Enchantment in Pays-d’Enhaut (K)
In the Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut Regional Park, walkers can enjoy the educational trails linking the regions of Fribourg and Vaud. By car, the entrance to the Pays-d’Enhaut and Vaud regions is marked by the village of Rossinière with its emblematic architecture. The king of wooden chalets, the Grand Chalet is not open to visitors but the impressive residence of the late painter Balthus is one of its kind in Switzerland.
A few minutes away, Château-d’Oex is known for its ski slopes and the International Ballooning Festival. The history of this hot air balloon capital is told at the Espace Ballon museum and the Musée du Vieux Pays-d’Enhaut. A little further to the south, the village of L’Etivaz is a perfect detour for foodies who can visit the Maison de L’Etivaz and savour the alpine pasture cheese made there.
At the Vaudois end of the Grand Tour, Rougemont is popular with sports enthusiasts, whether they enjoy skiing (its runs are linked to the famous Gstaad ski area), hiking or climbing.
(© OTV/Vincent Bailly)
922.56555175781
Pays-d'Enhaut Tourisme - Rossinière
Opening hours
from June - Septembre 2016
(Pays-d'Enhaut Tourisme)
906.49755859375
Grand Chalet de Rossinière
The Grand Chalet at Rossinière transcends all superlatives: 500 square metres of ground surface, 5 floors, 113 windows, a painted inscription containing 2,800 letters. This is the largest inhabitable wooden house in Switzerland in a region – Pays-d’Enhaut – where wooden buildings have reached a high level of refinement.
The Grand Chalet was built between 1752 and 1756 on behalf of Jean David Henchoz, a farmer, notary and judge who wanted to create “a house for cheese”. The cellar dictated the chalet’s dimensions: it was planned for 600 loaves of cheese in their refining stage. The ground floor was intended for commercial exchanges where merchants from Bulle, Vevey and Lyon negotiated sales and exports.
In 1977, the painter Balthus (1908-2001), Count Balthazar Klossowski of Rola, acquired the Grand Chalet in Rossinière, where he lived with his wife and his daugher, painted and received other artists. Grand Chalet is a private property and cannot be visited.
Grand Chalet de Rossinière (©Fabrice Wagner)
Grand Chalet de Rossinière - summer - Rossinière - Fabrice Wagner (©Fabrice Wagner)
Grand Chalet mit Teddy B (www.teddy-b.ch)
Rental rates
Terre de traditions - Patrimoine architectural de Rossinière (Terre de traditions)
Grand Chalet de Rossinière - summer - Rossinière - Fabrice Wagner (©Fabrice Wagner)
Grand Chalet de Rossinière (©Fabrice Wagner)
Grand Chalet de Rossinière (©Fabrice Wagner)
923.78674316406
Balthus Chapel
With documentary films and some of his works, and invites the public to the world of one of the greatest figurative painters of the 20th century.
959.75903320312
Regional nature park Gruyère Pays d’Enhaut
The Gruyère – Pays-d'Enhaut Regional Nature Park is one of the 19 Swiss parks of national importance. Its territory (630 km²) extends over 3 cantons, between Montreux, Gstaad and Bulle. Go from the lowest altitude of 374 m on the shores of Lake Geneva to the highest peak, Tarent, at 2548 m.
The Park is characterised by unspoilt nature, remarkable landscapes, and a still very active alpine economy. Its role is to put forward different projects and actions: to preserve and enhance the quality of nature and landscape, to strengthen economic activities based on sustainability and to raise awareness.
Travel through its landscapes and learn more about the park's various activities and educational walks. A varied programme of activities is offered in the park as well, including guided wildlife observations, cultural and historical tours in the villages and discovery walks in the nature reserves.
La Manche - hiver - Rougemont - Parc Régional Gruyère Pays-d'Enhaut
Parc à la carte 2023-2024
Parc naturel paysage - été - Pays-d'Enhaut - ©ST-BAFU Marcus Gyger (©ST-BAFU Marcus Gyger)
Tour du Comté de Gruyère
Grand Tour des Vanils
Vias du Fromage
The regional nature park Gruyère Pays d’Enhaut (©PNR Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut)
The regional nature park Gruyère Pays d’Enhaut (©Parc naturel régional Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut)
Le Parc naturel régional Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut (©PNR Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut)
The regional nature park Gruyère Pays d’Enhaut (©Claudia Baumberger)
The regional nature park Gruyère Pays d’Enhaut (©Claudia Baumberger)
Parc naturel paysage - été - Pays-d'Enhaut - ©ST-BAFU Marcus Gyger (©ST-BAFU Marcus Gyger)
971.10491943359
Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut - Swiss Center for Paper Cut-outs
The lifestyle of farmers and craftsmen has been recreated with an old smithy, an Alpine cheese dairy and a farmer’s kitchen with a bread oven dating of 1665. Likewise, the opulent interior of the families of notables has been brought alive with the help of a bourgeois dining room and kitchen, with a tiled stove and a waffle iron dating of 1581.
