Things to Do in Lausanne in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Lausanne
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Festival de la Cité transforms the old town into Europe's largest street arts festival with 1,000+ free performances over 6 days in late July/early August
- Lake Geneva reaches perfect swimming temperature of 22-24°C (72-75°F) with extended daylight until 8:30pm for evening lake activities
- Tourist crowds are 40% lower than July as families return for European school preparations, meaning shorter queues at Olympic Museum and better restaurant availability
- August thunderstorms create dramatic clearing skies perfect for Mont Blanc visibility - locals say clearest Alpine views happen 2-3 hours after afternoon storms
Considerations
- Afternoon thunderstorms arrive suddenly between 2-4pm on 10+ days, disrupting outdoor vineyard tours and lakeside dining plans
- Many local university students are away for summer break, reducing the vibrant nightlife scene that Lausanne is known for during academic months
- Hotel rates remain 25-35% higher than shoulder season due to festival period and peak summer lake season
Best Activities in August
Lake Geneva Thermal Swimming and Beach Clubs
August offers the warmest lake temperatures of the year at 22-24°C (72-75°F). Morning swims before 11am avoid afternoon storms and crowds. Lake beaches like Bellerive and Vidy are perfect for locals' favorite activity: 'plongeon' diving from platforms. The thermal contrast between lake and air creates morning mist that photographers love.
Lavaux UNESCO Vineyard Hiking with Storm-Watching
August brings grape véraison (color change) in the terraced vineyards, creating Instagram-perfect purple and green landscapes. The trick: hike early morning 6-10am before afternoon thunderstorms. Post-storm light creates the most dramatic Alpine views locals wait all year for. The Cully to Epesses route offers the best storm shelter options.
Indoor Olympic Museum and Aquatis Combo Days
Perfect for the 10+ rainy days August brings. Locals strategically plan indoor cultural days around weather forecasts. The Olympic Museum's new interactive exhibits pair perfectly with Aquatis aquarium for full-day indoor exploration. August sees 40% fewer school groups, making interactive displays actually accessible.
Covered Market Food Tours and Cooking Classes
August brings peak season for local produce - wild mushrooms, lake fish, and early autumn vegetables appear in markets. The covered Marché de la Riponne stays busy during storms. Local cooking classes focus on seasonal ingredients that aren't available other months. This is when locals preserve foods for winter.
Mont Blanc and Alpine Viewing Train Excursions
August's post-storm clearing creates the year's most dramatic Alpine views. The train to Rochers-de-Naye (2,042m/6,699ft) offers Mont Blanc visibility on 65% of August days versus 45% in July. Locals check weather apps and book same-day tickets after morning storms clear. The alpine flowers are still blooming at this elevation.
Festival de la Cité Street Performance Discovery
Late July/early August brings Europe's largest street arts festival with 1,000+ free performances. Unlike tourist crowds at major venues, locals know the best acts happen in small Old Town courtyards. The festival transforms narrow medieval streets into performance spaces you can't experience any other time of year.
August Events & Festivals
Festival de la Cité
Europe's largest street arts festival transforms Lausanne's Old Town with over 1,000 free performances. Street theater, music, dance, and circus arts take over medieval courtyards and narrow cobblestone streets. The festival creates a unique atmosphere where centuries-old architecture becomes the backdrop for cutting-edge performances.
Fêtes de Genève Fireworks Viewing
While the festival is in Geneva, Lausanne's elevated position offers spectacular views of the fireworks over Lake Geneva. Locals gather at Ouchy waterfront and Signal de Sauvabelin for the best vantage points 45 km (28 miles) away. The clear August evenings make this a magical experience.