Lausanne's iconic cathedral has towered over the city for more than eight centuries. A masterpiece of Gothic art, it captivates visitors with the harmony of its architecture, the richness of its sculpted details and the serenity it inspires. From its tower, an exceptional panorama opens up over the roofs of the Cité, Lake Geneva and the Alps.
Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, Lausanne Cathedral is a masterpiece of European Gothic architecture. Consecrated in 1275 in the presence of Pope Gregory X and Emperor Rudolf of Habsburg, it impresses with its monumental architecture, in particular the massive west wall by Jean Cotereel, with its sculpted porch and two towers of which only the belfry was completed.After becoming Protestant with the Reformation in 1536, it underwent several transformations, followed by major restoration work in the 19th century under the direction of Viollet-le-Duc. Its gems include a unique painted portal dating back to the 13th century, an exceptional symbolic rose, and a polychrome interior restored in the twentieth century.Inaugurated in 2003, its great organs combine American expertise (Fisk) and Italian design (Giugiaro), making this instrument unique in the world of music. Every night, between 10pm and 2am, the Cathedral's Watchman carries on a tradition that goes back to over 600 years by announcing the hours from the tower.So why not pay a visit to this landmark full of history at night, not to mention that the view over Lausanne asleep is breathtaking! It’s definitiely worth staying awake a while longer, right?