In addition to these everyday objects, the Museum of Pays-d'Enhaut exhibits countless drawings, engravings and watercolours representing the region, as well as period photographs showing the arrival of tourism.
Finally, the museum has an exceptional collection of paper cuttings, which are a tradition in the Pays-d'Enhaut. The museum is now considered to be the Swiss centre for papercuts.
The deposit of 600 decoupages and the extraordinary collection of old works allow us to highlight our expertise in this field. The collaboration with contemporary artists who are able to offer demonstrations or longer introductory courses, the provision of a specific library and the presence of temporary exhibitions ensure the dissemination of knowledge associated with paper cuttings.
Expo Typiquement Suisse_Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut_pas de saison_Château-d'Oex_(C) Pays-d'Enhaut Région
Sonnailles_Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut_pas de saison_Château-d'Oex_(C) Pays-d'Enhaut Région
Salle alpage_Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut_pas de saison_Château-d'Oex_(C) Pays-d'Enhaut Région
Rez de chaussé expo Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut Centre suisse du papier découpé - pas de saison - Château-d'Œx - Pays-d'Enhaut Région (Pays-d'Enhaut Région)
959.80987548828
Espace Ballon
Hot air ballooning fascinates young and old alike for centuries. From the Montgolfier brothers to Bertrand Piccard's world tour, the Espace Ballon traces the key elements of this history rich in scientific discoveries and adventures.
Exciting and fascinating multimedia material allows those interested to learn all about the history, technology and adventure of this way of taking to the skies. During the visit, you will also discover how these hot-air balloons are made.
Experience a totally different dimension in the 4D simulators! The first simulator looks like a big hot-air balloon ready for take-off. Go inside for a captivating journey through the landscapes and seasons of the Pays-d'Enhaut. The second simulator puts you in the role of a real balloon pilot! Equipped with your virtual reality headset, install yourself in the basket of the hot-air balloon and give the burner a blast for take-off. Now you're in the air, ready to fly like a bird. Will you be able to catch the right currents to land your balloon successfully?
Did you know that Château-d'Œx was the starting point of Brian Jones and Bertrand Piccard's round-the-world balloon trip? It was in 1999, on their third attempt, that the two pilots began their adventure and finally succeeded in circling the globe. Their journey is told stage by stage in the museum thanks to short films.
At the end of your visit, don't miss the Breitling Orbiter capsule, which was used in the first attempt to go around the globe. You can also see the interior of the basket where Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones lived for 22 days.
*RENOVATION WORK
The museum is currently closed for renovation. It is due to open the 20th of January 2024 for a completely new experience!
Espace Ballon vue intérieure avec nacelles - pas de saison - CHAX - Espace Ballon
Espace Ballon exterior façade with CHAX balloon - winter - CHAX - Espace Ballon (©Espace Ballon)
The Balloon Museum (©Tony Ho)
1140.6448974609
Cheese cellars of L'Etivaz AOP
L'Etivaz AOP is a hard cheese made by hand from raw milk in more than 130 alpine cheese dairies, located between 1000 and 2000 m. More than 2800 cows supply the milk, which is heated over a wood fire in a copper vat in the time-honoured tradition.
In the centre of the l’Etivaz village, the cheese cellars are entirely dedicated to the typical Swiss cheese, which bears the protected designation of origin AOP (Appellation d' Origine Protégée). Open every day, this place is also a sales point for this delicious alpine cheese.
A documentary shows visitors the process of cheese production on the alpine pastures, while a tasting will give let you savour all the different fragrances of a L’Etivaz AOP. The tour in the galleries, located around the cheese cellars, is truly fascinating: Over 20000 cheese wheels are stored here and are regularly turned and salted with great care during the aging period of at least 135 days.
To round off your visit, enjoy the flavours of five regional cheeses during a tasting session, including of course the L'Etivaz AOP.
