Olympic Museum

The Olympic Museum in Lausanne is the IOC’s flagship museum on the Ouchy lakefront. It combines large interactive galleries on the Games’ history with a terraced sculpture park.

• Inaugurated on 23 June 1993 (Olympic Day) – the IOC’s official museum on Lake Geneva.
• Fully refurbished 2012–2013, reopened 21 December 2013 with a renewed multimedia concept.
• ~3,000 m² of exhibitions with ~1,500 objects and ~150 screens, from antiquity to today.
• ~8,000 m² Olympic Park with 43 sculptures and activity installations overlooking the Alps.
• Top-floor restaurant and an IOC museum shop.

• The permanent exhibition on the origins of the Games, torches, medals and athletes’ gear.
• Immersive halls with giant screens and interactives; outdoors, a light-paced “100 m” sprint.
• The terraced park with sculptures and lake views.

Planned by the IOC, the museum opened on the Ouchy waterfront in 1993, designed initially by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez with Jean-Pierre Cahen. In 1995, it received the European Museum of the Year Award.

After a major makeover in 2012–2013, it reopened on 21.12.2013 with expanded displays and media. Today the site integrates exhibition floors, event spaces, a restaurant and a sculpture garden.

Location: Quai d’Ouchy 1, 1006 Lausanne (Ouchy-Olympique district).

Getting there: Metro M2 to Ouchy-Olympique or Jordils, then ~10 min lakeside walk; buses 21/25 to Musée Olympique, 24 to Parc Musée Olympique.

Access: Ticketed entry to the building; lifts and assisted access inside, terraced park has steps.

Visiting hours: Tue–Sun 09:00–18:00, Mon closed; closed 24/25/31 Dec and 1 Jan.

Visit duration: 1.5–2 h for galleries; up to 3 h incl. park and café.

Best time: Clear days for the park; weekday mornings for quieter rooms.

Notes: Tickets – adults CHF 20, concessions CHF 14, under-15s free; Lausanne City Pass includes entry or 20% off; park free during opening hours.