Palais de Rumine | Lausanne

Information

Landmark: Palais de Rumine
City: Lausanne
Country: Switzerland
Continent: Europe

Palais de Rumine, Lausanne, Switzerland, Europe

The Palais de Rumine is a monumental 19th-century building in the Neo-Renaissance style, located at Place de la Riponne 6, 1005 Lausanne.

Visual Characteristics

The palace is characterized by its grand facade, ornate stonework, and a central hall featuring a wide, sweeping staircase. It stands as a prominent architectural landmark on the eastern side of the Place de la Riponne. The interior maintains high-vaulted ceilings and classical detailing, housing multiple institutions within its wings.

Location & Access Logistics

Public Transport: Metro M2 to the "Riponne-Maurice Béjart" stop. The palace is immediately adjacent to the station exit.

Pedestrian: Accessible via the "Escaliers du Marché" from the Lausanne Cathedral or directly from the city's central shopping districts.

Vehicle: Underground parking is available directly beneath the Place de la Riponne.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The palace was built using a legacy of 1.5 million Swiss francs left to the city by Gabriel de Rumine, a Swiss aristocrat of Russian descent. Construction began in 1892 and was completed in 1906. It originally served as the main building for the University of Lausanne before the university moved to its current Dorigny campus. The structure is built into the base of the Cité hill, a molasse sandstone formation.

Key Highlights & Activities

The Palais de Rumine currently houses several cantonal museums and a major library:

Cantonal Museum of Archeology and History: Features artifacts from the region's prehistoric and Roman past.

Cantonal Museum of Zoology: Contains an extensive collection of taxidermy, including a famous great white shark.

Cantonal Museum of Geology: Documents the geological formation of the Alps and the Lemanic basin.

Cantonal and University Library (BCU): Provides a grand historic reading room and extensive collections.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Accessibility: The building is equipped with ramps and elevators, making the museum levels accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

Admission: Access to the permanent collections of the cantonal museums within the palace is generally free of charge.

Digital: 5G signal strength is excellent in the surrounding square and throughout the building.

Best Time to Visit

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Mondays).

Strategy: Combine a visit with the local market held at Place de la Riponne on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

Facts & Legends

A verified fact: The Palais de Rumine hosted the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923, which established the boundaries of modern Turkey. Technical detail: The building’s design by Lyonnais architect Gaspard André was selected through an international competition that drew 45 entries.