Pet-Friendly Attractions in Lausanne

Lausanne's most characterful medieval square — a sloping cobbled space with a fountain, the Renaissance façade of the Hôtel de Ville, and the beginning of the Escaliers du Marché (the covered wooden stairway that links the market level to the Cathedral). Dogs on leads are fully at home here and the square hosts a market on Wednesday and Friday mornings where dogs are welcomed. The atmosphere is genuinely medieval and the square is shaded by surrounding buildings even on hot summer days.

The finest Gothic cathedral in Switzerland, dominating the skyline of the old city from its hilltop position. Dogs are not permitted inside the cathedral, but the esplanade surrounding it is fully dog-friendly and provides the most spectacular viewpoint in Lausanne — looking south across the old town rooftops to the lake and Alps. The walk up from the Place de la Palud via the Escaliers du Marché is the classic Lausanne ascent. The surrounding Cité district has pleasant medieval lanes for dog walking.

The Olympic Capital's world-class museum, set in the Parc Olympique on the Ouchy lakefront. Dogs are not permitted inside, but the Parc Olympique surrounding the museum is beautifully landscaped and fully dog-friendly. The park has sculptures, a terrace with lake views, and a café-restaurant. It connects directly to the Ouchy lakefront promenade, making it part of the essential 2 km lakeside circuit. Many visitors leave their dog with a partner in the park while one person goes inside — the park is pleasant enough for an extended wait.