Shopping areas

In the centre of the square is the town’s oldest fountain, adorned with a statue representing justice. Close by, a clock presents the history of Vaud in animated scenes every hour from 9:00 to 19:00. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings this is the site of the country market, which also sets up shop in the neighbouring pedestrian streets. Every first Friday of the month, it plays host to a craft market. Typical cafes, boutiques and large, elegant shops complement what this high-class district, which is completely pedestrianised, has to offer.

It’s an area of chic, avant-garde boutiques: high-flying fashion, trendy fashion, but also daring contemporary jewellery, tableware, objets d’art from all over the world – and, of course, high-class watches, chocolates and tobacco, not to mention several prestigious art galleries!

The neighbourhoods located between the Ouchy quays, by the lakeside, and the Lausanne train station invite you to a stroll. They unveil several green oases, elegant Belle Epoque dwellings bordering broad avenues and two internationally renowned museums. Since 2008, the rubber-tired m2 metro has replaced the “Ficelle” (the “String”), which was in 1877 one of the first metropolitan railways in the world.

All along the rue Pichard, the place St-Laurent and the Ale street - which finishes at the last stone tower still remaining from the ancient city walls - window-shoppers hardly know where to turn next.

Built entirely on a slope, the picturesque Rôtillon Quarter is one of the oldest in Lausanne.