Destinations Magazine

Photo Essay: Gruyères – of Medieval Vibes, Fairy Tale Landscapes and Gastronomic Culture

By Rashmi Gopal Rao

Located in the Fribourg canton of Switzerland, the idyllic town of Gruyères is home to several interesting sites.  With unique experiences spanning art, culture and cuisine, a visit to this pedestrian town was one of my favourites trips of my Switzerland sojourn.  The journey started on a day that was unusually foggy but the train ride from Zurich did offer some stunning vistas. Gruyères forms yet another insightful trip from Zurich.

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic cultureEnroute Gruyères

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture
Gruyères train station

The town center replete with cobbled paths, fountains, pretty store fronts and quaint cafes seems straight out of the pages of a fairy tale book! Here are some captures….

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture
Chapel in Gruyères town centre
Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture
Gruyères town centre
Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture
Pretty store fronts, restaurant windows and impromptu flower arrangements

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture

Gruyères is home to some interesting musuems, the Tibet museum which is housed within a chapel and has some rare artefacts of Lord Buddha while the HR Giger museum is a haven for art afficandos.

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture
Inside Gruyeres Tibet museum

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture
Gruyeres HR Giger museum

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture

One of the country’s most famous hard cheeses Le Gruyère is named after this town and a visit to the cheese dairy is a must when here.  Native and exclusive to the region of Gruyères since 1115 AD, Le Gruyère has been manufactured since then using the traditional method that is now patented and handed down since generations.

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture
Gruyeres cheese dairy

Photo essay: Gruyères – of medieval vibes, fairy tale landscapes and gastronomic culture

The Cailler chocolate factory is also located very close to Gruyeres and is worth a visit.


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