Vaud

Lausanne is the capital of the canton of Vaud and the fourth-largest city in Switzerland. Set on terraced hillsides above the northern shore of Lake Geneva, it is the country's main French-speaking cultural and administrative centre and has been the home of the International Olympic Committee since 1915.

The city's layered historic centre is dominated by the Gothic Lausanne Cathedral, while the lakeside district of Ouchy offers a promenade, harbour and views across the water to the Alps. The Musée Olympique, the Collection de l'Art Brut and the Plateforme 10 arts district anchor a strong museum scene alongside the older university quarter.

Neighbourhoods give Lausanne much of its character: the steep old town around the cathedral, the converted warehouses of the Flon district with their bars and restaurants, and the relaxed lakefront of Ouchy. Just east of the city, the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretch along the lake.

As home to the University of Lausanne and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, the city is a major centre for education, research and innovation, with a growing start-up and conference economy. Its combination of lake, vineyards, culture and institutions makes it relevant for both leisure visitors and business travellers.