From the end of the 19th century, the Place Saint-François can be proud to have several buildings of architectural, commercial and financial importance.

An ostentatious style of architecture was chosen to symbolically assert their image.

Following the demolition of the old cloisters, the site became an important crossroads for the trams as well as the carriages (private means of transportation) and the first automobiles.

You will see that the buildings can be classified in three distinctive styles :

1. "Neo-Renaissance" or "eclectic".
2. "Neo-Classical"
3. "Modern, Verticalist, Art-Nouveau"

During the tour from the Galeries Saint-François to the Pont Chauderon, you will be introduced to these various architectural styles.

From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th, Lausanne went through an exceptional period of population growth mainly due to the expansion of the industrial and service sectors which involved the construction of numerous houses and commercial buildings.

On the edges of St François the buildings were turned into residential properties of high standing. They set themselves apart by the lavish interior decoration and the rich external façades.