Offers

For over a century, the Lausanne Palace has embodied the living elegance of Swiss hospitality. Inaugurated on June 19, 1915, at the height of the Belle Époque, this iconic five-star hotel quickly established itself as a cornerstone of Lausanne’s cultural and social life—fully integrated into the rhythm of the city. To this day, it remains a favourite among creatives, renowned personalities, and all those who appreciate the art de vivre à la lausannoise: refined, curious, and open to the world.

Throughout the decades, the Lausanne Palace has remained true to its Swiss identity while continually embracing its time. It blends legendary hospitality with contemporary audacity. The “LP spirit” combines excellence with spontaneity—a touch of irreverence that mirrors Lausanne itself, a city known for its exceptional quality of life, understated charm, and vibrant creativity.

In this setting where history and renewal meet, celebrating Swiss National Day takes on a special meaning. On August 1st, the Lausanne Palace invites guests to a unique culinary experience: an exceptional buffet paying tribute to Switzerland’s 26 cantons, served on the enchanting terrace of Le Côté Jardin, overlooking Lake Geneva and the city’s fireworks. An event that reflects the very essence of the hotel—generous, rooted, and effortlessly inspired.

A nation of flavours and stories

Behind this one-of-a-kind buffet lies a meticulous and generous approach. Chef Thierry Buffeteau explains:

“We wanted to tell the story of Switzerland in all its diversity, using local ingredients that are sometimes rare, forgotten, or little-known.”

Each canton is represented by a carefully chosen speciality—such as certified pork from Thurgau, Glarus meat pie, and the surprising Cholermues from Obwalden, a traditional sweet dish that evokes nostalgic alpine memories. Many of these recipes, unfamiliar outside their home regions, are given pride of place here—highlighting the richness and uniqueness of the Swiss culinary heritage.

This August 1st buffet is imagined as a journey that brings together authentic traditions and inspired reinterpretations—a culinary celebration of Swiss identity that remains open to the present.

The natural riches of a plural land

Often celebrated for its spectacular landscapes and watchmaking artistry, Switzerland also boasts a culinary heritage deeply rooted in its natural surroundings. Its flavours are born from alpine pastures, steep vineyards, terraced fields, and pristine forests.

Each canton has its own character—shaped by its soil, its microclimates, and its agricultural traditions. Cows graze freely on flower-filled meadows, producing milk with subtle, complex notes influenced by the local flora—gentian, clover, arnica, wild thyme. Hand-harvested herbs, heirloom grains, rugged mountain vegetables, and freshwater fish from glacier-fed lakes all contribute to a culinary identity deeply tied to the living landscape.

This organic, authentic diversity is precisely what the Lausanne Palace highlights through its August 1st buffet. To celebrate Switzerland is to honour its producers, its land, and its natural rhythms. Each bite becomes a reflection of terroir, of commitment, and of the delicate balance between tradition and transmission.

A shared spirit, A singular setting

While each dish pays tribute to a specific canton, the buffet also echoes the spirit of the Swiss Confederation itself—a celebration of community, diversity, and unity. Far from any folkloric clichés, this culinary experience is inclusive, joyful, and future-facing.

“We’re not just serving food—we’re offering an experience, telling a collective story through honest and meaningful products.”

And what better setting than Le Côté Jardin’s panoramic terrace, suspended between lake and mountains, to bring this story to life? On the evening of August 1st, the Lake Geneva fireworks provide a spectacular backdrop to a dinner that’s at once sensory, festive, and poetic.

A Swiss madeleine

Among the 26 dishes, one has particular meaning for Chef Buffeteau:

“The Cholermues really resonates with me. It’s a dish I used to eat as a child on holidays in Central Switzerland. It brings back such pure, simple memories.”

This intimate, emotional layer runs throughout the experience. At the Lausanne Palace, cooking is more than technique—it’s a way of passing down flavours, feelings, and stories.

A conscious celebration

Beyond pleasure and discovery, this buffet also reflects the broader vision of the Sandoz Foundation: that of a sustainable, responsible form of luxury, grounded in the values of place and people.

“We’re committed to working with local producers, often from small-scale Swiss farms, in line with the seasons and with respect for nature.”

Every ingredient is selected with care: certified meats, limited-production alpine cheeses, organically grown herbs, and short supply chains—all reflecting a strong environmental and ethical stance.

This aligns with the Lausanne Palace’s ambition to offer exceptional experiences rooted in the present moment, where flavour and conscience go hand in hand.

Because celebrating Swiss National Day today also means honouring those who cultivate, preserve, and pass on the authentic tastes of our regions—with respect for the land and future generations.

Why celebrate at the Lausanne Palace on August 1st?

• To experience Swiss National Day in Lausanne in a truly exceptional setting
• To savour 26 regional specialities in one unique buffet in French-speaking Switzerland
• To enjoy a summery and convivial evening on the terrace with a view of the fireworks
• To discover authentic Swiss products, often unavailable outside their canton of origin
• To celebrate Swiss culture, terroir, and hospitality at one of the country’s most iconic hotels

Practical Information

Le Côté Jardin – Lausanne Palace

Thursday, August 1st, 2025, from 7:00 p.m.

Buffet featuring 26 cantons of Switzerland

Fireworks visible from the terrace