Parc de Milan

Parc de Milan in Lausanne is a public park of roughly 11 hectares, set between the main railway station and the shore of Lake Geneva. A flat open lawn, the Place de Milan, sits below the wooded Montriond hill, and the cantonal botanical garden lies right next door.

What will you see at Parc de Milan?

The park has two distinct sides. The lower part is a broad grass field used for football, picnics and lazy afternoons. Above it rises the steep Montriond knoll, covered in woodland. Chestnut trees were once planted there; today beeches, oaks and ash trees dominate. Paths on the hill give views over the surroundings, and at its foot the Cantonal Botanical Museum and Gardens form one continuous green area with the park. There is also a pétanque court off Avenue de Milan.

Is it good for kids?

Yes. The park is known for its playground, which the city renovated in two phases. In 2023 the old landmark tower was swapped for a new cat-shaped play tower with a large slide and a smaller one.

Where does the name come from, and what is the history?

The land belonged to the former Montriond-le-Crêt estate, which stayed private for a long time. Lausanne bought it in 1894 for CHF 380,000, wanting to give its new residential districts a promenade on a par with those of European capitals. As early as 1886 a local development society had floated the idea of a leisure park with a festival ground. The name is a nod to Milan: in 1905 Milan's council named a new street Via Losanna to mark the opening of the Simplon tunnel, and Lausanne answered by calling the promenade west of the hill Place de Milan. The university's botanical garden only moved up the hill in 1937, under architect Alphonse Laverrière.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

The park is in the city centre, a short walk from the main station toward the lake (about 46.514 N, 6.623 E). Address: Avenue de Milan, 1007 Lausanne. Entry is free. The city presents it both as a neighbourhood park and as a showcase for its green spaces. Warm days are the best time, when the lawn and the hill fill with families and walkers; in spring and summer, pair the visit with the botanical garden.

Frequently asked questions

Is Parc de Milan free? Yes, it is an open public park.

How big is it? About 11 hectares.

What is next to it? The Cantonal Botanical Museum and Gardens, at the foot of Montriond hill.

Why is it called Milan? It commemorates an exchange of gestures between Lausanne and Milan in 1905, tied to the Simplon tunnel.