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Gruyeres

Gruyeres (Gruyere in French without the "s") is a perfectly preserved medieval hilltop village in the canton of Fribourg, famous for the cheese that bears its name, a 13th-century castle, and the unexpectedly brilliant HR Giger Museum. Reach it from Bern in 1 hour 20 minutes or from Lausanne in just over an hour by train, and combine it with a visit to the Maison Cailler chocolate factory in nearby Broc for a quintessentially Swiss day out.

Gruyeres (Gruyere in French without the "s") is a perfectly preserved medieval hilltop village in the canton of Fribourg, famous for the cheese that bears its name, a 13th-century castle, and the unexpectedly brilliant HR Giger Museum. Reach it from Bern in 1 hour 20 minutes or from Lausanne in just over an hour by train, and combine it with a visit to the Maison Cailler chocolate factory in nearby Broc for a quintessentially Swiss day out.

En bref : Gruyeres est un village medieval parfaitement preserve perche sur une colline dans le canton de Fribourg, celebre pour le fromage qui porte son nom, un chateau du XIIIe siecle et l'etonnant Musee HR Giger. Accessible depuis Berne en 1h20 ou depuis Lausanne en un peu plus d'une heure, c'est l'excursion suisse par excellence, surtout combinee avec la chocolaterie Maison Cailler a Broc.

En bref
Region La Gruyere, canton de Fribourg
Altitude 830 m
Population ~2'200
Langue Francais
Acces Berne : 1h 20min / Lausanne : 1h 10min / Zurich : 2h 20min
Swiss Travel Pass Trains couverts ; 50% sur le chateau ; 20% a Maison Cailler
Duree de sejour 1 jour ou 1 nuit
GPS 46.5838, 7.0811

Les 5 incontournables

1. Flaner dans le village medieval pietonnnier

La rue pavee principale de Gruyeres, bordee de maisons des XVe au XVIIe siecles, de balcons fleuris et de boutiques d'artisans, est l'un des cadres les plus photogeniques de Suisse. Le village est entierement pietonnnier. Prevoyez 30 a 60 minutes.

2. Visiter le Chateau de Gruyeres

Construit entre le XIe et le XIIIe siecle, le chateau offre un panorama sur les Prealpes fribourgeoises et abrite huit siecles d'art et d'architecture. Entree : CHF 13 (50% avec Swiss Travel Pass). Ouvert tous les jours.

3. Voir fabriquer le fromage a La Maison du Gruyere

Cette fromagerie de demonstration permet de suivre toute la production du Gruyere AOP depuis une galerie. Production 2 a 4 fois par jour. Entree : CHF 7. Le restaurant sert un excellent fondue moitie-moitie (CHF 27/pers.).

4. Decouvrir le Musee HR Giger

Le musee expose l'oeuvre du Suisse Hans Rudolf Giger, createur de l'Alien de Ridley Scott et Oscar du meilleur effet visuel. Art biomecanique fascinant dans un chateau du XVIIe siecle. Entree : CHF 12.50. Le HR Giger Bar voisin, entierement designe par l'artiste, est a voir absolument.

5. Monter au Moleson (2'002 m) en telecabine

Panorama a 360 degres du Jura au Mont Blanc et au Cervin. Funiculaire + telecabine aller-retour : CHF 38 (50% avec Swiss Travel Pass). A mi-chemin, la fromagerie d'alpage montre la fabrication traditionnelle au feu de bois.

Gastronomie

  • Fondue moitie-moitie : Le plat emblematique, melange de Gruyere AOP et Vacherin Fribourgeois AOP. CHF 25--30/pers.
  • Meringues a la creme double : Le dessert classique, avec la creme double de la Gruyere (45% de matiere grasse). CHF 9--12.
  • Cuchaule : Pain au safran typique du canton de Fribourg.

