LAUSANNE
Capital of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland and Olympic capital
Population: 147,000 (Lausannois and Lausannoises)
Specialities: papet vaudois (Swiss stew), Vaud sausage, perch fillets, taillé aux greubons (savoury pastry), bouchons vaudois (confectionery), wines of Lausanne
Celebrities: Benjamin Constant (writer), Maurice Béjart (dancer, died in Lausanne), Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz (poet), Georges Simenon (died in Lausanne). Stanislas Wawrinka (tennis).
Sport: FC Lausanne-Sport (football, Super League), Lausanne Hockey Club (ice hockey, National League), Lausanne Université Club (volleyball, Ligue Nationale A). Facilities: Pontaise Olympic Stadium, Vaudoise Arena ice rink. Events: Athletissima (athletics meeting), Lausanne Marathon, Lausanne Triathlon, Lausanne FIBA 3x3 World Tour (basketball)
Cycling: 111 km of cycle paths, 3,800 cycle parking spaces
Economy: headquarters of the International Olympic Committee, universities, hospital, cutting-edge technology, service sector, banks, government offices
Heritage: Château Saint-Maire (15th century), Notre-Dame Cathedral (16th century), Olympic Museum, Collection de l’Art Brut, Fondation de l’Hermitage (museum), Plateforme 10 (museum complex), Aquatis (Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium), Ballet Béjart Lausanne (dance company), Place de la Palud (18th- and 19th-century buildings)
Festivals: Festival de la Cité, Rencontres du 7e Art, Festival Lausanne Lumière.
Labels: Olympic capital.
Websites: lausanne.ch / lausanne-tourisme.ch
FOOD:
Papet vaudois
Papet vaudois, or papet aux porreaux (from papette, meaning a porridge), is a traditional dish from the canton of Vaud, made with potatoes, leeks and Vaud sausage. Although it is often served on the day marking the celebration of Vaud’s independence (24 January 1798), it is probably a more recent creation. Since 2009, the Association de la charcuterie vaudoise has celebrated Papet Vaudois Day on the first Friday in October.