Lausanne -18th June

Our Swiss adventure began on the morning of Sunday, the 18th, with a train journey from Paris to Lausanne, setting the stage for an open-ended exploration of Switzerland over the next 7-8 days. Although we hadn’t planned much beyond our immediate stop, we had made a few preparations in the days leading up to our trip. Santanu had obtained some printouts from MySwitzerland.com about the Post Bus system, and we managed to book a B&B for our first night in Lausanne. We also noted a hotel address for Interlaken, but beyond that, our itinerary was fluid.

The train ride from Paris was quite relaxing. While Santanu dozed through much of it, I enjoyed the picturesque French countryside and indulged in some music on the iPod he’d brought along. The peaceful scenery was a perfect prelude to our Swiss adventure.

Arriving in Lausanne, we headed straight to the tourist office, where the staff provided us with detailed information about the city’s main attractions. However, as it was Sunday, the main Railway information center was closed, leaving us without detailed plans for the following day. Lausanne, nestled on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, is known for its Olympic Museum and the Swiss Court of Justice.

Determined to make the most of our afternoon, we set out to explore the city on foot. Our journey began along the lakeside promenade, starting at the Olympic Park and continuing to Château d’Ouchy. The views of Lake Geneva and the surrounding landscapes were breathtaking. From there, we navigated through the central market and made our way to the Gothic Cathedral via Esplanade de Montbenon. The walk, though enjoyable, was a constant ascent as we climbed up to the hilltop, offering stunning panoramic views of the city.

As we descended, we realized that our booked B&B was quite far from our current location. We decided to return to the tourist office, where the helpful staff assisted us in finding a more conveniently located hotel near the Olympic Museum. After checking in and taking a much-needed bath, we took a leisurely stroll along the lake shore, which was wonderfully relaxing.

Our tranquil evening was briefly interrupted when Santanu discovered he had left his wallet at the hotel. In a bit of a panic, we made a swift return and were relieved to find it lying safely on the bed. With that minor crisis resolved, we ended our day with a pleasant dinner at a nearby lakeside restaurant, enjoying the serene atmosphere and reflecting on our spontaneous day in Lausanne.

Our first day in Switzerland set the tone for what would become a series of memorable experiences, each discovery adding to the charm of our unplanned journey.