The ritual of departure
Every June, we take the same path to Zurich Pride, an event we always look forward to. The train ride from Lausanne has become a tradition in itself. We start a series, laugh at the first scenes, and soon enough, Matthieu falls asleep against the window, lulled by the rhythm of the train. Meanwhile, I watch the scenery roll by, enjoying this calm, joyful start.
Our Zurich HQ
Over the years, we’ve tried different hotels, but one stands out as our favorite: the 25 Hours Hotel Langstrasse (Langstrasse 150, 8004 Zurich). We love its location just steps from the station, in a lively, festive neighborhood. Free beers, a top-floor spa, and above all, a terrace overlooking the railway tracks — there’s something mesmerizing about watching the trains come and go in the morning.
The Pride energy
Saturday morning, things speed up. In just twenty minutes each — a personal record — we slip into our rainbow outfits. As always, the question arises: march or spectate? In the end, we do both. We dance behind the floats with the best music, we walk, we watch, we share a few gin tonics in cans.
The parade leads us all the way to the Pride village by Lake Zurich. The atmosphere is magical: colorful stalls, friendly smiles, concerts, and even free Swiss chocolate. Best of all, we bump into our brothers in the crowd — Pride always has this mix of celebration, chance and warmth.
Night at Samigo
After a break at the hotel, we head to the official party at Samigo. Perched above the lake, it offers a stunning view. The music pounds, rainbow flags wave, and the vibe is wonderfully inclusive. We dance late into the night, our bodies tired but our hearts light.
A slow Sunday
The next morning, we wake up slowly. From our room, we watch the trains rushing below, almost hypnotized. Zurich still shines with Pride colors, rainbow flags waving all around the city.
We head to Kafi Dihei for a generous brunch. Matthieu goes for a “Waffle Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich”, a surprise daily creation — an audacious mix of fluffy waffles and Korean fried chicken, sweet and savory, crispy and delicious, probably a temporary café special. After strolling through the city, we can’t resist a swim. Off to Seebad Utoquai, with its wooden decks and stairs leading straight into the lake. The water is perfect. We swim, float, soak up the sun, before heading back to the station.
Heading home with a smile
On the train back to Lausanne, a quiet silence falls between us. We’re tired but happy. As every year, Zurich Pride gave us more than just a weekend — it gave us a concentrated dose of celebration, freedom and tenderness.