<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-76630" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/68030/Lausanne-Guide.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /><h2>Lausanne</h2>Part of the French speaking area of Switzerland and capital and largest city of the Vaud canton. Lausanne is the fourth largest city in Switzerland, part of the Geneva metropolitan area and home to around 150,000 people.Starting life as a Roman military settlement, Lausanne came under the rulership of the Dukes of Savoy and the Bishop of Lausanne. In the 17th Century it became a place of refuge for French Huguenots and became a centre of protestanism in Europe. T.S. Elliott composed The Wasteland while staying here.Nowadays, Lausanne is well known as a conference destination as well as being a centre for the service industry. Man tourists come to Lausanne for its varied culture, fantastic architecture, luxurious reputation and surprisingly thriving gay scene.&nbsp;<h2>Gay Rights in Switzerland</h2>For gay rights in Switzerland, please visit our <a href="https://www.travelgay.com/essential-guide-to-zurich/">Gay Zurich City Guide page</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Gay Scene</h2>Although Zurich has the most vibrant gay scene in Switzerland, Lausanne is a close contender with a lively selection of <a href="https://www.travelgay.com/lausanne-gay-bars/">gay bars</a>, <a href="https://www.travelgay.com/lausanne-gay-dance-clubs/">dance clubs</a> and <a href="https://www.travelgay.com/lausanne-gay-saunas/">saunas</a> catering for gay customers. The large student population gives the city a youthful vibe which makes a not out here a fun and welcoming experience.&nbsp;<h2>Getting to Lausanne</h2>By planeLausanne does not have an international airport of its own, however Geneva Airport (GVA) is located about 60km west of Lausanne. It is well connected to locations in Europe and offers a decent range of long-haul flights to destinations in North America, the Middle East and China. It gets busy during ski season.From the airport, you can take a train to Lausanne from the airport train station. A one way ticket costs 27 CHF and can be purchased from a machine on the platform (you cannot buy one onboard). Journeys take around 50 minutes and leave about 4 times every hour during the day (this becomes less frequent later on in the day and earlier).A taxi from Geneva Airport to Lausanne will be expensive, costing in the region of 200 CHF. Some hotels, however, include free airport shuttles so it is worth researching whether this applies to your hotel. Car hire is available at the airport and is a good way to get from A to B under your own steam.By trainLausanne is well connected to the Swiss rail network. It also offers a few international connections to Paris, Milan and Venice.By boatLake ferry boats serve both the French and Swiss sides of Lake Geneva. They aren't the quickest way of getting around and are mostly popular with tourists who have time to kill. Lunch and dinner cruises are especially popular.&nbsp;<h2>Getting around Lausanne</h2>On footDue to Lausanne's compact size, getting around by foot is the best way to take in its sights. It is however quite a hilly city so this could potentially get tiring after a day of sightseeing.By public transportLausanne has two metro lines, local train connections and a wide-ranging bus network. Tickets can be purchased from machines at stops and are priced by zone. A three stop bus ticket starts at 1.80 CHF and day passes start at 7.60 CHF within the downtown area.The metro runs from 5am to 1am and the times do not vary much depending on what day it is. Services come close to every ten minutes during daytime hours. Buses are pretty regular during the day but there is a late night bus service from 1am to 4am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.By taxiTaxis are expensive in Switzerland so it is only really advised to take a taxi if it is absolutely neccessary. The best deals can be found by pre-ordering through smaller local taxi firms that do not employ many drivers. There are taxi ranks across the city and Uber is available here.&nbsp;<h2>Where to Stay in Lausanne</h2>For our list of recommended hotels, please check our <a href="https://www.travelgayhotels.com/Place/Lausanne.htm">Gay Lausanne Hotels page</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Things to See &amp; Do</h2>Olympic Museum - despite Lausanne never hosting an Olympic Games itself, the International Olympic Committee is based here. This museum displays items from the modern games history, as well as providing information on the classical games and exhibiting sports related artwork.Farmers' Market - on Saturdays and Wednesday's there is a farmers' market in the old town which provides the best way of sampling Swiss delicacies and is a good spot to buy gifts.Palais de Rumine - despite looking as if it was built in the Renaissance, this building was actually built a lot later. Inside you will find a wide variety of museums covering everything from fine arts to zoology.Casino de Montbenon - home to the Swiss Film Archives and a multi-genre performance and arts space. This is a great spot to take in a bit of culture.Lausanne Cathedral - a fairytale cathedral in the Gothic style. A trip up to the tower offers some of the best views Lausanne has to offer.Sauvabelin Forest - an area of stunning natural beauty outside the city centre. This is a great spot in the summer for a romantic stroll or a picnic on the shores of the lake.&nbsp;<h2>When to Visit</h2>Weather wise, the best time to visit Lausanne is in the summer months as temperatures float around the mid twenties without climbing too high. Lausanne does experience quite a large number of tourists in the summer and can get crowded. Winters can get very cold but the city is quieter around this time.Lausanne has a varied programme of events held in the city throughout the year. From the end of June to the end of September, the Lausanne Festival takes place which brings a wide range of free cultural events to the city's streets. In November and December there is a popular festival of lights that transforms the city.<h2></h2><h2>Visa</h2>Switzerland is within the Schengen visa area. If travelling from outside Europe, you should check to see if you require a Schengen visa.&nbsp;<h2>Money</h2>The Swiss currency is the Swiss Frank (CHF). Prices in Switzerland are generally far higher than in other parts of Europe.

