais de RumineThe Palais de Rumine is a vast neo-Florentine Renaissance building dominating th17 minutes walk4.7
Collection de l'Art BrutThe Collection de l'Art Brut is a museum like no other: the French painter **Jea17 minutes walk4.8
Lausanne CathedralThe Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Lausanne is **Switzerland's most important Gothic18 minutes walk4.7
Escaliers du MarchéThe Escaliers du Marché are the covered wooden stairs linking the Place de la Pa19 minutes walkYes for two reasons: it is **free** in a city where every view is paid, and the forest around it with its lake and animals makes a pleasant family half-day at almost no cost. Take the bus up (15 minutes) rather than walking, and walk back down through the woods to the cathedral if you like. Skip it on a hazy day — the view is the whole point.