This medieval Swiss town sits atop a hill in Canton Fribourg, with its 13th-century castle and traditional cheese-making farms. Home to the H.R. Giger Museum and fondue houses.
Gruyères, a medieval town of 2,000 residents, sits on a hill 810 meters above sea level in western Switzerland's Fribourg canton. Walk through its cobblestone streets to find 15th-century fountains, try three ages of Gruyère cheese at the local factory, and explore the 13th-century castle with its period furniture and art collections. Stop at the unexpected HR Giger Museum to see original Alien movie artwork, then settle in at a traditional restaurant for a pot of steaming fondue.
Getting to Gruyères
Trains connect Gruyères to major Swiss cities: 1.5 hours from Geneva, 2 hours from Zurich, and 1 hour from Bern. From the station, you'll find a 15-minute uphill walk or a local bus to the medieval center. The Swiss Travel Pass covers train travel and museum entry. Trains run hourly from 6 AM to 11 PM.
Walking Through the Medieval Center
The main cobblestone street runs for 500 meters through the car-free town center. You'll pass stone fountains and buildings dating from 1400-1600. The 15th-century town walls remain intact, and the 12th-century Chupia-Bârba tower stands on the south side, open to visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM (April-October).
Inside Château de Gruyères
Visit the 13th-century castle daily from 9 AM to 6 PM (April-October) or 10 AM to 5 PM (November-March). Each room displays furniture and art from different centuries. The Knights' Hall contains medieval weapons and armor collections, while 1400s stained glass fills the chapel windows. The castle terrace looks out to the Pre-Alps mountains and Saane valley. Entry costs CHF 12 for adults.
Cheese Making and Tasting
La Maison du Gruyère runs cheese-making demonstrations at 10 AM and 2:30 PM daily. Watch through viewing windows as cheese makers cut curds and pour them into molds. The guided tour (CHF 7) includes tastings of three Gruyère varieties: 3-month (mild), 6-month (medium), and 12-month (strong) aged cheese.
HR Giger Museum and Bar
The museum (open 10 AM-6 PM, April-October) displays 250 works by Swiss artist HR Giger, including original Alien movie designs and sculptures. In the adjacent bar, sit in chairs shaped like alien creatures under vertebrae-like arches. Museum entry costs CHF 12.50.
Local Food and Restaurants
Le Chalet de Gruyères and Restaurant des Remparts serve traditional fondue with Gruyère and Vacherin cheese (CHF 25-30 per person). The fondue comes with bread cubes, potatoes, and pickled onions and cucumbers. Try the local dessert of meringues with double cream from regional dairy farms. At Chocolaterie de Gruyères, join 90-minute chocolate-making workshops (CHF 65, reservation required).
Day Trips and Hiking
The funicular to Plan-Francey runs every 30 minutes (CHF 32 return). The Gastlosen Tour, an 11-kilometer intermediate hiking trail with 750m elevation gain, takes 4-5 hours to complete. The path circles limestone peaks and is best hiked from June to September. In winter, Moléson-sur-Gruyères has 30 kilometers of ski runs, with day passes costing CHF 45.
