54903CH
Route Marches
Château de Chillon Guided inside visit
Gruyères Free visit of town.
Optional visit to cheese factory.
· You need cash or ACIS card for entrances to Chillon.
· Call a few days ahead to reserve a guide. (021 966 8910)
· You can make an additional stop in Montreux.
· In winter and early spring the Brünigpass between Brienz and Lucerne might be closed. Check if you are in doubt.
· If you are in a hurry, you can take the Motorway N1/N2 (direction Zurich/Lucerne) avoiding the alpine areas.
Château de Chillon
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 bridge over the railway line to the château entrance. Buy the tickets and go through with them to the courtyard, where the guide will meet you. The tour lasts approximately 40 min. Tip guide. Toilets are in the château courtyard.
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. 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 fairly pricey cafés, souvenirs etc. You may have lunch booked in Gruyères.
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.
Cheese Dairy
Clearly signed when approaching Gruyères just before the climb to the village.
There is a multi-lingual audio-visual presentation available all day and cheese tasting and purchase. Call ahead if your group wants to visit.
Chocolate Factory
Alternatively, you may have a booked visit to the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory in Broc, just a couple of kilometres North of Gruyères. Check your itinerary carefully.
Brienz – possible stop en route if time permits
Brienz is the woodcarving capital of Switzerland. Two workshops do demonstrations lasting about 30 min. (See Recommended Shopping list.)
You should call ahead to reserve a visit, groups have to pay for the demonstration/museum though