A short distance from the confluence of two impetuous torrents, the waters of Taouna seem to gush out from the rock. A cave dedicated to the Madonna occupies the esplanade near the Grandvillard waterfall.
The Romantics loved these torrents emerging from a dark gorge surrounded by greenery. Today, as in the 19th century, the air is invigorating.
Several generations of Gruyère residents know the rock shelter located at the foot of the waterfall. In 1958, the saddler and the curate of the village turned it into a grotto dedicated to the Madonna. It is the largest in the region. With small columns and forged iron railings, it attracts pilgrims from across the country.
The peaceful Taouna can lose its temper: the rising water levels in the summer of 2005 propelled it out of its bed, widening its banks by about 30 metres. The cellars of numerous dwellings were flooded.
Route de la Cascade Taouna
1666 Grandvillard
