Lausanne is the capital and largest city of the Swiss French-speaking canton of Vaud. Located in Switzerland, it serves as a significant regional hub situated approximately 51.7 kilometres northeast of Geneva, which is the nearest major city.
The city is characterized by its hilly terrain on the shores of Lake Geneva, positioned roughly halfway between the Jura Mountains and the Alps. It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains across the water and is recognized as an Olympic capital. While not the de jure capital of Switzerland, Lausanne serves as a seat for the Federal Supreme Court.