Episode 118: Visiting Gruyères – A Guide to Switzerland’s Most Charming Medieval Town
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Looking for the perfect mix of history, food, and stunning scenery in Switzerland? Gruyères, a picturesque medieval town in La Gruyère region, has it all!
Famous for its Gruyère cheese and Swiss chocolate, this charming region offers unforgettable attractions like the 13th-century castle, Château de Gruyères, La Maison Cailler chocolate factory, La Maison du Gruyère cheese factory and Alpine landscapes that will take your breath away.
In this episode, I’m joined by Marta and Romaine from La Gruyère Tourism as we uncover the best ways to explore this unique part of Switzerland. Learn about the La Gruyère Day Pass, can’t-miss festivals, and hidden gems like the Gorges de la Jogne.
Whether it’s hiking, skiing, visiting museums and thermal baths, or indulging in world-class gastronomy, there’s something here for everyone.
Tune in and discover why Gruyères is the perfect addition to your Switzerland itinerary!
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Show Notes
In this episode you’ll learn about:
- Why Gruyères is a must-visit destination
- What to do in Gruyères if you can only visit for one day
- More great things to do in Gruyères
- Local events that are not to be missed
- Gruyères’ gastronomical offerings
- Hidden gems to discover when you visit Gruyères
Our Guests
Marta Flack holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and French and in 2014, she successfully completed her Master’s degree in International Management at the University of Economics in Prague (VŠE) and Aalto University in Helsinki. Her professional career includes roles in various television productions in Germany.
Since 2017, she has worked in Switzerland, including as the interim director of the tourist information center in Thyon-Les Collons. Since 2022, she has been serving as the Managing Director of La Gruyère Tourisme.
Romaine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism from the HES (Haute école spécialisée), obtained in 2018.
After completing her studies, she gained valuable experience in communication across various sectors before returning to the tourism industry.
Since September 2024, Romaine has been serving as the Marketing Manager at La Gruyère Tourisme.
Places, events and gastronomy mentioned in this episode
>> Gruyères Castle – a 13th century castle that sits on a hilltop in the town of Gruyères. Guided and self-guided tours of the castle are available, giving visitors the chance to learn about the history of the region.
>> La Maison du Gruyères – home of Gruyère cheese, visitors to the Gruyères Cheese Dairy can see the cheese being made, sample it and buy different cheese products.
>> Maison Cailler – located in Broc, just a few kilometres from Gruyères, the Maison Cailler chocolate factory offers tours and workshops, and lots of opportunities to taste delicious chocolate.
>> Museums – Gruyères is home to some interesting museums including the HR Giger Museum which has the largest existing collection of works by HR Giger, the set designer for the Hollywood film “Alien”, and the Tibet Museum. In nearby Bulle, the Musée gruérien showcases the history and traditions of La Gruyère through interactive stations, exhibitions and multi-media.
>> Thermal Baths – located in Charmey, Les Bains de la Gruyère features three swimming pools (two indoor and one outdoor) as well as a sauna, steam baths, hammam and Turkish baths.
>> Moléson – at 2,002 metres above sea level, there are great views of Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc and the Swiss Plateau from the summit of Moléson. Summer visitors can enjoy hiking and mountain biking, whilst visitors in winter have plenty of opportunities for skiing and sledging. The summit can be reached by funicular and cable car all year round.
>> Jogne Gorge – a narrow gorge carved by the La Jogne river, the Les Gorges de la Jogne is a popular spot for nature lovers. A path follows the river through the gorge to the Châtel-sur Montsalvens dam. Allow around one hour each way for the moderate hike.
>> Bénichon – La Bénichon is a traditional 9-course meal enjoyed by families to celebrate the end of summer and the end of the work on the land. Bénichon celebrations are typically held on a weekend and each village’s festivities are held on a different date.
>> Meringues with double cream – light and airy meringues served with double cream sourced from the cows of the La Gruyere region form part of the Bénichon meal but can enjoyed all year round.
>> Cuchaule – a saffron flavoured brioche-style bread which accompanies the Benichon meal. It is traditionally served with Bénichon mustard.
>> Désalpe – a festival celebrating the returning of the cows, goats and sheep from the alpine pastures to their farms at the end of summer.
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Useful resources
Read our guide Things to do in Gruyères and listen to our podcast episode about Fribourg canton.
Visit the La Gruyère website for information about Gruyères and the region, including the Gruyère Day Pass and the Chocolate Express from Bern.
You can reach Gruyères onboard the Chocolate Train from Montreux (May to September) or enjoy a culinary ride on the Fondue Train between Bulle and Montbovon or the Pays-d’Enhaut (December to May).
👉 Free guide 21 useful things to know before you visit Switzerland.
> You can read a full transcript of this episode here.
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