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Visiting Lausanne

Visiting Maison du Lac

Parents, family, and other associates of current Pepperdine Lausanne students are welcome to visit our program facilities, Maison du Lac, and enjoy our campus. While planning your visit, we encourage you to reference this page as well as our local pages for information about places to see, eat, watch, and do in and around Lausanne.

When to Visit

Please remember our participants are full time students and are balancing a strenuous academic schedule with traveling the world, and we encourage you to plan your visit in a time that will not place undue stress on them. We highly discourage visits during the following times:

  • Orientations (first week of each semester)
  • Midterm Exams (check with your student for their exact schedule)
  • Educational Field Trip (no students will be in Lausanne)
  • Final Exams (last two weeks of each semester)
  • Final Banquet

For questions on the ideal time to visit, please contact Assistant Director Mark Barneche.


 

IP Visitors Weekend Reservation

Welcome, fellow Pepperdine IP students! We're so glad you are thinking about visiting our beautiful city along the lake. Please fill out this form in order to request overnight housing in Pepperdine's house in Lausanne - Maison du Lac. Housing and Residence Life is limited (8 beds), so it is recommended that you have an alternative plan in place in case we cannot secure housing for you.

While you can submit this form as far in advance as you would like, the deadline to submit this form is the Tuesday prior to your intended travel weekend at 5:00 PM. You will be contacted by Assistant Director Mark Barneche via email (mark.barneche@pepperdine.edu) regarding whether your request has been accepted or declined.


 

Directions to Pepperdine Lausanne

These directions will guide you from Geneva Airport (GVA), the closest international airport, to our local train station, and onward to our program facility.

Download these directions HERE.

Instructional video HERE.

  1. In the GVA baggage claim, check the SBB (Swiss National Railways) departure board for the next train departing to Lausanne
  2. After exiting the baggage claim doors, turn left and continue down the hallway and exit the airport through the glass doors on your right.
  3. Buy a direct, one-way ticket to Lausanne for the appropriate number of adults and children in your group. Kiosk machines can be navigated in English and most accept credit cards.
  4. Continue toward the main departure board to check which platform your train is on. Look for "Lausanne" as one of the destinations, and make a note of which "voie" (or platform) your train will be leaving from
  5. Board the train and enjoy your first views of Switzerland. The trains take 45 minutes to an hour. Be sure to listen for the conductor to announce Lausanne as the next stop.
  6. Exit at the Lausanne station and walk toward the front of train station. You may need to use the tunnel under the track for some platforms. After exiting the train station, turn left, cross the street by Asia Express, and follow the road up the hill toward the stop light
  7. At the first major intersection, turn left onto Marc-Dufour). Continue down the hill. Maison du Lac will be on your left hand side, identified by a large "Pepperdine University" sign.

 

Accommodations

Are you visiting Lausanne? Here are some local accommodations that will help you stay well rested during your stay here in Lausanne!

Hotels

Lausanne Guesthouse ($) - Chemin des Epinettes 4, 1007 Lausanne
W: http://www.lausanne-guesthouse.ch
T: 021 601 80 00

Hôtel Alpha-Palmiers ($$$) - Rue du Petit Chêne 34, 1003 Lausanne
W: http://byfassbind.com
T: 021 555 59 99

Lausanne Palace & Spa ($$$$) - Rue du Grand Chêne 7, 1003 Lausanne
W: http://www.lausanne-palace.com/uk/index.php
T: 021 331 31 31


 

Restaurants

Reservations are often required in Switzerland regardless of the time of day or price of the restaurant. If you are interested in making a reservation, please inform us and we will assist you.

Looking for somewhere open Sunday?