Hebergement

Hotel Prix/nuit (DZ) Notes
Hostellerie Saint-Georges CHF 180--260 Coeur du village, restaurant traditionnel
Hotel de Gruyeres CHF 200--300 Batiment historique, vue chateau

Source : ch.tours | Derniere mise a jour : mars 2026

Planifier

Itinéraires dans null

Plans de voyage sur plusieurs jours pour profiter au maximum de votre visite.

1
Jour 1
moderate

10-Day Complete Switzerland — The Ultimate Itinerary

2
Jour 2
moderate

10-Day Grand Tour of Switzerland — The Complete Circle

3
Jour 3
moderate

3-Day Bern & Region Explorer — Capital, Cheese Country & Alpine Lakes

Questions fréquentes

Tout ce que vous devez savoir pour visiter Gruyeres.

### Is Gruyeres worth visiting?

Yes, Gruyeres is one of the most rewarding day trips in western Switzerland. The combination of a perfectly preserved medieval village, a working cheese dairy, a world-class surrealist art museum, and a 13th-century castle is unique. The village is small enough to see thoroughly in 3-4 hours, yet rich enough that many visitors wish they had planned an overnight stay. It is consistently rated among the top 10 excursions in Switzerland by visitors surveyed by Switzerland Tourism.

How do you get to Gruyeres from Zurich?

Take an IC train from Zurich HB to Fribourg/Freiburg (1h 15min, departures every 30 minutes), then change to a TPF regional train via Bulle to Gruyeres (approximately 55 minutes with one change at Bulle). Total journey time is approximately 2 hours 20 minutes. A second-class ticket costs approximately CHF 62 (free with Swiss Travel Pass). The journey via Bern is equally straightforward.

Can you visit Gruyeres as a day trip from Bern or Lausanne?

Absolutely. Gruyeres is one of the best day trips from either city. From Bern, the train takes 1 hour 20 minutes; from Lausanne, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Arriving by 10:00 gives you enough time to visit the cheese dairy, explore the village, see the castle, pop into the HR Giger Museum, have a fondue lunch, and return by late afternoon. ch.tours recommends this as a full-day excursion.

What is the best time to visit Gruyeres?

May to September offers the best weather, longest days, and full access to the Moleson cable car and alpine attractions. For the fewest crowds, visit on a weekday in May, June, or September. Avoid Saturday mid-morning through early afternoon in Summer, when tour bus traffic peaks. December's Christmas market (first two weekends) is also excellent. In Winter, the village is quieter but atmospheric, especially with a dusting of snow.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid in Gruyeres?

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass covers all trains to and from Gruyeres (including TPF regional trains and the MOB line). It provides a 50% discount on the Chateau de Gruyeres entry fee and a 50% discount on the Moleson cable car. It also provides a 20% discount on entry to the Maison Cailler chocolate factory in Broc. The cheese dairy (La Maison du Gruyere) does not offer a Swiss Travel Pass discount, but at CHF 7, it is already excellent value.

What is the difference between Gruyere and Gruyeres?

Gruyere (without the "s") refers to the cheese -- Gruyere AOP -- and to the broader geographic region (La Gruyere / Greyerz). Gruyeres (with the "s") is the name of the specific commune and hilltop village. In practice, both spellings are used interchangeably by tourists, and locals will understand either. The cheese is officially "Gruyere AOP" -- the AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protegee) designation means it can only be produced in the designated region of cantons Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchatel, Jura, and parts of Bern.

Where should you eat fondue in Gruyeres?

For the most authentic and best-value fondue, ch.tours recommends La Maison du Gruyere restaurant at the foot of the village, where fondue moitie-moitie costs CHF 27 per person and the cheese is made on-site. For atmosphere, Le Chalet de Gruyeres and Hostellerie Saint-Georges both offer excellent fondue with terrace views. Always order "moitie-moitie" (half Gruyere, half Vacherin Fribourgeois) -- this is the regional specialty and distinctly creamier than the standard all-Gruyere fondue.

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