Lausanne… Between Art and Lac Léman

I don’t go to Lausanne often, despite the fact it is only a short drive away from Geneva. That Saturday, we were there on a CULTURAL trip and I wanted to spend a day in a relaxed mood with Sweetheart.

After visiting the Art Brut Museum, which this year is celebrating its 40 years of existence, we walked through the city and went for lunch in the waterfront park at Ouchy, as I had prepared a delicious picnic.

Art Brut Museum (my favourite)

Musée Collection de l'Art Brut, 11 Avenue Bergières

I greatly admire and feel touched by “art brut” works. I am deeply moved by the personal stories of these artists who struggle with mental illness. Knowing that they probably find some sort of relief and succour in their lives by being part of society through their works is just FABULOUS.

Let me introduce you to one of the most well-known artists, Aloïse Corbaz (1886-1964). She was born in Lausanne. After her studies and a few jobs, she occupied a post as a governess in Potsdam at the Court of Wilhelm II. She fell in love with the emperor and experienced a passion that was entirely imaginary. Later she returned to Switzerland, and most of her remaining existence was spent in asylums and hospitals in the Lausanne region. In her works she used graphite and ink, juice from petals, crushed leaves and toothpaste. The “canvasses” for her paintings were wrapping paper, envelopes and cardboard from the back of calendars. Her work is dominated by the themes of a pair of lovers, theatre and opera.

Lausanne is full of great museums. In case you are thinking of visiting, you should bear in mind that admission is free on the first Saturday of every month. You can visit the Olympic Museum, the Elysée Museum (dedicated to photography) and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Lausanne has many other beautiful places like lac Léman (Lake Geneva) and the old town.

Of course, we saw the major sights, but the idea of ​​this getaway was really dedicated to ourselves and to the visit to the Art Brut Museum, after which we wandered around with no particular plan in mind.