Set amidst a magnificent landscape, Gruyères Castle takes you on a journey through eight centuries of art, history and legends.
Gruyères Castle has stood proudly atop a verdant hill on the threshold of Fribourg’s imposing Alpine foothills since the 13th century. Today, the medieval fortress houses prestigious collections that bear witness to its long and eventful history. Visitors can travel back through the ages and discover its remarkable treasures: the delicate stained glass windows from the Middle Ages and the Burgundy copes taken by the Confederates from Charles the Bold; the wall decorations commissioned by the bailiffs under the Ancien Régime; the paintings by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot; and the troubadour decorations of the Knights’ Room, created at Gruyères in the 19th century by a colony of passionate artists.
Gruyères, a land of legends, also has many stories to tell: of La Belle Luce, John the Cripple, the jester Chalamala and the heroic women of Gruyères who used their goats as weapons. Temporary exhibitions complement the historical and artistic heritage, revealing a new side to the castle with every visit.
Tours and activities
Explore the castle and its collections with the free paper guide (in 12 languages) or discover the castle with the enhanced reality audioguide available to download on your smartphone (available in French, German and English). There are also trails designed for younger visitors: the Chalamala trail for children aged from 7 years old and the Bestiaire of Gruyères Castle for the younger ones. On request, fascinating guided tours can be arranged for you. The guides accompany you and take you through the long history of the place and its inhabitants. The storytellers in medieval costume will tell you about the legends of the castle and the region during their storytelling tours. The youngest visitors, guided by a lady or gentleman of the court, can go on a fun treasure hunt.
More information about the visit of the Gruyères Castle: here
Access for the disabled at ground level. Please contact us concerning access to the Chateau.
Additional offers: guided, "speedy" or storytelling tours, treasure hunt (5-12 years old), hall rental. The tours are available upon request (booking request min. 2 working days in advance).
- Guided tours available in French, German or English
- "Speedy"-Tour available in French, German or English
- Storytelling Tour available in French or German
- Treasure hunt available in French or German
- New: Guided tours in sign language for all audiences (from 12 years old) and sung tours for all audiences (from 12 years old)