Hostellerie Saint Georges

Location

Rue du Bourg 22, Gruyères, 1663

Gruyères The medieval town of Gruyères is located on top of a hill at the foot of the Swiss Alps. It is part of cultural monuments of national importance. The name Gruyères is probably related to the crane (Grue in French) the bird on the coat of arms. The impressive castle dominates the town. 19 counts of Gruyères lived in the castle between the 11th and the 16th century. The last one, by the name of Michael, went bankrupt in 1554. His creditors, the towns of Fribourg and Berne divided the county between them. The castel became the residence of the « governor» of Fribourg from 1555 to 1798, then the seat of the district governor. 1849 it was sold to the family Bovy of Geneva who restored it. In 1938, the state of Fribourg bought it back from the family Balland and installed a museum with a remarkable collection of artefacts. The political town of Gruyères has a surface of 28km2. The old town counts some 170 inhabitants and is visited each year by about one million tourists. They are impressed by the compact architecture and the well preserved entity of the town. The town walls are accessible and particularly impressive is the « Belluard » fortification situated on the north wall. Along the main road which served as market square in the past, a number of well preserved gothic buildings are situated. Close to the former salt-depository called « Calvaire » because of a sculptured group representing the crucifixion, several stone grain measures are still preserved. On the right of the « Calvaire » the road goes down to the St-Theodul Parish-Church mentioned for the first time in 1254 and also the « Clos aux cerfs » (deer park), today a children’s playground. The road to the left leads up towards the castle with its very impressive exhibitions and the beautiful view. Below the castle, is the museum of HR Giger, the famous artist and creator of the fantastic world of the « Alien » . In Pringy, at the foot of the hill, the cheese-factory lets you watch the manufacturing of the famous Gruyère cheese day after day.