Château de Gruyères sits on a hill above the medieval village of Gruyères, in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. Built in the 13th century, the castle is well preserved, with rooms furnished in several periods, tapestries, portraits and knights' armour. The interiors show how the building changed from a fortress into a family residence and later a summer base for painters. Outside, the terraces and gardens look over the valleys towards the Alps. Plan time for the village as well, since the area is known for cheese, chocolate and fondue.
Owners and changes over eight centuries
The castle was built on a hill above the village in the 13th century. Its first owners were the counts of Gruyères, 19 of them in total, who controlled the Sarine Valley from the 11th to the 16th century. A fire in 1493 damaged the building, and it was rebuilt.
From the 16th century, the bailiffs of Fribourg ran the region from the castle. In the mid-19th century, a family from Geneva made it their summer home. Their guests included a group of painters, the first artists' colony in Switzerland. Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot and Barthélemy Menn spent months at the castle repainting many of its rooms.
The canton of Fribourg bought the castle in the 1930s, and it opened to the public in the late 1930s.
Inside the rooms
The rooms hold period furniture, tapestries, and medieval-era portraits and paintings. Stained glass windows, knights' armour and weapons, and handcrafted furniture are also on show.
The rooms also show the change from a 13th-century fortress to a 15th-century residence. Later, the castle held modern fantasy art and contemporary art exhibitions.
A 20-minute multimedia film on the history of Gruyères is part of the visit, which makes a good start before you walk through the rooms.
The castle grounds
A short footpath circles the castle, and it is worth the walk. The landscaped gardens and panoramic terraces give views over the valleys and towards the mountains, and they are the part of the visit that rewards a slow pace.
At the entrance, a sculpture called Le Bouclier de Mars looks like an ancient carving. It was made by Patrick Woodruffe in 1993.
Pairing the castle with the valley
In Broc, the Maison Cailler chocolate factory is part of the Gruyère itinerary, which runs from the castle down the valley. A cheese factory tour can be bought as a combined ticket with the castle, and combined tickets also cover other attractions in the area.
The Golden Pass Chocolate Train day trip from Montreux includes first-class travel, coffee and a croissant on the train, a cheese factory visit, a visit to the castle, a visit to Cailler, and the return train. It runs from May to October on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and every day in July and August. Reservations are essential.
In the village itself, the HR Giger Museum is open to visitors, as is a museum of Tibetan Buddhist art.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, entry to the castle is paid. Combined tickets cover the castle along with other attractions in the area, including a cheese factory tour.
How long do you need?
A self-guided visit inside and out takes about an hour. Allow more time if you also walk the village and the terraces.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended.
Can I reach the castle by train?
Yes, the castle is easy to reach by train. The Golden Pass Chocolate Train day trip from Montreux includes a castle visit, with reservations required.