  RESTAURANT LEGEND

Main course average: $: 10-20 CHF, $$: 20-30 CHF, $$$: 30-40 CHF, $$$$: 50-70 CHF

  COFFEE/CAFÉ

Sleep Bear Coffee ($) - Rue de Simplon 3A, 1006 Lausanne

Café Mood ($$) - Rue Beau-Séjour 15, 1003 Lausanne
T: 021 544 88 75

L'Impression ($) - Av. Ruchonnet 15, 1007 Lausanne

Culture Café ($) - (Located inside the FNAC) Rue de Genève 6, 1003 Lausanne

P'tit Bar ($) - Rue Louis-Curtat 6, 1700

Café du Simplon ($) - Rue du Simplon 17, 1006 Lausanne
W: www.cafedusimplon.ch
T: 021 616 31 04

Non Solo - Avenue du Tribunal-Fédéral 5. 1005 Lausanne
W: https://www.facebook.com/nonsololausanne/
T: 021 311 16 12

Le Java ($) - Rue Marterey 36 , 1005 Lausanne
W: www.lejava.ch/
T: 021 321 38 37

Café Mozart ($$) - Rue de la Grotte 2, 1003 Lausanne
W: www.mozartcafe.ch
T: 021 323 10 30

Café Enning ($$) - Rue Enning 10 Lausanne, Lausanne 1003, Switzerland
T: 021 321 38 31

  BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

Le Pointu ($$) - Rue Neuve 2, 1003 Lausanne
W: http://www.le-pointu.ch/ **Reservations are a must!
T: 021 351 14 14

Café Saint Pierre ($) - Place Benjamin-Constant 1, 1003 Lausanne
W: http://www.cafesaintpierre.ch/
T: 021 323 36 36

Café des Avenues ($) - Avenue de Jurigoz 20, 1006 Lausanne
W: https://www.lausanne-tourisme.ch/en/explore/le-cafe-des-avenues/
T: 021 616 11 11

Blackbird Coffee and Breakfast Club ($) - Cheneau de Bourg 1, 1003 Lausanne
W: http://blackbirdcafe.ch/en/

Manor ($) (5th Floor) - Beautiful terrace with cathedral view, Rue Pichard 3, 1003 Lausanne
T: 021 321 36 99

Côté Jardin ($$$) - Rue du Grand-Chêne 7 1003 Lausanne
W: www.lausanne-palace.com/uk/le-cote-jardin.php
T: 021 331 31 31

  SWISS

Café de Grütli ($$) - Famous for fondue, Rue Mercerie 4, 1003 Lausanne
W: www.cafedugruetli.ch/
T: 021 312 94 93

Café l'Avenir ($$) - Swiss Italian, Boulevard de Grancy 32, 1006 Lausanne
T:021 616 46 54

Edelweiss ($$) - traditional Swiss, Avenue Emile-Henri Jaques-Dalcroze 9 CH-1007 Lausanne
T: 021 616 55 55

Café de Grancy ($$) - Swiss Romande, Avenue du Rond-Point 1, 1006 Lausanne
W: www.cafedegrancy.ch/
T: 021 616 86 66

Bleu Lézard ($$) - Swiss Romande, Rue Enning 10, Lausanne 1003, Switzerland
W: www.bleu-lezard.ch
T: 021 321 38 30

Chalet Suisse ($$$) - traditional Swiss food with a great view, Route du Signal 40, 1018 Lausanne
W: www.chaletsuisse.ch/
T: 021 312 23 12

Nomade ($$$) - Modern Swiss Romande, Place de l'Europe 9, 1003 Lausanne
T: 021 320 13 13

Chateau d'Ouchy ($$$$) - Place du Port, 2, Lausanne 1006, Switzerland
W: www.chateaudouchy.ch/uk/restaurant.php
T: 021 331 32 32

Croix d'Ouchy ($$$$) - Avenue d'Ouchy 43 1006 Lausanne
T: 021 616 22 33

  ITALIAN

Café l'Avenir ($$) - Swiss Italian, Boulevard de Grancy 32, 1006 Lausanne
W: www.lavenir.ch/
T:021 616 46 54

