Gruyères & Gruyères Castle
Château de Gruyères
A medieval hilltop town in the home of Gruyère cheese, where a 13th-century castle, a cheese workshop and a chocolate factory can be visited in one day.
Gruyères lies at the foot of the mountains in the canton of Fribourg. Its stone-paved main street leads to the 13th-century Château de Gruyères, with the former counts’ chambers, a knights’ hall and gardens inside (admission about CHF 13). The town also has the HR Giger Museum, honoring the designer of Alien, and the Alien Bar. At La Maison du Gruyère beside the station at the foot of the hill, visitors can see Gruyère cheese being made. Nearby, in Broc, the Maison Cailler is a Nestlé-owned chocolate factory where you can taste the products. From Geneva it takes about 2 hours by train (changing at Palézieux, or at Lausanne and Bulle), or about 1 hour 20 minutes by car, making it a classic day trip from Geneva.
Opening hours
Castle approx. 09:00–18:00 (until 17:00 in winter)
Nearby sights
- Maison Cailler
- Moléson
- Rochers-de-Naye
- Les Pléiades
- Blonay–Chamby Museum Railway
- CGN Belle Époque Paddle Steamers
- Montreux Jazz Festival
- Montreux Lakeshore & Freddie Mercury Statue