Château Saint-Maire (Lausanne)

The Château Saint-Maire is a castle in the city center of Lausanne, Switzerland. It is part of the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National and Regional Significance.

The Château Saint-Maire was commissioned by the Bishop of Lausanne, and the building was constructed from 1397 to 1406. Guillaume de Menthonay began the work but was murdered by his hairdresser in 1406, so the work was completed under Guillaume de Challant. During this era, it was common to build fortresses in a large cube shape, which encompassed living quarters and defense. In the canton of Vaud, the castles of Vufflens and Blonay were also built according to the same principle.

The castle's defenses held when the citizens rebelled against the bishop in 1482. They did not succeed in taking the castle.

Bern, under the leadership of Hans Franz Nägeli, conquered Vaud in March 1536. The last Bishop of Lausanne, Sébastien de Montfalcon, had to flee, and the castle passed into Bern's possession. Nothing significant was changed on the building. Only in 1789 did the bailiff add two stories adjacent to the castle to gain more space and light. Eleven years later, in 1798, Ludwig von Büren, the last bailiff, was asked to leave the castle.

From 1811, the Small Council, now the cantonal government, took up residence. To this day, Château Saint-Maire is the seat of the canton's executive authority.

Several renovations were carried out during the 19th century. A terrace was built in one corner of the castle, and the gate was destroyed to widen the access road.

In honor of Major Davel, a statue was erected on the main facade. He spent his last night near the gate that still existed at that time.

As it is the seat of the government, the castle cannot be visited.