Lac de Sauvabelin

Lac de Sauvabelin is a small artificial lake set in the forest above Lausanne, in the canton of Vaud. It has been a favourite spot for Sunday outings for well over a century, and since 2003 a wooden lookout, the Tour de Sauvabelin, has stood nearby.

How did the lake come about?

In 1887 the Société de développement de Lausanne proposed creating a lake in the Sauvabelin woods to widen the leisure options for locals and a growing number of foreign visitors. The city authorities backed the plan and the lake was finished a year later. It was built for recreation: people rowed on it in summer and skated on it in winter. A restaurant opened beside it three years after the lake itself. The city calls the lake the main attraction of the whole Sauvabelin area.

What is there to see?

Forest paths run around the water, so a stroll round the lake is short and needs no preparation. Families, school groups and visitors have gathered here since the 19th century.

The standout feature is the Tour de Sauvabelin, a few minutes' walk from the restaurant. It rises more than 35 metres and has 302 steps winding up in a spiral. The structure is solid Douglas fir taken from Lausanne's own forests. The idea was put to the municipal council in 1994 and the tower was completed in 2003. It cost 1.19 million Swiss francs, with much of the money coming from donors who each bought one or more steps. From the top you get a 360-degree view. In 2014 more than 90,000 people climbed it.

How do you get there?

Take tl bus line 16 to the Signal or Lac de Sauvabelin stop. From there it is roughly five minutes on foot to the lakeside restaurant. The lake lies at about 46.5375 N, 6.6383 E.

Is the tower free, and when is it open?

Entry is free. Opening hours change with the season, so check the City of Lausanne or Lausanne Tourisme websites before you go. For safety, 30 people at most may be on the tower at once, and an automatic gate controls access. In strong wind, snow or ice the tower is closed.

When should you visit?

The lake and woods work in any season, but the tower pays off most on clear days, when the panorama is sharpest. In winter, remember that ice can shut the climb.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lac de Sauvabelin natural? No. It was created in 1888 on the initiative of Lausanne's development society as a leisure site.

How many steps does the Tour de Sauvabelin have? 302, and the tower is more than 35 metres tall.

Do I need a ticket for the tower? No, entry is free, but the tower closes in bad weather.

How do I get there from central Lausanne? Take tl bus 16 to Signal or Lac de Sauvabelin, then walk about five minutes.