Gruyères
Canton Fribourg

The Gruyère region, with its rolling green landscape and the peaks of the Fribourg Pre-Alps, is home to the world-famous Gruyère cheese. The picture-book little medieval town of Gruyères is perched atop a small hill.

About Gruyères

The peaceful scenery of the Gruyère region, with the Lake of Gruyère – one of the finest artificial lakes in Switzerland – is home to the black and white Fribourg cows which provide the milk for the strongly flavoured Gruyère cheese. In the middle of this picture postcard scenery, nestling between the slopes of the Moléson and the Dent du Chamois, rises the medieval, traffic-free little town of Gruyères, with its castle, surrounded by a fortified wall.

Inside the 13th century castle is a museum covering eight centuries of the architecture, history and culture of the region. In the second, smaller castle in Gruyères, St. Germain, is the HR Giger museum. It was Giger who designed the horrific fantasy figures for the Hollywood film "Alien". The museum houses the artist's most important pictures and sculptures from 1960 to the present day, and there is also an HR Giger bar.

An important part in the picturesque overall scene in the little town is played by the several restaurants serving specialities from the Gruyère region: fondue, raclette and, especially, desserts made with the excellent Gruyère double cream.

In the modern show cheesery at Gruyères you can see how the tasty Gruyère cheese is made. And to round off the tour of culinary delights: for those with a sweet tooth it would be worth taking a guided tour round the Maison Cailler The Swiss Chocolate factory in nearby Broc.

Winter

The Moléson skiing area (2003 m) is the largest skiing area in the Fribourg region. The eight lifts and 35 km of pistes offer slopes to suit all the family. The gondola lift in Charmey takes skiers up to the Vounetz (1627 m), and then you can recover afterwards in the water playgrounds. Not far from Gruyères there are also the winter sports areas of La Berra, Charmey and Jaun.

Summer

The idyllic landscape of the Gruyère region and the increasingly wild valley towards the Jaun Pass present a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers. A themed trail lets visitors discover the world of Alpine cheesemaking, linking the modern cheese dairy in Pringy-Gruyères with the Alpine dairy in Moléson-Village. Meanwhile, the counts' trail connects Gruyères and Montbovon, a route along which cheese was first exported.

Accessible according to individual's wishes and abilities. A system of tokens gives you access to all these leisure pursuits: Bobsleigh, Dowhill-scootering, Grass scooter, minigolf, Cheese dairy on the alp.

Attention: one must be taller than 1.4 m. (1.10m for the bobsleigh) You can however take a smaller child with you if you wish.

Our personal highlights

Explore Suisse Selection’s unmissable places of interest and top things to see and do during your stay.

Preferred hotels

Browse Suisse Selection’s favored luxury hotels, carefully chosen for their unmatched excellence in architecture, service, gastronomy, and comfort.

The Alpina Gstaad

An exclusive resort set on a hillside, the hotel overlooks a Swiss ski village filled with classic chalets. Gstaad’s pristine valley is surrounded by spectacular Alpine views.

At The Alpina Gstaad, each of the 56 rooms and suites uniquely embody Swiss authenticity and sophistication. Housed right at the heart of The Alpina Gstaad, the Six Senses Spa is a true sanctuary of peace and well-being, to be enjoyed by guests and locals alike. Inspired by Asian traditions and drawing its energy from the Alpine heart of the Bernese Oberland, this unique oasis of serenity offers world-renowned treatments designed to indulge the senses.

The indoor and outdoor pools located in the protective setting of The Alpina Gstaad and the unique treatments developed by our skilled practitioners round off a plethora of spa services that are renowned far beyond the borders of Switzerland.

The Alpina Gstaad’s Executive Chef, Michelin-starred Marcus G. Lindner expertly orchestrates The Alpina Gstaad’s culinary offerings – from the surprising and inventive cuisine of Japanese restaurant MEGU, to the gourmet dishes served at the Sommet restaurant, to the authentic local fare and cosy ambience of the Swiss Stübli.

Le Grand Bellevue

Le Grand Bellevue is situated in the upscale resort town of Gstaad, Switzerland. Accommodation consists of a variety of guest rooms and suites, each equipped with a flat-screen TV, in-room safe, a Nespresso machine, a minibar and an en-suite bathroom. Guests can enjoy delicious meals at any of the on-site restaurants. Other amenities offered are internet access, bars, a spa, a sauna, an outdoor relaxation pool, a fitness centre, a cinema, a tennis court and a beauty salon.

Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne

Set on ten acres of private gardens on the shore of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, the Beau-Rivage Palace exudes serenity and history. With 5 different room types and 8 different suites, guests are sure to find accommodation tailored to their needs. The hotel attracts international attention with its restaurant, Anne-Sophie Pic. It also features six other restaurants that offer local fusion as well as Japanese and Italian cuisine. Unique to this hotel is the 'Le Montreux' Steamboat which turns into a floating restaurant from June to September. The 75000 bottle wine cellar contains many vintages from the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux vineyard. The hotel’s Cinq Mondes Spa has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, nine treatment rooms and two tennis courts.

Hôtel Palafitte

Hôtel Palafitte is built on stilts on the waters of Lake Neuchatel, Switzerland. Accommodation options at the hotel include a selection between shore or lake pavilions, that feature private terraces, TVs, free Wi-Fi, office corners, telephones, coffee machines, and mini-bars. Guests can enjoy a meal at one of the

hotel's on-site restaurants, or a drink at the bar. Popular attractions include the International Watch and Clock Museum, and Latenium Park and Museum of Archaeology.

When to go

Switzerland has a moderate climate and four distinct seasons, making it an attractive year-round travel destination.