Gruyères Chocolate, Cheese & Panoramic Train Tour from Lausanne

The GoldenPass Panoramic Train: from Lake Geneva to the Pre-Alps

The GoldenPass line is one of Switzerland's great scenic railways, linking the Lake Geneva Riviera with the Bernese Oberland. Its panoramic carriages have large windows that curve up into the roof, and the line climbs steeply from the lake through forests and meadows, with views back over the water and the Alps on the French side.

On this tour you ride a section of the line into the pre-Alps, where wooden chalets, grazing cows and small villages replace the lakeside towns. It is the most relaxing part of the day: sit back, watch the landscape change and take photographs through the wide windows. If you have wondered how to see the GoldenPass route without planning connections, this tour handles the tickets and the coach meets you at the end of the ride.

Gruyères Village: Cobbles, Fountains and Mountain Views

Gruyères is a tiny walled village on a green hill, with a single cobbled main street lined with old houses, painted signs and flower boxes, and a stone fountain in the middle. Cars stay outside the walls, which makes it wonderfully peaceful. Behind the rooftops rises the Moléson, the emblematic mountain of the region.

During your free time you can wander the street, browse shops selling local cream, meringues and wooden crafts, and walk up to the castle gate for views over the valley. A Gruyères day trip from Lausanne is popular for good reason: the village is one of the most photogenic in Switzerland. Please note the name: the village is Gruyères with an s, while the cheese is Gruyère.

Gruyères Castle: Seat of the Counts

At the top of the village stands Gruyères Castle, built in the thirteenth century for the Counts of Gruyère, who ruled the valley for about three centuries. After the last count went bankrupt in 1554 the castle passed to the bailiffs of Fribourg, and in the nineteenth century a family of art lovers restored it and decorated its rooms with paintings and furniture.

Inside you can see the medieval halls, a Burgundian treasure room and formal French-style gardens with views across the Gruyère countryside. Entrance to the castle is not included in this tour, but you can buy a ticket on the spot if you want to use part of your free time inside; allow about forty-five minutes for the visit. Many guests are happy simply to admire the castle walls and the view from the forecourt.

The Gruyère Show Dairy and Cheese Fondue

At the foot of the village, a show dairy lets you see how Gruyère cheese is made. Through large windows you watch the cheesemakers heat the milk in huge copper vats, cut the curd and press the wheels, while an audio guide explains every step. Each wheel needs about four hundred litres of milk from cows grazing local meadows, and is then aged for many months.

Gruyère has a protected designation of origin, so it can only be made in this part of western Switzerland following strict rules. After the dairy you enjoy a cheese fondue, the classic Swiss dish where pieces of bread are dipped into melted cheese in a shared pot. It is a convivial moment and a favourite with children.

Chocolate Factory Visit and Tasting

In the Gruyère region, just a few minutes from the village, a historic chocolate factory welcomes visitors. An interactive route tells the story of chocolate from the cocoa bean to Swiss milk chocolate, first created on the shores of Lake Geneva in the nineteenth century and made here with the region's rich Alpine milk.

You see parts of the production, learn about roasting and conching, and finish with a tasting of many different chocolates, which is always the highlight for children. There is also a shop if you want to bring gifts home. For dietary requirements, tell our team before booking and we will check the fondue and tastings for you.