Tour Haldimand

Tour Haldimand in Lausanne is a romantic mock-medieval tower rising at the end of the Ouchy quays on Lake Geneva. It belongs to Denantou Park and is one of the most photogenic stops on the lakeside promenade.

What is the Tour Haldimand?

It is a folly: a decorative structure built to look like the remains of an old stronghold. Such features were fashionable in 19th-century landscape parks. The tower was commissioned by the banker William Haldimand, owner of the Denantou estate, and carries his name. Sources disagree on the exact date. The city of Lausanne says around 1831, while Lausanne Tourisme gives 1823 to 1825. All place it in the 1820s or early 1830s.

A local story says it came out of a friendly contest between three well-off Lausanne notables over who could build the finest "medieval" ruin. The tower stood almost with its feet in the water, and it is said to have won.

How has its setting changed?

Originally the tower stood right at the shoreline, and one tourism source even places it on a small island. That changed in 1901, when the Ouchy quays opened. The shore was extended, the tower became part of the public space and ended up as the finishing point of the promenade. The surrounding Denantou Park was turned into a large landscape park by Haldimand in 1818. In 1928 the city bought it from the sculptor Edouard-Marcel Sandoz and opened it to the public in 1929.

What will you see?

• The tower's silhouette against the lake and, in clear weather, the Alpine peaks across the water.
• Denantou Park, with mature trees and lawns for a rest.
• The Ouchy quays, with views of the harbour and the passenger boats.

The tower is part of the scenery and is admired from the outside during a walk.

How to get there and when to visit

The Tour Haldimand is in Ouchy, on the lakefront in the lower part of Lausanne. The easiest route is the M2 metro to Ouchy-Olympique, then a short stroll along the shore. It fits naturally into the popular Lake Geneva waterside walk, which you can combine with the harbour and nearby parks. Spring and summer are the best seasons, and the hour before sunset is especially pretty when the light hits the water and the stonework.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Tour Haldimand a genuine medieval tower? No. It is a 19th-century ornamental structure designed to look like a ruin.

Who built it? The banker William Haldimand, then owner of the Denantou estate, had it built.

Is there an entrance fee? No ticket is needed. You see it from the public promenade and park.

What else can I combine it with? It sits on the Ouchy promenade, so it pairs easily with a walk along the quays and the neighbouring parks.