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Switzerland Lausanne Canton of Vaud Observation deck

Sauvabelin Tower

About

Sauvabelin Tower is one of Lausanne’s most distinctive viewpoints, a spiralling wooden structure rising above the Sauvabelin forest. Completed in 2003, it was built entirely from local timber, making it both an architectural statement and a celebration of Vaud’s woodland heritage. Its design—an open, corkscrew staircase wrapped around a central column—creates a striking silhouette among the treetops. Climbing the tower is the main experience. The 302‑step ascent feels surprisingly light thanks to the airy structure, and at the top you’re rewarded with one of the best panoramas in the region. The viewing platform offers a full 360‑degree sweep: Lake Geneva shimmering below, the Alps on the horizon, and the patchwork of Lausanne’s neighbourhoods stretching across the hills. On clear days, Mont Blanc appears like a distant beacon. An interesting fact is that the tower was conceived as a sustainable landmark. Its wooden construction reduces environmental impact, and its location encourages visitors to explore the surrounding Sauvabelin Park, with its lake, wildlife, and walking trails. The tower has become a beloved symbol of Lausanne’s blend of nature and urban life.

Lausanne Switzerland
Sauvabelin Tower
Location

Sauvabelin Tower stands in the Sauvabelin Forest, a green hilltop just north of Lausanne’s city center in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Built in 2003 entirely from local Douglas fir, the 35-meter wooden structure is reached by a double spiral staircase of 151 steps. From the viewing platform, visitors get sweeping 360° views over Lausanne, Lake Geneva, the Lavaux vineyards, the Jura Mountains, and the Swiss and French Alps. On clear days Mont Blanc is visible in the distance. The tower is surrounded by popular outdoor spots. A few minutes’ walk away is Lake Sauvabelin, a small artificial lake where you can rent rowboats in summer, ice skate when it freezes, and relax at a lakeside restaurant with picnic areas. Next to it, the free Sauvabelin Animal Park shelters native wildlife like red deer, wild boar, goats, sheep, and peacocks along shaded forest paths. From the tower, Lausanne’s Old Town is about a 15-minute walk downhill. There you’ll find the Gothic Lausanne Cathedral, the cobbled Place de la Palud with its animated clock, and lively cafés. Down by the water, the Ouchy district offers The Olympic Museum, lakeside promenades, and boat cruises across Lake Geneva. The Lavaux vineyard terraces, a UNESCO site, are also a short trip east. The tower is free to climb and open daily, though it may close during icy conditions. Buses from central Lausanne stop near the forest entrance.

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