Every year feels like an Olympics year in Lausanne, Switzerland. Nestled with stone buildings and historic church squares near Lake Geneva, Lausanne is home to the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Museum, where the spirit of the Games lives on year-round. While the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics are scheduled around Paris from July 26 to Sept. 8, Lausanne has much more to offer beyond its Olympic ties.
The Olympic Museum showcases the immense historical and cultural impact of the Games. Exhibits range from ancient artifacts to interactive displays about stadium architecture, athlete uniforms, and anti-doping technology. Visitors can marvel at iconic memorabilia such as Jesse Owens’ track shoes from the 1936 Berlin Games and test their skills on an outdoor track and indoor simulators. The museum grounds also feature the free Olympic Park, adorned with sports-themed sculptures and installations by artists like Fernando Botero and Alexander Calder.
In the realm of arts and culture, Lausanne’s Plateforme 10 district celebrates the Surrealist Manifesto’s centenary with exhibitions at the Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts and the Photo Elysée museum. Notable works include Salvador Dalí’s “Cygnes Se Reflétant en Éléphants” and Man Ray’s avant-garde films. Concurrently, the Hermitage Foundation marks its 40th anniversary with “Masterpieces From the Langmatt Museum,” featuring works by Renoir, Degas, and Monet. Admission prices range from 20 to 25 Swiss francs.
Lausanne’s dining scene is equally notable. New additions like Acarré offer finely crafted pastries and chocolates, while La Buvette Vaudoise, once exclusive to officials, now serves traditional Swiss fare to the public. Further enriching the culinary landscape, restaurants like L’Appart and Jajaffe blend local Swiss ingredients with eclectic and Japanese influences, offering set menus and engaging dining experiences.
Overall, Lausanne provides a blend of historic, cultural, and culinary excellence that makes it a worthy destination, beyond its Olympic fame.
Original Story https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/08/travel/lausanne-food-art-olympics.html
Category : Museums,Restaurants,Olympic Games (2024),Lausanne (Switzerland)
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