Lausanne, with its magnificent Alpine backdrop, hugs the shores of Lake Geneva and gazes across the sparkling waters at French city Les Evians les Bains. Capital of the canton Vaud, Lausanne is located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, with French, German and Italian, respectively, the most widely spoken languages. Roughly 40% of the population comprises foreign nationals, lending a particularly international flavor to the city. Headquarters to the International Olympic Committee (hence French being the official language of the Olympics), the city is also famed for its universities and research institutes, such as its École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and HEC Lausanne (Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Lausanne), which ranked 12th in the Financial Times’ 2012 MBA rankings. Famed for fondu, fresh water perch, and regional chef Philippe Rochat's restaurant l'Hotel de Ville, eating out in Lausanne is always gratifying. Ensconced between two extensive wine-growing regions, the local restaurants often boast impressive wine lists. Singles and couples would likely opt for the thriving center of Lausanne, while families may prefer the calmer residential areas of Pully and Lutry, both of which are close to the lake and its many recreational activities, and which have good transport connections and bilingual schools. City living is never dull here. Lausanne boasts a diverse and rich cultural calendar: its musical and performing arts scene includes the Béjart Ballet, the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, the Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne and the Prix de Lausanne, a famous, week-long international dance competition. Every July, Lausanne’s residents revel in the "Festival de la Cité", held in the old part of town, while underground film and music festivals make for an exciting and enriching city experience. Served by extensive local, national and international passenger trains and a fantastic commuter rail, metro and bus system, Lausanne is an easy city to move in and around.