The capital of the Swiss canton of Vaud is in the midst of a booming region: economy, town planning, public transport, mobility are all sectors undergoing transformation. Lausanne is Switzerland’s fifth biggest city with a population of 130’000 inhabitants, whereas Greater Lausanne, the largest region of the Canton of Vaud, has more than 300’000 inhabitants. It is honoured to have been chosen the capital of the Olympic Movement, and is a pioneer in the field of sustainability and known for its educational and cultural institutions.

Olympic Capital – Lausanne is host to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to more than 30 international sports federations and sports-oriented organisations. The Maison du Sport International (House of International Sport) provides office space for several of these international bodies. And one should not forget the Olympic Museum, unique in the world. At the local level, 330 sports associations and clubs offer a variety of activities: Water sports on the lake shore, walking, all-terrain biking, Nordic skiing, golf and large range of field and indoor sports. The city also offers the infrastructures for sports-studies and the training of sports managers. With several sport-oriented companies, sport became an economic activity of the city.

Pioneering sustainability – Lausanne is host to the International Federation of Green Regions Associations. With its policies (Agenda 21) and its sustainability fund, Lausanne strives to make the town a prosperous and future-oriented centre of quality of life. Sustainability reaches today all sectors of daily life: energy consumption, education, tourism, or the development of public transport like the recent launch of Switzerland’s first automatic metropolitan transport system, the m2. Sustainable housing for 3,000 households and the building of an eco-neighbourhood are proof of this commitment.

City of Education – The University of Lausanne and the Federal Institute of Technology, a high tech research center of world importance, form together one of the biggest university campuses in Switzerland. The international business management institute IMD, one of the most prestigious in the world, the Lausanne Hotel School, the world’s leading one, as well as public administration institutes, vocational colleges and many private education establishments and art schools form together a centre of excellence in the field of education and research.

City of Culture – Lausanne is a multi-faceted and lively town. More than twenty museums display a rich past and modern culture in all its expressions. Visitors are invited to travel through history, to discover scientific progress, admire beaux-arts, contemporary arts, photography, Art brut or learn more about the behind the scenes of cinematography. Lausanne’s cultural offer is exceptional. Opera, theatres, among them the Théatre de Vidy, music with the Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne, dance with the Béjart Ballet and other choreographic groups, festivals, avant-garde stages, jazz cellars, rock scenes and art galleries: all open new perspectives.

The economy of Lausanne is well-diversified with fields of excellence such as health care and biotechnology as well as business-oriented services, finance and asset management. In theses fields, research and development are particularly valued. Lausanne is also a favourite tourist destination where many multinational companies have established their headquarters. Quality of life rhymes with economic incentives!

Official website: www.lausanne.ch