44906CH
Excursion
Château de Chillon guided inside visit
Gruyères free visit of town, optional visit to cheese dairy
· You need cash or ACIS card for entrances to the Château de Chillon
· If you have a visit to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne to fit in on this day, adapt your schedule accordingly. You must call the museum in advance to reserve your visit.
· If possible, call Chillon three days in advance to reserve your guide. The number is (+41) 021 966 8910.
· If you are departing from Geneva you can take the lakeside road for all or part of the way to Lausanne – pretty views – remember to allow extra time for this.
· In the off season, it’s advisable to go to Gruyères first and visit Chillon in the afternoon.
· There are possibilities for lunch in Montreux and Gruyères.
Geneva – Lausanne 67km 1hr
Lausanne – Chillon 39km 40 min
Montreux – Chillon 4km 15 min
Chillon – Gruyères 45km 50 min
Gruyères – Lausanne 57km 50 min
Chillon – visit
Leave the Motorway at the Montreux exit and follow signs.
There is a lay-by reserved for tour buses on the main road just above the château. The driver sets down here and turns the bus during the group’s visit.
Walk the group back and across the railway line to the château entrance. Buy the tickets and go through with them to the courtyard, where the guide will be waiting for you. The tour lasts approximately 40 min. Toilets are in the chateau courtyard, by the ticket office.
After the visit give some free time for souvenirs. There is only one exit – back the way you came.
Gruyères
Take the N12 to Bulle then follow signs to Gruyères. In the summer, try to make time to go over the very scenic Col des Mosses route, (follow signs to Martigny and take the Aigle exit for the Col des Mosses).
Bus parking is below the village. Make a rendezvous for departure and walk the group to the town gate.
Gruyères is very small – one main street, lots of cafes, souvenirs etc. Specialities: cheese, double cream, cheese tarts, fondue.
The Château can be visited and is well worth it. Open all day in summer, closed lunchtime in off-season. Entrance: CHF 12,00; students CHF 8,00; adult group (15+) CHF 8,00. NB. Ask for a school class rate – it may be much cheaper.
Lunch may have been booked for the group at a restaurant in Gruyères.
Cheese Dairy (booking recommended)
Clearly signed when approaching Gruyères just before the climb to the village.
There is a multi-lingual audio-visual presentation available all day.
Cheese tasting and purchase.
NB: These are also good areas for wine tasting. Check with local tourist boards (or your driver!).