Major Abraham Davel

The Major Davel monument in Lausanne sits on Place du Château, leaning against the façade of the Château Saint-Maire in the old quarter of La Cité. The bronze figure honours a man the people of Vaud regard as a national hero, and it is one of the most photographed spots on the cathedral hill.

Who was Major Davel, and why is there a statue?

Abraham Davel (1670–1723) was an army officer serving Bern, the power that ruled the Vaud region at the time. He became convinced that the Vaudois should throw off Bernese rule. In 1723 his attempt to take control of Lausanne failed and he was arrested. He was held in the Château Saint-Maire, sentenced to death on 17 April, and beheaded at Vidy on the shore of Lake Geneva on 24 April 1723. In Vaud he became the emblem of the drive for independence, and after the canton was founded in 1803 his memory entered the official civic tradition.

What will you see there?

The statue dates from 1898 and is the work of sculptor Maurice Reymond de Broutelles. It pairs bronze with a marble base. Inscriptions on the plinth name the artist and the foundry, and the monument is dedicated to Davel and to the citizens of the canton of Vaud. The figure looks toward the hall of the Grand Conseil, the cantonal parliament, and has kept watch over the square for more than a century.

The castle behind it now houses cantonal authorities. It is also where Davel awaited his sentence, so the statue's position carries real historical meaning.

Where else can you follow Davel's story in Lausanne?

• Vidy: a stele in Louis Bourget Park stands where the scaffold was placed. Its inscription says Davel gave his life for his country on 24 April 1723.
• Lausanne Cathedral: a plaque commemorating him was installed in 1839.
• 24 April: each year on the anniversary, members of the Zofingia student society walk from the Château Saint-Maire down to the Vidy monument, retracing his last journey.

How do you get there?

Place du Château is on the La Cité hill, a few minutes on foot from the cathedral. From the train station, walk up through the old town, or take the M2 metro to Riponne-M. Béjart and climb the stairs. The monument is in the open, with no tickets and no opening hours.

When should you visit?

The statue can be seen all year. Daylight gives the best photos, when the sun lights the castle wall. To catch the tradition in action, come on 24 April. The square is quiet, so a stop takes only a few minutes, and it combines easily with the rest of the neighbourhood.

What else is nearby?

La Cité offers plenty to pair with the visit. The Gothic cathedral is a short walk away, though its rose window is closed until spring 2027 for vault renovation. On Place de la Palud you will find the city's oldest fountain and a clock that shows scenes from Vaud history every hour. The lanes of the old town hold small bistros and craft workshops.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Davel statue? On Place du Château in Lausanne, against the façade of the Château Saint-Maire.

Who made it? Maurice Reymond de Broutelles, in 1898, in bronze and marble.

Is there an entrance fee? No. The monument stands outdoors on a public square.

Where was Davel executed? At Vidy, on the shore of Lake Geneva. A stele in Louis Bourget Park marks the spot.