Geneva & the West - Discover Switzerland: Experience the Best of Switzerland - page 155

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Don't Miss

Cathédrale de Notre Dame
Lausanne's Gothic cathedral, Switzerland's finest, stands proudly at the heart of the Old Town. Raised in the 12th
and 13th centuries on the site of earlier, humbler churches, it lacks the lightness of French Gothic buildings but is re-
markable nonetheless. Pope Gregory X, in the presence of Rudolph of Habsburg (the Holy Roman Emperor) and an
impressive group of European cardinals and bishops, consecrated the church in 1275.
Although touched up in parts in the following centuries (notably the main facade, which was added to the original
to protect the interior against ferocious winds), the cathedral remains largely as it was. The most striking element is
the elaborate entrance on the south flank of the church (which, unusually for Christian churches, was long the main
way in). The painted statuary depicts Christ in splendour, the coronation of the Virgin Mary, the Apostles and other
Bible scenes. Free 40-minute guided tours run from July to September.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Place de la Cathédrale;

7am-7pm Mon-Fri, 8am-7pm Sat & Sun, to 5.30pm Sep-Mar

CAFÉ DE GRANCY $ | Modern European