Caffè Bellini ($$) - Italian, Rue de la Barre 5, 1003 Lausanne
T: 021 351 24 40

Boccalino ($$) – Italian, Av. d'Ouchy 76 Lausanne
W: www.boccalino.ch
T: 021 616 35 39

Il Corso ($$$) - Rue de Bourg 29, 1003 Lausanne
T: 021 312 88 09

L'Accademia ($$$) - Place du Port 1000 Lausanne 6
W: www.angleterre-residence.ch/en/dining/laccademia.html
T: 021 613 34 34

Watergate ($$$) - Avenue Emile-Henri-Jaques-Dalcroze 9, 1007 Lausanne
W: www.water-gate.ch
T: 021 601 48 38

Croix d'Ouchy ($$$$) - Avenue d'Ouchy 43 1006 Lausanne
T: 021 616 22 33

  MEXICAN

Tayta Empanadas ($) - Chemin Du Reposoir 24, 1007 Lausanne (no reservations, they deliver)

W: http://www.empanadas-tayta.com/

  MEDITERRANEAN

Chez Denis ($) - Rue du Petit-Chêne 22, 1003 Lausanne (no reservations required)

Côté Jardin ($$$) - Rue du Grand-Chêne 7 1003 Lausanne
W: www.lausanne-palace.com/uk/le-cote-jardin.php
T: 021 331 31 31

Le Lyrique ($$$) - Rue Beau-Séjour 291003 Lausanne, Switzerland
T: 021 312 88 87

La Table d'Edgard ($$$$) - Rue du Grand-Chêne 7 1003 Lausanne
W: www.lausanne-palace.com/uk/la-table-d-edgard.php
T: 021 331 31 31

Obeirut Lebanese Cuisine ($$$$) - Rue Bellefontaine 2, Lausanne 1003, Switzerland
W: www.obeirut.com
T: 021 349 10 10

  ASIAN

Chez Xu ($) - Rue du Petit-Chene 27, Lausanne 1003
T: 021 320 72 68

Nandanam ($$) - Indian, Av. Louis-Ruchonnet 11 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland
W: www.nandanam.ch/
T: 21 312 23 00

Myo Sushi ($$$) - Japanese, Esplanade de Montbenon

W: www.myosushibar.ch/
T: 021 323 22 88

Palace Zen Sushi ($$$) - Japanese, Rue du Grand-Chêne 7 1003 Lausanne

W: www.lausanne-palace.com/uk/palace-sushi-zen.php
T: 021 331 31 31

Arirang ($$$) - Korean, Avenue du Théâtre 1, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
W: www.arirang.ch
T: 021 323 03 34

  AMERICAN STYLE

Holy Cow ($) – Rue des Terreaux 10, 1003 Lausanne (no reservations required)
W: http://www.holycow.ch/

Zoo Burger ($) – Rue Marterey 29, 1005 Lausanne (no reservation required)
W: http://www.zooburger.ch
T: 021 312 50 20

Étoile Blanche ($$) – Av. du Tribunal-Fédéral 1, 1005 Lausanne
W: http://www.etoileblanche.ch
T: 021 351 24 60

Crazy Wolf ($) – Rue Haldimand 9, 1er étage, 1003 Lausanne
W: http://www.crazywolf.ch/
T: 026 321 50 71

  FRENCH

Crêperie D'Ouchy ($) - Place du Port 5, 1006 Lausanne (no reservations required)

Crêperie la Chandeleur ($$) - Rue Mercerie 9, 1003 Lausanne
T: 021 312 84 19

Café Beau-Rivage ($$$) - Place du Port 17-19, 1006 Lausanne, Switzerland
T: 021 613 33 33

Au Chat Noir ($$$) - Rue Beau-Séjour 27 1003 Lausanne
T: 021 312 95 85

Nomade ($$$) - Place de l'Europe 9, 1003 Lausanne
W: www.restaurantnomade.ch
T: 021 320 13 13

  BRASSERIE

Great Escape ($$) - 18 Rue de la Madeleine, Lausanne 1003, Switzerland
W: www.the-great.ch/home.php
T: 021 312 31 94

