Château Saint-Maire
A 15th-century brick-and-stone castle on the highest point of the old town. It was once the bishop's residence and is now the seat of the Vaud cantonal government. Only the exterior can be viewed.
Château Saint-Maire was built between 1397 and 1427 as the castle residence of the bishops of Lausanne. Its lower part is stone and its upper part is brick, which is rare in Switzerland. Under Bernese rule it became the governor's residence. Today it houses the Vaud cantonal government, and the interior is generally closed to the public. It stands on the highest point of the old town, a few hundred meters north of the cathedral, and the small square in front offers views over the city. It's a 5-minute walk from the cathedral.
Opening hours
Exterior visible all day
Nearby sights
- Palais de Rumine
- Lausanne Cathedral
- Musée Historique de Lausanne
- Escaliers du Marché
- Fondation de l'Hermitage
- Place de la Palud
- Église Saint-François
- Le Flon