Lausanne
Lausanne is in the other direction for us—about thirty minutes away, and still along Lake Geneva. Big lake, eh? The lakefront, called Ouchy (seriously!), is a really great place to stroll. The boardwalk is lined with docked sailboats, a playground, and filled with the sound of kids laughing. Along the way, you can pick up a burger and fries or a yummy ice cream treat. But, beware of the seagulls … those bastards will dive-bomb your fries if you turn your back for a second!
A stroll here is punctuated with ornate plantings (somebody really loves to garden in this town!) and breathtaking views of the lake and neighboring France. If you walk far enough, you’ll hit the Olympic Museum, which I was very impressed by. (Okay, is professing my love for CERN and the Olympic Museum in a few breaths proving that I am a super-dork?) Beautiful hotels and sidewalk cafes along the promenade complete the picture-postcard scene.
Lausanne’s Old Town also has its share of charm. Set up on a hill, it is surrounded by shops. And there is a cathedral, as you would expect in any respectable old town. The place has a good vibe with the mix of modern shops and cobblestone streets. One word of caution: Lausanne is a three-dimensional city. You’ll be doing a lot of walking up hill. Feel the burn, baby!
One of the most random—and interesting—things to visit in Lausanne is its Musée de l’Art Brut. Brut means rough or crude and that is exactly what the artwork is like. I’ve just never seen a collection like it before. The best word to describe the pieces is “intense.” The artists, many of whom created their work as a hobby, all display an intense passion for their work in their heavily saturated canvases. It’s sensory overload!
Vevey
If you move farther along the lake, you’ll eventually run into Vevey along the Swiss Riviera—about forty-five minutes from Nyon. Ooo la la! Vevey, as mentioned in a previous Story from the Land of Cheese, is just so dramatic. The mountains in France literally dive into the lake and the view is just spectacular. Again, there is a beautiful path along the water with colorful overflowing flowerboxes. And, to top it off, there is a double-decker carousel overlooking the lake, a statue of Charlie Chaplin surrounded by roses, and a big fork statue sticking out of the lake along the shore (marking the spot of the Nestlé Food Museum).