Les Brasseurs ($$) – Rue Centrale 4 1003 Lausanne
W: http://www.les-brasseurs.ch/site/fr/
T: 021 351 14 24

Brasserie de Montbenon ($$) - Allee Ernest Ansermet 3, Lausanne 1003, Switzerland
W: www.brasseriedemontbenon.ch
T: 021 320 40 30

Brasserie du Grand Chêne ($$$) - Rue du Grand-Chêne 7 1003 Lausanne
W: www.lausanne-palace.com/uk/la-brasserie-du-grand-chene.php
T: 021 331 31 31

Brasserie Lausanne-Moudon ($$$) – Rue du Tunnel 20, 1005 Lausanne
W: www.lausanne-moudon.ch
T: 021 329 04 71

  VEGETARIAN/VEGAN

Tibits ($) - Place de la Gare 11, 1003 Lausanne
W: https://www.tibits.co.uk/en/home


Veganopolis ($) - Avenue des Bains 4C, 1007 Lausanne
W: http://veganopolis.org/
T: 021 546 67 6


 

Art & Culture

As a European crossroads, Lausanne has won a reputation as a city that is demanding, open and dynamic in the field of the arts. Every year there are numerous cultural events: the Béjart Ballet Lausanne, concerts by the Orchestre de chambre de Lausanne (Lausanne Chamber Orchestra), the musical drama productions put on by the Opéra de Lausanne (Lausanne Opera House) and finally plays at the Théâtre de Vidy-Lausanne E.T.E., which enjoys Europe-wide prestige. The presence of the Cinémathèque Suisse (Swiss Film Archive), one of the richest anywhere on the continent, adds to the originality of a city whose productions or artists often tour abroad.

But Lausanne also has many artists from the surrounding region who offer public creative work in all sorts of fields. There are many different venues for these events as well. Theater at the Arsenic, Kléber-Méleau, Boulimie, at the Grange de Dorigny and at the 2.21, classical music in Paderewski, dance at Sévelin 36, and finally jazz at Chorus and Pianissimo. The magnificent Métropole hall hosts the Béjart Ballet and the Orchestre de chambre de Lausanne, the Théâtre de Beaulieu touring shows (dance, classical, variety shows). Also, there are innumerable small venues and clubs offering contemporary music.

And that's not all: the capital of the Vaud region also has a large range of museums just waiting to be explored. To name but a few, the Collection de l'Art Brut (Collection of Raw Art), (the only museum of its kind in the whole world), the Musée de Design et d'Arts Appliqués Contemporains (mu.dac – Museum Of Contemporary Design And Applied Arts) with its exceptional collection of glass-based art, the Fondation de l'Hermitage, the Musée de l'Elysée (devoted to photography) and the Musée Olympique (Olympic Museum).

Finally, throughout the season a wide audience is invited to attend numerous lively festive events (Festival of Music, Festival of Cinema, Bach Festival, Festival of the City, Museums' Night, etc.).

  LAUSANNE

Collection de l'Art Brut, Av. Bergieres 11, 1004 Lausanne
Vivid and unusual works by contemporary artists
W: http://www.artbrut.ch/en/
T: 021 315 25 70

Fondation de l'Hermitage, Route du Signal 2, 1018 Lausanne
Beautiful works of art, usually from the 19th and 20th centuries, from around the world
W: www.fondation-hermitage.ch/
T: 021 320 50 01

Musee Historique de Lausanne, Place de la Cathedrale 4, 1005 Lausanne
Historical artifacts and photography focusing on the city of Lausanne
W: www.lausanne.ch/mhl
T: 021 315 41 01

Olympic Museum/Musee Olympique, Quai d'Ouchy 1, 1006 Lausanne
The official Olympic Museum, located right on the shores of Lac Léman.
W: www.olympic.org/museum
T: 021 621 65 11

  DANCE

Prix de Lausanne
International ballet competition.
W: http://www.prixdelausanne.org/