The Maison de l’Etivaz and the Caves à fromage (©Atelier mamco)
Terre de traditions - La coopérative de l'Etivaz (Terre de traditions)
Terre de traditions - L'affinage (Terre de traditions)
The Maison de l’Etivaz and the Caves à fromage (©Atelier mamco)
The Maison de l’Etivaz and the Caves à fromage (©Atelier Mamco)
The Maison de l’Etivaz and the Caves à fromage (©Vaud Terroirs)
Maison de l'Etivaz (Pays-d'Enhaut Tourisme)
2115.8171386719
Videmanette Via Ferrata, route 1
Via ferrata have become popular in recent years, combining climbing and mountain hiking. The Videmanette area in Rougemont is well known to climbers and skiers!
Rather easy, the first route is ideal for beginners as well as families. This one has more hiking passages than climbing. The start is located 5 minutes from the arrival station of the Rougemont - La Videmanette cable car.
It starts with an easy part of steep climbing, including a passage through a chimney. The last section up to the summit of the Rubli mountain (2285 m) is done on foot. At the end of the climb, there is a splendid view of the Alps and the Pays-d'Enhaut.
The outward and return journeys follow the same route.
Route Planards
Via Ferrata - summer - Rougemont - Visualp (©Pays-d’Enhaut Région)
Videmanette Via Ferrata, route 1 (©Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG)
2143.666015625
Videmanette Via Ferrata, route 2
The starting point of the via ferratas is only a 5 minute walk from Videmanette. This second route is actually an alternative to route 1, designed for slightly more seasoned climbers.
The first section is the same for routes 1 and 2: the easy vertical climb, with a chimney and an small easy ledge. Then route 2 separates from route 1 offering good climbers a 75° wall and a more overhead section.
The last section is once again shared with the first route, with a hike to the summit of the Rubli (2,258 m), where fantastic views of the Vaudois Alps await.
The return route is via route 1.
Route Planards
La Videmanette via ferrata (©Pays-d'Enhaut Tourisme)
Videmanette Via Ferrata, route 2 (©Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus)
2154.3491210938
Videmanette Via Ferrata, route 3
A popular mountain sport, via ferrata is a key attraction for climbing and hiking enthusiasts. However, some routes are for experienced climbers only and the Videmanette’s third via ferrata is one of them!
The route has a challenging start with a great chimney requiring technical skills and a cool head to overcome the sensation of being in a void. After the surprising exit from the chimney, climbers can enjoy a little respite with an easier grassy ledge. But after that, it all gets very complicated with a long vertical section and a difficult ladder due to the space between the rungs.
A real challenge for good climbers who will get a real buzz out of finishing this via! Those who want more can take their mountain bike with them for the ride down to Rougemont through the stunning scenery of the Vaudois Alps.
The return trip is via route 1.
Route Planards
View on the Via Ferrata et le Rübli - summer - Rougemont - Visualp (Visualps.ch)
887
897
899
877
868
873
888
898
897
892
892
896
892
891
894
896
895
892
891
894
898
898
896
897
902
903
902
904
904
908
907
910
911
913
914
914
914
916
914
912
916
920
917
914
916
919
919
920
918
916
922
930
929
932
938
937
934
931
926
927
924
928
932
935
933
935
936
934
936
939
941
944
944
946
946
955
949
950
954
958
961
956
956
957
960
958
962
961
964
967
967
966
960
961
961
958
960
959
953
951
952
954
951
949
945
952
952
954
956
951
953
942
939
940
938
929
929
933
933
932
934
932
952
950
948
947
944
938
940
940
940
941
938
940
948
950
945
940
943
939
940
940
940
940
940
941
940
941
944
941
941
948
953
957
961
964
966
974
980
982
985
985
984
978
977
978
979
983
988
988
992
995
993
990
995
1001
1003
1002
1003
1007
1010
1012
1018
1018
1019
1020
1024
1031
1032
1034
1037
1040
1042
1041
1043
1043
1045
1045
1047
1044
1045
1044
1050
1053
1053
1053
1052
1051
1050
1054
1057
1056
1058
1057
1057
1058
1058
1058
1060
1067
1063
1060
1059
1055
1046
1047
1048
1047
1044
1042
1042
1046
1045
1042
1041
1040
1037
1035
1038
1036
1038
1037
1037
1032
1035
1035
1033
1034
1033
1039
1043
1038
1028
1016
1020
1022
1024
1023
1020
1020
1028
1033
1031
1028
1028
1026
1031
1034
1032
1032
1032
1031
1031
1038
1033
1032
1030
1031
1028
1028
1032
1033
1040
1041
1037
1034
1035
1037
1036
1036
1038
1040
1040
1040
1036
1034
1042
1043
1041
1041
1044
1043
1053
1057
1058
1059
1059
1041