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Sauvabelin Tower — The full wooden observation tower rising above the grassy clearingPhoto: Gzzz · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
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Sauvabelin Tower

Viewpoints ·Lausanne ·Open now
4.73.1K
#2Viewpoints in SwitzerlandTravelers' Choice
  • Visit: 2–3 hours
  • Not step-free
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About

Sauvabelin Tower is a 35-metre wooden lookout in Lausanne's Sauvabelin forest, built from solid wood of the city's own forest.

More photos 10

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Sauvabelin Tower — The wooden tower standing above its stone base among trees Olivier Bruchez · CC BY-SA 2.0 · edited
Sauvabelin Tower — The wooden tower standing above its stone base among treesSauvabelin Tower — Lake Geneva and Lausanne spread out below the towerSauvabelin Tower — A broad view of Lausanne, the lake and distant mountainsSauvabelin Tower — Mountain peaks framed by the tower's open wooden pavilionSauvabelin Tower — The tower's narrow wooden staircase winding between beamsSauvabelin Tower — Autumn forest seen from the tower's upper levelSauvabelin Tower — The tower viewed through bare branches from the wooded slopeSauvabelin Tower — Looking upward at the tower's wooden supports and platformSauvabelin Tower — The tower's tall timber structure beneath an overcast skySauvabelin Tower — Close upward view of the tower's timber supports

Why go

  • The view from the upper platform over Lausanne, Lake Léman and the Alps.
  • The two 151-step spiral staircases, one for climbing and one for descending, around a central axis.
  • The Lausanne-La Blécherette airfield and the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise, visible from the top.

Opening hours

Today08:00 – 20:00Show all
MondayClosed
TuesdayClosed
WednesdayClosed
Thursday08:00 – 20:00
FridayClosed
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed

What you see

  • Lausanne to the south of the tower.
  • Lake Léman (Genfersee) to the south.
  • The Savoy Alps (Savoyer Alpen), seen from the tower.
  • The Jura-Kette ridge to the north, over the Sauvabelin lake.
  • The French Alps, seen from the upper platform.

Best time to visit

  • Open every day, Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 to 20:00.
  • Plan two to three hours for the visit, the suggested length.
  • The revolving gate closes during bad weather, so access depends on the weather.
  • No more than 50 people may be on the tower at once.

Shorts

History

In 1994 city councillor Pierre Payot proposed a tower built from wood of the city's own forests. Most of the construction cost, about 1.19 million francs, was covered by sponsors.

  1. 1980sProfessor Julius Natterer of the EPFL sets his students tower design tasks.
  2. 1994Councillor Pierre Payot proposes building the tower from local timber.
  3. 1996The city council approves the project in July.
  4. 1998The USDL receives the building permit.
  5. 2003Completed on 29 November; opened to the public on 15 December.

Accessibility

  • Step-free access to the top The way up is two spiral staircases of 151 steps each, one up and one down.

Sources: Tour de Sauvabelin - Wikipedia · Sauvabelin-Turm - Wikipedia · Tour de Sauvabelin - Wikipedia · checked 1 Nov 2026

Where
place de Sauvabelin, 1018

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

How long does a visit to Sauvabelin Tower take?

The suggested visit length is two to three hours. Plan that time for the climb, the view and the walk through the forest.

What are the opening hours of Sauvabelin Tower?

Sauvabelin Tower is open every day of the week from 08:00 to 20:00. A revolving gate controls access and closes in bad weather.

Is entry to Sauvabelin Tower free?

Yes. The tower has been open to the public at no charge since December 2003.

How many steps does Sauvabelin Tower have?

It has two spiral staircases of 151 steps each, 302 in all. One staircase is for climbing and the other for coming down.

How tall is Sauvabelin Tower?

Sauvabelin Tower stands 35 metres high. Its upper platform gives a 360-degree view over Lausanne and the lake.

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