Gruyères - Jellen's Adventures

We took a few trains to find amazing Swiss cheese in the quaint town by the same name This taste of Switzerland has been around since 1115.

We toured the factory & learned about the cows that produce the milk to make the cheese. We were treated to an audio of Cherry the cow telling us what she eats and the life she lives.

Gruyère cheese is a pressed cooked cheese made from cow’s milk, originating in the Gruyère region of Switzerland. It is characterised by its pale-yellow paste and a unique flavour profile that combines notes of sweetness and nuttiness.

The cheese undergoes a meticulous ageing process, typically lasting between 5 and 12 months, which contributes to its distinct taste and texture.

Le Gruyère AOP is not just a unique cheese with unmatched flavour. It is the result of expert know-how defined by exacting and rigorous specifications. Approved by the federal authorities, these specifications set out very specific regulations for each stage of the Le Gruyère AOP production process. From feeding the cows 100% natural food and banning all additives to traditional production methods in a clearly defined geographical area, every aspect has been carefully considered to preserve the product’s identity and ensure the finest quality. These high standards mean Le Gruyère is more than just the best cheese in the world. It’s a protected designation of origin, synonymous with heritage, tradition and trust.

After we received a fantastic sample & decided it was going to be a fondue lunch day.

But first a walk through town and the Chalet at the top of the hill.

Built in the 13th century, it is constructed in the form of a “carré savoyard”, a military design developed by the House of Savoy, to whom the counts were vassals. It is protected by an almost square enclosure flanked by a keep, a tower and small overhanging turrets at the corners.

Extensive reconstruction initiated in the 15th century by Count Louis transformed the fortified castle into a stately residence. Elegant stone galleries punctuated by wide windows replace part of the wooden galleries, a staircase tower was built abutting the main block, and a chapel was installed in a former defensive tower.

For almost five centuries, from their base at Gruyères, the counts ruled over large tracts of land consisting of governorships on either side of the Sarine river as well as the lordships of Palézieux, Oron and Aubonne. Some counts also distinguished themselves on the field of battle during the Hundred Years’ War or fighting by the Confederates during the Burgundian Wars. The dynasty died out when Count Michel, beset by financial problems, went bankrupt and has his properties confiscated in 1554 by his principal creditors, Bern and Fribourg.

In 1849, the castle was auctioned off when the seat of the prefecture was moved from Gruyère to Bulle. The Bovy brothers, John, Antoine and Daniel, placed the winning bid and the family moved into Gruyères as soon as the first signs of spring appeared, spending the winter at Boissière Castle near Geneva.

The new owners undertook extensive renovations. Overseeing the construction work was Daniel Bovy, who redefined the organisation and theme of every room in the building. He invited his artist friends from France and Geneva to the summer residence, and everyone took part in creating new décors.

At Daniel’s instigation, Gruyères Castle became home to an artists’ colony and hosted an artistic utopia. Encounters and exchanges between painters, sculptors, writers and musicians were all part of the artists’ communal existence. Following days devoted to drawing and painting, the evenings were given over to singing, performances and hearty meals. The painters were particularly skilled in the art of landscape, and the paintings by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot and Barthélemy Menn that adorn the walls of the castle attest to this artistic collaboration.