Château de Gruyères

About the museum

The castle is first mentioned in writing in 1244 and was the main seat of the Counts of Gruyères (Greyerz), one of the most influential noble families in western Switzerland. The 13th-century complex follows the Savoyard pattern of a square curtain wall with a keep and corner towers. In the 15th century, Count Ludwig had the fortress converted into a residence: stone galleries, a staircase tower and a chapel in a former defensive tower were added. After the last count, Michael, went bankrupt, the estates passed to Bern and Fribourg in 1554.

From 1555 to 1798, more than fifty Fribourg bailiffs (Landvögte) resided in the castle, followed by the district governors (Oberamtmänner). When the district seat was moved to Bulle in 1848/49, the property was auctioned and went to the Geneva brothers Bovy. Daniel Bovy founded an artists' colony here; painters such as Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot and Barthélemy Menn created landscape paintings for the salons, and Bovy himself designed the Knights' Hall with a cycle of paintings on the history of the counts. Around 1900, the French garden took on its present form.

After the Bovy and Balland families, the canton of Fribourg reacquired the castle and opened it as a museum in 1939. Today the fully furnished house displays furniture, artworks and objects from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, including spoils of war from the Burgundy Wars, the chapel with stained-glass windows from 1482, and the painted rooms from the time of the bailiffs.

Highlights

• Knights' Hall with Daniel Bovy's cycle of paintings on the history of the counts
• Landscape paintings by Corot and Menn in the artists' colony salon
• Chapel with stained-glass windows from 1482
• Spoils of war from the Burgundy Wars
• French garden and view from the castle wall

Permanent exhibition

• Historischer Rundgang durch das Schloss – From the medieval wax room through the chapel and the bailiffs' hall to the salons of the artists' colony and the Knights' Hall; the rooms are furnished and hold artworks from eight centuries.

Founded

1939

Operated by

Kanton Freiburg (Eigentümer)

Admission & discounts

The ticket covers the castle, the garden (Easter to October), the historic tour and the exhibitions. Free with the Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen MemberPlus, VMS and ICOM, and for members of the friends' association. Combination tickets are bought on site at one of the participating venues. Payment in cash (CHF; euro notes accepted, change given in CHF), with common credit and debit cards, PostCard or Twint.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the stairs, the castle rooms are hard to reach for people with limited mobility; wheelchair users can visit the esplanade, the courtyard and, depending on the season, part of the garden. Access to the upper floors is via a spiral staircase. Assistance dogs are allowed; other animals are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Free materials are available for self-guided visits: the castle bestiary (up to age 6) and the Chalamala walk (from age 6). Strollers and backpack-style baby carriers are not permitted in the castle rooms. Changing tables are located by the toilets at reception; a playground and picnic area is near the castle.

Getting there & parking

The town is car-free. From the car parks, allow 10 to 20 minutes' walk to the castle; from the bus stop, 5 to 10 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check

The castle has no food service, and picnicking is not allowed; the playground and picnic area "Clos-aux-Cerfs" is near the castle. Bags can be checked at reception, depending on space; backpacks must be carried in front or in hand. Tripods, selfie sticks, helmets and walking poles without rubber tips are not permitted.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 40 guests.

Grand Tour Hall for seminars (up to 25 people) and lectures (up to 40 people), with projector, screen, flipchart and Wi-Fi; apéritifs possible. The castle visit is not included in the rental.

Plan your visit