When you step out of Lausanne train station, everything is pristine: no graffiti, no litter, no pushing and shoving. It’s true what they say about Swiss cleanliness and efficiency.
And upon arrival at my hotel I am offered a free pass for all public transport for the duration of my stay.
This is given to everyone who stays in the city for a maximum of two weeks. Impressive. Generous too.
I’m keen to find out more about Lausanne’s Olympic connections and why it has been named ‘Best Small City in the World’ by Monocle magazine – so I head to Ouchy, where the Olympic Museum is located.
To do this I have to hop on the remote-controlled subway, which is thought to be the steepest in the world. The platform is definitely at a steep angle.
Splendor: Jane Keightley travels to Lausanne, Switzerland to learn about its Olympic history. Above, the view from the Ouchy Promenade on Lake Geneva
Down in Ouchy, opposite the marina, you have a beautiful view over the lake, with the French Alps in the distance.
There’s even a clock counting down the days, hours and minutes until the Olympic Games start in Paris on July 26.
The people of Lausanne are proud of their Olympic ties.
Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, brought the Olympic Committee to Lausanne in 1915 and it is housed in a grand building not far from the museum.
After climbing the stairs and passing countless statues of athletes in action, I finally reach the entrance to the museum.
Lausanne has been the headquarters of the Olympic Committee since 1915 (photo).
Pictured: Inside the city’s Olympic Museum, where medals and costumes are on display
Even if you’re not sporty, all the different medals and costumes – especially the ones Torvill and Dean wore to dance the Bolero and win their gold medal in 1984 – will give you a boost.
I’m going next to Plateforme 10, Lausanne’s new arts district. Housed in a former train station near the station, it houses three museums that were previously spread across the city.
The MCBA (visual arts), MUDAC (contemporary design and applied arts) and Photo Elysee (photography) are housed in soulless modern buildings, but the art and photography inside makes up for this.
There are often temporary exhibitions, for which a fee applies, but the permanent collections are free. Lausanne has an unusual layout.
Jane reveals that those staying in Lausanne will receive a free pass on all public transport for up to two weeks
The Cathedrale Notre Dame (photo) is ‘considered the most beautiful Gothic building in Switzerland’
The city center is not on Lake Geneva, but is high and far back from the waterfront and spread over several hilltops connected by bridges spanning deep riverless gorges.
The Cathedrale Notre Dame is considered the most beautiful Gothic building in Switzerland.
It’s quirky. Every night between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., after the bells have struck the hour, a somber voice calls out from all sides of the cathedral tower: ‘This is the night watch; the hour has struck’ – assuring everyone in the area that all is well.
I don’t doubt it for a moment. All is very well indeed in this most civilized city.
