Lausanne is the fourth largest city in Switzerland. Due to its hilly terrain, it is often compared to American California. The city has the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee and several world sports federations. At first sight, it seems that Lausanne is an unremarkable and modest destination, although it is a place where every tourist can find interesting entertainment options. Many museums, cathedrals, and unique architectural structures are well-suited for leisurely walking and exploring the city's culture. In order to connect with nature, it is recommended to find incredible panoramic views on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Despite the small size of this modest Swiss city, it has a lot to offer. In addition to places that remind the tourist that it is the capital of the Olympic sport, Lausanne has many historical and unusual architectural sites. Just walking through its streets, you can enjoy beautiful views of Lake Geneva and the snow-capped peaks of the French Alps from any part of the city.
The city's population is 137,000 people. Approximately 42% of its residents are foreigners. The largest group of them are from Portugal (7%), the French in the city - 7%, Italians - 5%, and Spaniards - 3%. The most common language here is French, spoken by more than 98,000 residents. German is the second most popular language but is spoken by only 4.3% of the residents.
The first settlements on the territory of modern Lausanne appeared as early as 1000 BC. But they quickly lost their value and disappeared even before the onset of Roman rule in 15 BC. With the advent of the Romans, the settlement of Lausanne was founded on hilly Swiss land. Rather quickly, its population grew to 1500. A theater was built in the outlying areas, and wealthier homeowners settled on the hillsides opposite the lake. After two centuries of prosperity, the Roman world collapsed, and most of the population left the area.
At the end of the VI century, the town became an Episcopal center and gradually expanded. The newcomers began to populate the foothills of Cité hill, thus creating new neighborhoods.
By the XIII century, the city had reached its maximum size with a population of 9,000. In 1481 municipal autonomy was introduced, and an alliance with Fribourg and Bern was soon signed. Lausanne lost its political importance, becoming a provincial town.
At the end of the XVI-mid XVII centuries, the city was plagued by witch hunts. By the early XVIII century, there was a rebellion to free it from the Bern authorities. But it was quickly suppressed.
At the end of the Napoleonic wars, the Republic of Lehman was proclaimed. In 1816 the city was plagued by a smallpox epidemic and a famine caused by the cooling of the continent.
By 1860, Lausanne had gradually changed its appearance as its population grew to 20,000. During this time, a municipal theater, a cantonal hospice, and a Federal court building were built.
With the advent of the XX century, Lausanne received the prestigious title of "Olympic Capital," hosting the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. The city breathed a breath of new life and flourished, thanks to the offices of large companies and the globalization of commercial activity.