Ouchy and the Château d’Ouchy — Lausanne
Attraction 03 / 20 · Lakeside quarter · Quays since 1901

Ouchy — Lausanne’s lakeside quarter

The former fishing port of Lausanne — flowered quays, three parks, a neo-Gothic castle and the boats of Lake Geneva, at the end of the m2 metro.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Ouchy and the Château d’Ouchy

At a glance

Where
Quai d’Ouchy, 1006 Lausanne
On the shore of Lake Geneva
Opening hours
Open access, all year
Tickets
Free
Time to plan
1–2 hours for a stroll
Or a whole lakeside afternoon
Accessibility
Flat quays, step-free
Best for
Walks · Families · Sunsets

Hours and prices checked on 21 October 2026 — always confirm on the official website before your visit.

Why go

Ouchy

Ouchy grew from a fishing village and the bishops’ lakeside port into Lausanne’s favourite promenade. The quays, inaugurated in 1901, are lined with flowers and trees and lead past three successive gardens: Denantou, Élysée and the Olympic Park.

The Château d’Ouchy — a medieval tower rebuilt in neo-Gothic style at the end of the 19th century — is today a hotel. In summer the quays fill with walkers, cyclists, swimmers and the paddle steamers leaving for Évian, Vevey and Montreux.

History

Key dates

  1. Middle Ages

    Ouchy is the lakeside port of the bishops of Lausanne, guarded by a tower.

  2. 1816

    Lord Byron writes “The Prisoner of Chillon” in an inn at Ouchy.

  3. Late 19th c.

    The medieval tower is rebuilt as the neo-Gothic Château d’Ouchy hotel.

  4. 1901

    Inauguration of the quays.

  5. Today

    The lakeside promenade extends east to Lutry and west to Saint-Sulpice.

Three gardens in a row

Walking west from the landing stage, the Denantou, Élysée and Olympic Park gardens follow one another. On the Place du Général-Guisan, the rose garden displays more than 130 varieties, and the Dapples gardens lead down to the CGN landing stages.

Continue along the shore to the Bellerive lido in summer, or east towards Pully and Lutry for a long lakeside walk.

Did you know?

1901inauguration of the quays
130+rose varieties in the rose garden
3gardens in a row along the quays
m2the metro runs from the station down to the lake
Ouchy and the Château d’Ouchy

Plan your visit

Getting there

  • Metro m2 to Ouchy-Olympique (terminus).
  • Bus 2, stop Ouchy-Olympique.
  • By boat: CGN landing stage of Ouchy.

Our tips

  • Come at sunset for the light over the Alps of Savoy.
  • Combine with the Olympic Museum, right on the quays.
  • Bring a swimsuit in summer: the lake is popular for a dip.
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Nearby attractions

Lake Geneva Paddle Steamers17Lake Geneva Paddle Steamers1 min on foot Olympic Museum02Olympic Museum7 min on foot Plateforme 1008Plateforme 1015 min on foot Esplanade de Montbenon18Esplanade de Montbenon18 min on foot

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Ouchy?

Take metro m2 from the station or the centre down to Ouchy-Olympique.

Can I visit the Château d’Ouchy?

It is a hotel today; you can admire it from the quays and its terrace.

Where do the boats leave from?

From the CGN landing stage at Ouchy, next to the château.

Is Ouchy good for families?

Yes: flat quays, gardens, play areas and the Olympic Museum nearby.

How far can I walk along the lake?

East to Lutry or west to Saint-Sulpice along the shore.

Official sources

VisitLausanne.com is an independent guide. Information is provided for planning purposes; the official websites above are the reference.