6 ways to extend summer in Lausanne

Nothing says summer better than lounging around, carefree, on an outdoor terrace, enjoying your drink of choice. Lucky, then, that Lausanne is blessed with some stunners. An unmissable example is Côté Lac’s pop-up bar on Ouchy’s Quai de Belgique, overlooking the lake. Another fine pop-up – Les Jardins – can be found at the foot of Cité Hill, thus offering superb views over the city (as well as offering small plates and fine wines), or there’s the MadHouse Rooftop for those who like their terraces of the sky-high variety, accompanied by a creative cocktail.

One of the best ways to treasure the summer is to ensure you’ve got some long-lasting summer-showcase views embedded in your memory. A great way to do just this is by setting out on Lausanne’s marvellous ‘panoramic stroll’ route. This scenery-packed walk covers some of the city’s best viewpoints, starting at the 35-metre-high Sauvabelin Tower, from which you can spot the Alps, the Jura and the Plateau. Continuing on, you’ll pass through tranquil Hermitage Park, Lausanne Cathedral, Montbenon Esplanade and the Languedoc hillsides (amongst other sites), each offering its own unique view of Lausanne’s wonders and beyond. Click through below for directions.

Grabbing some beach time without leaving the city? It can be done with ease when you’re in Lausanne. Top of the wish-list for many people will be Ouchy’s smart, new beach – 2,000 square metres of bathing space in the Old Port that utilises Lake Geneva’s blue expanse. There’s also Vidy Port’s selection of beaches, where you can rent pedalos. If you do want to head a little out of the centre, the village of Lutry boasts a cosy beach with a diving board, stand-up paddle-boarding and towering mountain views in the background.

Sail through the end of summer like a pro by boarding a CGN ship and embarking on a nautical odyssey. ‘Atmospheric’ doesn’t begin to describe the buzz you’ll get as you soar gracefully across the water, and that’s before you’ve even reached your destination. As for where to head, there’s a lot of choice – 40 ports spread across both the Swiss and French shores of Lake Geneva, perfect for an end of summer jaunt. A few of the many options include Chillon Castle, the Lauvaux vineyards or Montreux if you fancy going French for the day. Wherever you choose, make the most of those final summer vibes on the journey by standing out on deck and enjoy the crisp breeze.

One of the small but significant joys of summer is eating in the outdoors – but that doesn’t have to be at a restaurant terrace. Putting together your own picnic for lakeside dining or simply grabbing something from a shop or cafe to take away can all be just as rewarding. And Lausanne isn’t short on places from which to pick up some premium takeaway, ensuring that your late summer alfresco feast is a memorable one. You can even eat your way around the world while you’re at it. Try Korean staples from Bibibowl, go Greek at The Greek Project, grab meze at Keyann Lebanese Cafe, sample Vietnamese cuisine at Bamee Bistro or keep it Swiss at Chez Ernest. Then there are vegan treats – both healthy and indulgent – at Racines, bespoke sandwiches made at Sucré Salé… The list goes on.

Give yourself a ‘farewell to summer’ treat by booking on to a guided tour of Hôtel de Ville’s carnotzet (a small area of a wine cellar used for sampling the wines). Before getting to taste the good stuff, however, you’ll be exploring local wine history, as your guide leads you through various key locations in the city that help tell the story of Lausanne’s vineyards, including the cathedral, Place de la Palud and even the Vaudois Parliament’s gardens. Cheers!