Promenade Jean-Jacques Mercier

Promenade Jean-Jacques Mercier in Lausanne is a terraced hillside garden and arboretum that is easy to walk past, yet it offers one of the city's finest and least-known views. Address: 1005 Lausanne.

What kind of place is it?

A municipal promenade laid out as a stepped garden, with an esplanade, staircases and zigzag paths, all arranged symmetrically around a central axis. The city's parks department (Service des parcs et domaines) looks after it. The slope faces south and is sheltered from the bise, the cold north wind, so it can be pleasantly mild on a clear day.

Which trees grow here?

More than 350 tree species grow on the slope, many of them rare or exotic. The city singles out the monkey puzzle (araucaria), the katsura or caramel tree, the handkerchief tree and the gherkin tree. The trees were first planted in pairs to match the symmetrical plan, but some have since vanished, so the pattern is no longer perfectly regular.

How did it come about?

The hill was once covered in vineyards. In 1899 local residents objected to a large building planned on the site. In 1903 Jean-Jacques Mercier's son gave the city funds for a public park in his father's memory. Technical and geological difficulties forced the architect to lower the esplanade by three metres compared with the first plans. The promenade opened in 1910.

Further features followed. A large erratic boulder, first set up in 1903 for the centenary of Vaud's independence, was placed at the eastern end in 1911. The music kiosk dates from 1922, when the city took over the project after the architect withdrew.

How do you get there?

Stairs and zigzag paths lead up the slope, so expect a climb. The coordinates are roughly 46.5156 N, 6.6463 E, in central Lausanne. Check the TL (Transports publics de la région lausannoise) timetable for bus and metro connections.

What facilities are there?

You will find public toilets, the music kiosk, a small playground and an area where dogs are allowed. The city rates the site, toilets and parking as partly accessible for wheelchair users. Locals also use the promenade as a shortcut and a place for a stroll.

When should you go?

Entry is open and no opening hours are published. Aim for a sunny afternoon, when the southern exposure brings good light and the view from the esplanade is at its clearest. Spring and autumn add colour from blossom and foliage. A visit usually takes thirty to sixty minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. It is a public city promenade open to everyone.

Is it really an arboretum? Yes, the city describes it as one, with over 350 tree species.

Can I visit with a wheelchair or pushchair? Only partly. The terrain is steep, with stairs and zigzag paths, and the city lists accessibility as partial.

Is it suitable for families? Yes. There is a small playground, public toilets and a zone where dogs are permitted.