Travel
Star-studded Swiss I
Cities of Lausanne
and Montreux
t’s hard to imagine what a noted
British poet, a famous film actor, a
celebrated French fashion designer
and the lead vocalist of the rock
band Queen could possibly have in
common. Yet each of them – Lord
Byron, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel
and Freddie Mercury – all resided, at
one point in their lives, in and around
the French-speaking region of
Lausanne and Montreux, Switzerland.
After visiting this vibrant and
alluring locale, I understand why
these celebs and so many others
have chosen to call it home.
Lausanne’s allure is widespread, from
its glorious location on Lake Geneva
and its Mediterranean ambiance to
its rich history and flourishing arts
scene. The city’s prominent
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, a 13th
century Gothic edifice with four
stately towers and no less than 105
stained glass windows, dominates
the landscape and establishes the
town’s medieval roots. Buildings
dating to the Middle Ages line the
cobblestone streets within the
picturesque city center. More than
just a pretty face, however,
Lausanne is a destination of
learning, commerce and culture
that attracts university students,
business titans and visitors from
around the globe.
Most tourists are surprised to
discover that the main headquarters
of the Federal Supreme Court has
been situated in this town since
1874 and that it has also been
home to the International Olympic
Committee since 1915. The
acclaimed, state-of-the-art
Olympics Museum, one of Lausanne’s
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