Les Terreaux Chapel

Les Terreaux Chapel (Chapelle des Terreaux) in Lausanne is a former Protestant chapel at Rue des Terreaux 14. Today it is better known as the Centre culturel des Terreaux, a theatre and concert venue in the middle of the Swiss lakeside city.

What is the history of the chapel?

A first chapel stood on this spot from 1856. The building was rebuilt in 1890, with Théophile van Muyden and Henri Verrey among the architects involved, both well known for late nineteenth-century work in Lausanne. The University of Bern's inventory of Lausanne's sacred buildings places the chapel in its 1850–1900 group and lists it as Reformed.

Around the turn of the millennium the building changed purpose, moving from worship to culture. The centre has operated since 2004 and is supported by the Evangelical Reformed Church of the canton of Vaud (EERV).

What can you see and do here?

The hall seats roughly 300 people. The programme covers theatre, dance and comedy, concerts, exhibitions and debates, and the venue also runs drama classes for adults, seniors and teenagers. The foundation behind it says its aim is to present the Gospel through the arts, yet audiences of all backgrounds attend.

The building is a good example of how former city churches in Switzerland find a second life. Its nineteenth-century chapel form is still recognisable, and it now serves as a neighbourhood stage.

How do you get there?

The chapel is in central Lausanne around Rue des Terreaux, a short walk from downtown and the old town. Coordinates: 46.5230 N, 6.6280 E. You can walk from the railway station, and the city has a dense bus and metro network. Some websites list a different street for the cultural centre, so confirm the address on the organiser's site before you go.

When should you visit?

You usually see the interior as part of an event, so check the programme and book ahead. Evening performances are the best way to experience the hall in use.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chapelle des Terreaux still a church? Not in the usual sense. The building works as a cultural centre run by a foundation tied to the Reformed Church of Vaud.

When was the chapel built? The first chapel dates from 1856 and the present building from 1890.

Who designed the current building? Théophile van Muyden and Henri Verrey.

How many people does the hall hold? About 300 spectators.