Contemporary and classical dance, theatre and music are all represented in Lausanne by some of Switzerland’s best performers. The Théâtre de Beaulieu, 10 Avenue des Bergières (%021/643 21 11), is the main venue for full-scale classical music productions – the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande performs here regularly when not in Geneva – and is also famous as the place where the highly acclaimed Béjart Ballet presents new material every June and November. The Opéra de Lausanne performs at Beaulieu too, as well as at its home at 12 Avenue du Théâtre (%021/310 16 00), while the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne stages concerts at the Salle Métropole (%021/311 11 22), also the venue for many Béjartproductions. The arts centre at Rue Sevelin 36 is the home of contemporary dance, with continuous seasons of productions year-round. Don’t miss the cycle of free concerts – mostly, but not exclusively, organ recitals – in the Cathedral, every Friday evening from June to September, with extra concerts around Easter, Whitsun and Christmas.

Plenty of cinemas around town show latest releases, often with afternoon shows in the original language (v.o., or version originale) and evening shows dubbed into French. The Cinématheque Suisse, housed in the casino in Montbenon park (%021/331 01 01) has a continually changing programme of non-commercial movies from Europe and around the world, sometimes (but rarely) with English subtitles.

The Théâtre de Vidy, 5 Avenue É-Jacques-Dalcroze (%021/619 45 45) is one of Europe’s premier theatres, with innovative productions and extremely high standards – but universally in French. The city also has dozens of smaller spaces for classical and contemporary drama, and cabaret: L’Atelier Volant, 12 Rue des Côtes-de-Montbenon (%021/311 52 80) and Le Lapin Vert, 2 Ruelle du Lapin-Vert (%021/320 09 94) are renowned, while Théâtre de l’Arsenic, 57 Rue de Genève (%021/625 11 36) is a Flon-based alternative theatre venue.

Tickets can be had direct from the venue; from the centralized Service Culturel Migros-Vaud, 12 Passage St-François (%021/318 71 71); or from tourist offices or the city information office.