Gay Lausanne · City Guide

First time in Lausanne? Then our gay Lausanne City Guide page is for you.

The new law of same sex marriage for Switzerland also guarantees adoption rights for same sex couples.

The ability for same-sex couples to legally adopt a child.

Step child and single options since 2018. Full legalization pending. It will become legal when gay marriage becomes legal.

Under the registered partnership act same sex couples are not able to adopt their partner’s child.

Consensual age is Switzerland is 16 years old, unless the difference in age between the persons involved is not more than 3 years.

The difference between legal age of consent for homosexual sex and heterosexual sex.

New blood donation rules are now based on an updated risk assessment of various sexual behaviours and are equally applied to all people regardless of sexual orientation.

The ability for MSMs (men who have sex with men) to donate blood or tissue for organ transplants. A deferral period refers to a waiting time before a man can donate after having sex.

In early May 2017, the National Council approved a motion calling on all restrictions on gay and bisexual men donating blood to be lifted. According to the National Council, only risky behaviour should be a factor for blood donation, not one's sexual orientation. The motion, introduced by the Conservative Democrats, was approved 97–89.[66] However, this was rejected by the Council of States on 29 November 2017.[67] The 1 year deferral period for gay and bisexual men donating blood therefore remains in place.

In Switzerland, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.

Censorship or prohibition of discussing, promoting, or teaching LGBTQ+ topics in media, schools, and in the general public.

Change of sex is legal though there are now specific laws concerning the matter. In 1993, the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland stated that a change of sex should be "irreversible"; many judges interpreted it as the person had to go under surgery. In 2012, the Federal Department of Justice and Police via its Federal Office for Civil Registration released a statement about how transsexualism should be handled by cantonal Register offices. The FOCR stated that the Judges and Authorities should cease to oblige a person to go through forced sterilisation in order to have their sex change recognised. Furthermore, a person is granted to choose his or her gender according to his or her social gender and not anymore according to his or her biological gender.

Legal recognition of sex reassignment by permitting a change of legal gender on an individual's birth certificate.

On this date, Neuchâtel banned conversion therapy. Neuchâtel is a canton of Switzerland, of which there are 26. In the other 25 member states of the Swiss Confederation, conversion therapy remains legal.

