Location:
The symposium will take place in the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland. Specifically at the SwissTech Convention Center on campus, pictured below. Please feel free to visit their website.
Directions:
The most convenient location to fly into to reach Lausanne is Geneva Airport, which is about 1 hour away from Lausanne by train. The other suitable option would be Zurich Airport which is about 2.5 hours from Lausanne, again by train.
Directions from the airports of Geneva and Zurich to EPFL can be found on EPFL’s official website here; however, in essence, EPFL can be reached from either airport by taking the train to either Lausanne Gare or Renens VD and then taking the metro. A detailed set of directions on how to reach the SwissTech Convention Center from the airports has been prepared and will be made available to the participants as the symposium draws nearer.
EPFL and Lausanne:
Participants may also wish to further explore the university campus as well as the city of Lausanne itself. A variety of activities and an overview of some of the best attractions in the area can be found on Lausanne Tourisme’s website.
Some photos of EPFL and Lausanne are included below to give you an idea of some of the places you may be able to visit during your time here.
The Rolex Learning Center (EPFL’s library)
EPFL is located at a five minute’s walking distance from the shores of Lake Geneva. Many students frequently make their way down to the shore. Our library, pictured above, is also a popular location for students to spend their time. The library is open to the public and we feel its unique architecture makes it well worth a visit.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame of Lausanne
At the shore of Lake Geneva lies Lausanne, the beautiful capital of Vaud, one of the twenty-six cantons of Switzerland. The “Olympic city” hosts the headquarters of the Inetrnational Olympic Committee as well as the well-known Olympic Museum and is continuously developing and puting effort into making life enjoyable, exciting, culturally challenging, and sustainable. The location at the Swiss Riviera provides an inspiring and dynamic ambiance for learning, working and relaxing. The cathedral, pictured above, is found near the center of Lausanne and offers a great view of the surrounding area.
The Olympic Museum
Lausanne is also home to the Olympic Museum, the largest archive of the Olympic Games in the world. The museum attracts over 250,000 people every year and is very interactive, making it an enjoyable experience for young and old alike. The museum also features a restuarant whose terrace offers a lovely view over the lake in the summer months. For more information you can have a gander at their official website.
Vineyards near Grandvaux (10 minute train ride from Lausanne)
It is highly recommended to take the time to go for a walk in this area. One possibility is to walk from the station of Grandvaux (30 meters from the location of this photo) down to Cully (which can be seen in the photo by the lake). Both have train stations leading to Lausanne. Another, slightly longer, hike can be found here.
