Lausanne has a reputation as a pricey city, yet many of its finest spots cost nothing. Go on foot and you see the city at its best — and the walk itself is free to play.
The walk is free
You open the route in your browser, with no download or account, and play the eight-stop tour for free. Along the way you read the story at each place and solve a puzzle — a free way to really get to know Lausanne.
What you can enjoy for free
Many highlights of the route are public and cost nothing: the lively Place de la Palud, where the animated town-hall clock comes to life on the hour; the Gothic cathedral with its rose window; and the sweeping views over Lake Geneva and the Alps from the Esplanade de Montbenon. The Parc de la Légende, with its sculptures, and the esplanade of the Plateforme 10 art quarter are free to wander too.
Honest: what does cost admission
If you want to see the museums from the inside, you'll pay for entry. That applies to the Lausanne History Museum, the museums inside the Palais de Rumine, and at Plateforme 10 to the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts (MCBA) and the design museum MUDAC. The buildings themselves and their surroundings are free to admire; only going inside costs money.
Practical
The route is about 3.5 kilometres and takes roughly 1 to 2 hours. All you need is a phone, and you start at the Lausanne History Museum.
That's how you discover Lausanne without reaching for your wallet. Start the free walk in the CityWalkGems app and let the city tell its stories.
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