Legal status of conducting sexual orientation changing therapy ("ex-gay" therapy)

Since 2020, an amendment to Article 261 bis of the Criminal Code (1937) penalises discrimination based on "sexual orientation" in the provision of goods and services. Article 261 bis of the Criminal Code was amended to include “sexual orientation” in the provision that criminalises public denigration, discrimination, or incitement to those actions, as well as the public dissemination of ideologies that aim to systematically denigrate or defame members of a protected group.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Laws in force in Switzerland do not offer protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in employment, including hiring, promotion, termination, harassment, etc.

Medical and psychological support designed to help individuals transition to the gender they identify with, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and surgeries.

Homosexual acts were not mentioned anymore in the revision of the Penal Code of 1991. Therefore the age of consent was lowered to 16 years old for all consenting sexual intercourse.

Consensual sexual activity between individuals of the same sex.

The Swiss Penal Code introduced in 1942 allowed same sex acts between adults (above 20 years old), but punished homosexual intercourse with people between 16 and 20 years old (while allowing heterosexual acts)

Laws in force in Switzerland do not offer protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and “gender identity in housing.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity when applying for housing or discrimination by landlords / property owners.

Medical interventions performed on intersex infants to alter their genital appearance to conform to typical male or female standards, often without the informed consent of the child who is too young to participate in the decision-making process.

Switzerland approved same-sex marriage with a national referendum.

Marriage and marriage recognition between two people of the same biological sex and/or gender identity.

Swiss Registered Partnership is a Civil Union that grants equal rights to Marriage but differs on three points: access to Fertility treatment, Adoption and facilitated Swiss naturalisation.

Code pénal suisse. Code pénal militaire (Infraction contre l'intégrité sexuelle): Modification du 21 juin 1991 pp 63-78. Switzerland has yet to allow Trans people to serve in the military 

The ability for homosexuals to serve in the military and be open about their sexuality.

Switzerland does not currently legally recognize non-binary identities.

Legal recognition of non-binary, genderqueer, or third gender identities.

Switzerland

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Gay Lausanne Guide. The best gay-rated hotels, gay saunas, gay cruise clubs and more in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Gay Lausanne Guide 2024 - gay bars, clubs, saunas & more

Lausanne

Lausanne, the Swiss capital of the canton of Vaud, is home to many heritage sites, museums, festivals and some of best-known ski slopes in the world.

Large, friendly gay sauna in Lausanne. 
 
Top Club features with jacuzzi, steam rooms, sauna, lockers, restrooms, video lounge, bar, private cabins, gym massage service. Same owner since 1984.

Top Club Lausanne gay sauna main

Top Club

Large, friendly gay sauna in Lausanne. 
 ...

Stylish lounge bar with cosy, cosmopolitan atmosphere in the heart of Lausanne - great for afterwork drinks or pre-clubbing hangout. 
 
GT's Lounge also hosts private events, birthdays, themed events, various LBGT evenings and weekend parties with DJ's in their basement club Backstage.

GTs Lounge Bar Lausanne gay bar main 1

GT's Lounge Bar

Stylish lounge bar with cosy, cosmopolitan atmosph...

MY HOUSE is a new clubbing venue for the LGBTQI community in Lausanne. The air-conditioned venue features a dance floor, bar, VIP lounge and smoking area. 
 
The party takes place on Friday and Saturday nights from 11pm. Visit their Facebook page for details for upcoming events.

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MY HOUSE Club

MY HOUSE is a new clubbing venue for the LGBTQI co...

Switzerland's largest and most popular gay sauna, located in Lausanne city centre, a 5-minute walk from the railway station. 
 
Pink Beach (1989) has two floors (1,650 m²) and features dry sauna, steam bath, whirlpool, relaxing cabins, cinema, maze, TV lounge, smoking room, snack bar, free WiFi, dark room and lots of play space. 
 
Weekly themed events include Twin Days, X-perience Night, Journée Mixte - check the website for agenda.

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Pink Beach

Switzerland's largest and most popular gay sauna.

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