Switzerland's largest and most beautiful cathedral, Our Lady of Lausanne, is one of the earliest religious buildings in Gothic style to be found in Europe.

Although plundered during the Reformation for all of its ornaments belonging to the Catholic tradition, there remain four main elements that are worth a detailed visit.

The Painted Porch – (original main entrance)

Built in the early years of the 13th century, it is decorated with magnificent gothic
Statues. Its iconography and polychrome painting makes it a unique colourful chef d'œuvre.

The Rose Window

The Rose Window of the Cathedral has a very unusual and interesting geometrical composition, which sets it apart from all other Rose windows.

The 13^th Century Stalls

These stalls were sculptured in Oak, and are now in two sections of five seats.

Main sculptures of the ends of each series are exquisitely carved and very well preserved.

The 16^th Century stalls

These stalls forming a horseshoe shape are made of walnut. They have interesting details carved on the backs and sides of the seats. They are also extremely well preserved.

The basement can be open for guided visits.

From 800 when the first Cathedral was built in Lausanne, there have been several other bigger Cathedrals constructed on the same site. Extensive excavations made during the period 1909 – 1914 yielded many important relics, including the remains of walls from previous Cathedrals.

This detailed visit will begin with the history of the building.
Without access to the Belfry.