  GENEVA

Musee d'Art et d'Histoire, Rue Charles-Galland 2, 1206 Geneve
W: http://institutions.ville-geneve.ch/fr/mah/
T: 022 418 26 00

International Red Cross Museum/Musee International de la Croix-Rouge
Av. de la Paix 17, 1202 Geneve
W: http://www.redcrossmuseum.ch/en/
T: 022 748 95 11


 

Spiritual Life

The Pepperdine Lausanne faculty family help operate a weekly House Church every Sunday evening, where all students are invited to listen to a student speaker and our worship team, take communion, and partake in building a church community within the walls of Maison du Lac. Additional spiritual life opportunities within the program include men and women's weekly bible studies and events from the Convocation Series.

  Local Churches

CHRISTIAN CITY CHURCH "C3"

Bilingual, non-denominational.

W: www.c3lausanne.ch

When: Services at 10h00 and 18h00, Sunday

Where: Beaulieu, salle Rome (3rd Floor)

 

WESTLAKE CHURCH

English, non-denominational.

W: www.westlakelausanne.com

When: Service at 10h30 and 18h30, Sunday

Where: Foyer Paroissial, St. Sulpice

 

ALL-SAINTS

English, Anglican.

W: www.allsaints.ch

When: Service at 10h30, Sunday

Where: Vevey

 

EGLISE DU CHRIST

French, Church of Christ.

W: http://www.i-evangile.com/info-eglise/leglise-du-christ-de-lausan.html

When: Service at 17h00, Sunday

Where: Avenue de France 77, Lausanne

 

OUR LADY OF FAITH

English, Roman Catholic.

W: www.catholicchurchlausanne.org

When: Service on Saturday at 17h30 in Lausanne, on Sunday at 10h30 in Pully

Where: Pully I Lausanne

 

ANGLICAN CHURCH

English, Anglican.

W: www.christchurch-lausanne.ch

When: Service on Sunday at 10h30

Where: Avenue de l'Eglise-Anglaise 1, Lausanne

 

SCOT'S KIRK

English, Church of Scotland.

W: www.scotskirklausanne.ch

When: Service on Sunday at 10h30

Where: Ave de Rumine, 26, 1005 Lausanne


 

Day Trips

 Sauvabelin Tower

Built to commemorate the start of the new millennium, this 35-meter-high wooden tower is perched at the top of the city and offers a commanding view of Lausanne, Lac Leman, and the surrounding communities. The tower is open from 9am to 5pm during the winter and 9am to 9pm in the summer, but occasionally closes early due to wind or snow. Call 021 315 42 74 to confirm if the tower is currently open.

From Maison du Lac: Walk to the Lausanne-Chauderon bus station, outside of the Metropole, and take bus #16 to Lausanne-Signal. The bus leaves Chauderon every 15 minutes.

 Lac Leman and Ouchy

Enjoy Lac Leman (or Lake Geneva) with a stroll along the shore to the University of Lausanne, swimming at one of the public (free) beaches, or enjoy the coastal ambience of Ouchy, the port of Lausanne. The lake shore is dotted with restaurants and hotels. We recommend starting at Ouchy and then walking west toward UNIL and EPFL, Lausanne's two largest universities.

From Maison du Lac: Walk to the Lausanne Gare (train station) and take the metro to Lausanne-Ouchy.

 Cailler Chocolate Factory

Cailler Chocolate is among Switzerland's finest chocolate brands. Located in the Gruyere region, Maison Cailler includes a large chocolate store, an interactive tour featuring the history of chocolate making and a walkthrough the actual factory, as well as a chocolate tasting room.

For more information, click here.

From Lausanne: Take an IR train to Palézieux, then transfer to a R train to Bulle. Switch in Bulle to an R train to Broc-Fabrique, which will put you steps from the factory.

