Because of Lausanne's... by vaara
Because of Lausanne's topography, you may wish to use gravity to help you tour the city. Start at the top by exploring the chateau and cathedral; the views from the chateau, in particular, are stupendous. From here, a set of stairs leads down to cobblestoned Place de la Palud, nexus of the old town, which is mostly pedestrianized. A quick jaunt down (and up) Rue St. Francois takes you to ritzy Rue de Bourg, home to the expensive boutiques you'd expect to find in Switzerland ... as well as a McDonald's. Its western terminus is Place St. Francois, dominated by the church of the same name and the mammoth main post office; this is the heart of modern Lausanne. The pedestrian underpass (don't even think about jaywalking!) puts you onto Rue du Petit-Chene, which ends at the bustling main railway station. South of here, a network of leafy streets leads past posh apartment buildings, many with intriguing Art Nouveau detailing, to the waterfront at Ouchy. Here, depending on the season and the weather, you can mingle with skateboarders or blue-haired tourists. Also in Ouchy is the terminal for steamers linking all the major towns on Lake Geneva, including Evian in France. Stroll along the waterfront with an ice cream, rent a scooter or paddle-boat, and when you're tired, hop on the cute little metro that lifts weary wanderers back up to the central city.
