Lausanne doesn’t tend to shout about what’s next. Change arrives quietly: through infrastructure that finally aligns, cultural moments that feel more outward-looking, and everyday upgrades that subtly reshape how the city works.
As 2026 approaches, a few developments stand out for exactly that reason. Not flashy, not overpromised — just meaningful shifts that hint at where Lausanne is heading.
A Region-Wide Cycling Network That Finally Makes Sense
From spring 2026, Lausanne and 26 surrounding communes will roll out a single bike-sharing network, replacing today’s patchwork of apps and municipal rules. Around 900 electric bikes, operated by Lime, will be available through one app, with virtual stations and designated parking zones making it easier to move across commune lines without friction.
Pricing is expected to stay in line with public transport, positioning the system for everyday use — commuting, errands, last-mile connections — rather than just fair-weather leisure rides. It’s a low-key shift, but one that could genuinely change how the region moves. More info from Ville de Lausanne can be found here.
Beaulieu’s Food Hall Begins to Take Shape — Starting This Month
Big food halls rarely appear overnight, and that’s exactly what makes what’s happening at Beaulieu so interesting. This January, the first chapter opens with Le Comptoir de Beaulieu, taking over the former Quintino space.
At the helm is Benjamin Le Maguet, a Michelin Green Star chef and Bocuse d’Or finalist who left his family restaurant in Port-Valais in 2025 to pursue more ambitious projects in Suisse romande. His cooking here leans into wild, forest-driven ingredients, local sourcing, and a quietly sustainable philosophy.
That approach carries through to the menu itself — written in a Vaudois-leaning dialect that feels conversational rather than codified. It’s not a flashy opening, but a deliberate one: a place designed for regulars, where eating well becomes part of the everyday rhythm. If this first chapter is any indication, Beaulieu’s food hall is unfolding with intention.
A Culture Moment at Plateforme 10 That Feels Truly International
In 2026, Plateforme 10 steps firmly into the international spotlight with two exhibitions that feel anything but routine.
At MCBA, a major solo show by Otobong Nkanga transforms colour, material, and landscape into an immersive experience conceived specifically for the space. Meanwhile, Photo Élysée presents new work by Hannah Darabi, exploring movement, identity, and popular dance as a form of cultural expression.
Together, they mark a moment where Lausanne isn’t just hosting exhibitions — it’s actively participating in global conversations through art.
Lausanne at the Starting Line of Something New
In August 2026, Lausanne will host the Grand Départ of the Tour de France Femmes — a moment that doesn’t come around often. For many riders, this will be their first-ever Tour, marking the beginning of a race still defining its own history.
Expect familiar streets to transform, the lakefront to buzz, and the city to feel briefly at the centre of a global story. You don’t need to follow every stage to feel it. Catching the peloton flash past for a few seconds is enough to register the shift: history doesn’t always arrive with fireworks...sometimes it just rides through town.
A New Tram Line That Reshapes How Lausanne Moves
In 2026, Lausanne’s transport map gets a long-awaited update with the opening of Tram T1, connecting Lausanne-Flon to Renens-Gare by tram for the first time in decades.
Currently scheduled for a mid-to-late 2026 launch, the new line promises fast, frequent service across the west of the city, improving daily commutes and regional connections. It’s one of those infrastructure projects that quietly changes habits. And once it’s running, it’s hard to imagine getting around without it.
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None of these shifts will radically reinvent Lausanne -- and that’s exactly the point. Together, they suggest a city growing more connected, more outward-looking, and more comfortable in its own rhythm. The kind of change you don’t necessarily notice all at once, but feel over time, as moving through the city becomes just a little easier, richer, and more intuitive.