 Gruyére

Gruyere is a rural region with a rich medieval history located at the foot of the Pre-Alps. Made up of several small villages connected by a rail, popular attractions include the Maison Gruyere cheese factory, where visitors can see the realtime production of the world famous cheese, the Gruyere castle, and the many fondue restaurants serving the rich combination of local cheeses and wines in one of Switzerland's most famous delicacies.

For more information, click here.

From Lausanne: Take an IR train to Palézieux, then transfer to a R train to Bulle. Switch in Bulle to an R train to Gruyere.

 Evian

Located directly across Lac Lemon from Lausanne on the border of France and Switzerland, Evian is one of France's most popular tourist destinations. It's famed "healing waters" attract thousands to it's spa resorts, and has attracted international attention through it's namesake water bottling company (Evian). Evian is easily accessible via a ferry that runs throughout the day from Lausanne.

For more information on Evian, click here.

For information on the ferry to Evian, click here.

 Lavaux Wine Region

Lavaux is an internationally recognized wine growing region, spanning from Lausanne to neighboring Montreux. This UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site includes six villages the city of Vevey. For an easy walk through the centuries old vineyards and panoramic views of the Lake, take the train to Chexbres, and then wander down to the village of St. Saphorin, where one can board a train back to Lausanne. For a longer day trip, you may choose to take the train from St. Saphorin to Vevey, enjoy a meal on the side of the lake, and then take one of the many lake cruises home to Lausanne.

For information on Lavaux, click here.

From Lausanne: Take the train to Puidoux-Chexbres, then transfer to the train to Chexbres Village.

 Chateau De Chillon

Located directly on the shores of the Lac Lemon, this picturesque castle dates back over one thousand years. Both self tours and guided tours are available. During prescheduled evens wine tasting is also available.

For more information, click here.

 Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen

Adventure seekers from around the world make the pilgrimage to Switzerland's Interlaken region, where opportunities to hike, climb, paraglide, and even skydive abound. Most of Interlaken's high adventure outings are managed by "Outdoor Interlaken". Adjacent to Interlaken and accessible by train is the Lauterbrunnen communities, which offer more extensive hiking opportunities and a gondola trip up the Alps to the smaller mountain village of Mullen.

For more information on Interlaken, click here. I For more information on Lauterbrunnen, click here.

From Lausanne: Take any train to Bern, then switch to a train to Interlaken Ost. This is the stop for Interlaken, or you can switch to a train continuing to Lauterbrunnen here.

 Geneva (Geneve)

Geneva is among Europe's most cosmopolitan cities and a hub of international exchange and diplomacy. It is the seat of the second largest United Nations office, which is available for tours for a small fee. Many other international non-governmental organizations, such as the Red Cross, also choose Geneva as their international headquarters. Also of interest to foreign visitors is the Jet-d'eau, a large fountain. Geneva is situated on the same lake as Lausanne; the Geneva airport (GVA) is the primary airport servicing Lausanne, and most of our visitors elect to fly to Geneva and then train into Lausanne.

Click for information on: UN Office of Geneva I Red Cross Museum

Trains run direct from Lausanne to Geneva and Geneva Airport, and the reverse, close to hourly during the day.

 Zurich

Zurich is the economic capital of Switzerland, and among the leading financial centers of the world. Zurich is Switzerland's largest and busiest city, and is home to a wealth of luxury shops. Visitors should be aware Zurich is located in the German-speaking region of Switzerland, as opposed to French-speaking Lausanne and Geneva.

For more information on Zurich, click here.

From Lausanne: Direct trains service Lausanne-Zurich

 Bern

Located in the German-speaking region of Switzerland, Bern is the de-facto capital of the Confederacy and its fourth largest city. Visitors can tour the Bundeshaus, the Swiss parliament building, the Berne Historical Museum, the second largest museum in Switzerland, or visit the Zytglogge, Bern's famous clock tower. And of course, no visit to Bern would be complete without visiting the city's famous mascot, the Bern Bears, who reside in Bear Park.

For more information on Bern, click here.

From Lausanne: Direct trains service Lausanne-Bern