Lausanne (46° 31? 10? N, 6° 37? 56? E) is a city in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, situated on the shores of Lake Geneva (French: Lac Léman), and facing Évian-les-Bains (France). Lausanne is located some 60 km northeast of Geneva. It is the capital of the canton of Vaud. Population (as of December 2003): 126,766. It lies in the middle of a wine-growing region.
Sporting activities are very popular in Lausanne, with water sports available on the nearby lake and mountaineering in the nearby mountains. Cycling is also a popular pastime, with the vineyards in the surrounding hills providing spectacular views and challenging routes. There is an annual marathon, road cycling race GP Lausanne, and a triathlon competition. among other things.
The Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne and the Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne provide a diverse and rich musical life. The latter has been under the direction of Michel Corboz for many years.
Each summer, the "City festival", or "Fête de la Cite" is held at the beginning of July. There are also film festivals, and the Bach Festival, "Le Festival et Concours Bach de Lausanne" follows "La Nuit de Musées" (Museum's night) in the fall season.
Lausanne has some alternative culture.
Waterfront view of Ouchy, just south of Lausanne
Museums:
Lausanne is also the site of many museums:
* Musée Historique de Lausanne (Lausanne Historical Museum)
* Musée Olympique Lausanne (Olympic Museum)
* Fondation de l'Hermitage (Hermitage Foundation)
* Cabinet des Médailles cantonal
* Collection de l'Art brut (Art Brut Collection)
* Espace Arlaud
* Espace des Inventions (Science Center for Kids)
* Fondation Claude Verdan - Musée de la main (Museum of the Hand)
* Fondation du vivarium de Lausanne
* Forum d'architectures de Lausanne
* Forum de l'Hôtel de Ville (Forum of the Town Hall)
* Musée cantonal d'Archéologie et d'Histoire (Cantonal Museum of Archeology and History)
* Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts (Cantonal Fine Arts Museum)
* Musée de design et d'arts appliqués contemporains, mu.dac
* Musée de l'Elysée (Elysée Museum)
* Musée cantonal de Géologie (Cantonal Geological Museum)
* Musée et jardins botaniques cantonaux (Cantonal Museum and Botanical Gardens)
* Musée de Pully (Pully Museum)
* Musée romain de Lausanne-Vidy (Lausanne-Vidy Roman Museum)
* Musée de la Villa romaine de Pully (Pully Roman Villa Museum)
* Musée cantonal de Zoologie (Cantonal Zoology Museum)
* Roseraie de la Vallée de la Jeunesse (Rosegarden)
* Etablissement horticole de la Bourdonnette - serres de la Ville (Horticultural Establishment of La Bourdonette - Municipal Glasshouses)
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