The town is hidden in fortifications in the mountains, has a history dating back to the twelfth century, and is the home of an intense cheese with a reddish rind of the same name without which onion soup would be a sad compromise. The nearest chocolate factory is a mere four kilometres from here, the unique terraced vineyards of the Lavaux district are just a half an hour’s drive away, and the views are unmistakably swiss made. Gruyères is also found in the canton of Fribourg, at the borders of the German, French and Italian parts of Switzerland, and takes only the best from each of these cultures.  

Giger’s Dark Visions

The Medieval architecture, in combination with the mountain peaks which define the horizon around Gruyères, give the town an unusually mystical atmosphere. It is part of the Grand Tour of Switzerland, a route around the country which links its most wonderful locations. The atmosphere at Gruyères is genuinely extraordinary and unique, and walking through the town’s streets is something like a time machine and catalyst for fantasy.

Hans Rudolf Giger, the artist behind “Alien”, selected Gruyères as the place for a museum to display his extravagant work. The exhibition is presented at the Château St-Germain, a building blessed by many centuries on the route to the castle courtyard. The dark museum includes a world-famous café bar, where you can enjoy an espresso in the afternoon or a drink against the bizarre sets inspired by Giger’s chilling style.

Fondue, mountains and the touch of time

The Chalet de Gruyères restaurant is a mandatory stop in the most ‘Swiss’ town of Switzerland and is one of the oldest, continuously operating catering establishments in the land of the Helvetic cross. Unsurprisingly, it concentrates on meals which include cheese. The local raclette will never let you forget the temptations of fine dining, and another speciality is obviously fondue, and here they prepare it in the straight combination of Vacherin and Gruyère, with hot potatoes and homemade white bread. With a glass of chilled, light Riesling in your hand and accompanied by views of the mountains framed by red geraniums in small windows, even the most determined opponent of the mountains will understand what everyone experiences in the Alps.  

Gruyères itself is a car-free zone but lies on a hill just below a route which justly enjoys the reputation of one of the most wonderful roads for driving in Europe. Ricard & Bonette will take you to Gruyères and to the best driving experiences as a part of the SWISS WONDERS driving tour.