Don’t you love it when you are pleasantly surprised by something? That’s how I felt when we were driving along our route to ski in Chamonix, France and spotted signs on the highway for a town called Gruyères, Switzerland.  Could it be, a town named after the famed cheese?  The cheese that’s used in gooey fondues, baked on top of delicious French onion soups, and used in the best ham and cheese crepes?  One of my all time favorites?

Why yes, that’s exactly what it is.

It’s not every day you have this kind of opportunity.  We decided to take advantage of our luck on the drive back home and stoped for lunch and a little exploring of this beautiful, cheesy town.  Very serendipitous indeed.

We really had no expectations going in to the visit because this was so spur of the moment, but I should have known that this is Switzerland we are talking about.  In Switzerland, somehow everything is a little more extra than you could imagine it to be.  A cheesy Gruyère town?  Cool!  Try again, ye of little faith.  This is a beautiful, cheesy medieval Gruyère town with it’s own castle, perched on top of a hill and nestled against snow capped Alps.  This is quite literally the fairytale Gruyère cheese town dreams are made of.

We visited in the winter but I can imagine this town being stunning in every season.  The cobblestone streets bustling with outdoor diners in the spring and summer, and colorful fall foliage overtaking the surrounding mountains in autumn.  The Swiss and French alps surround you on every side, poking out from the street view to say hello.

We strolled through the town and landed on Restaurant le Chalet de Gruyères, which was said to have the best fondue in Gruyères according to my quick search.  Done and done.  It was a traditional Swiss restaurant known for fondue, raclette, and other regional specialties.

If we had more time, we would have visited the castle at the top of the town.  There is also a museum (did you know the movie Aliens was filmed here?), alternatively you can learn about the cheese making process.  Gruyère is labeled AOC in Switzerland, meaning it is government controlled and to be called Gruyère the correct process must be followed, mandated by law.

I certainly appreciate their dedication to la Gruyère, and the beautiful scenery of the region.  Even better, this magical town is on the way to and from Chamonix and Verbier if you’re traveling from Stuttgart!  It makes for the perfect pit-stop.

To serendipitous adventures, magical Swiss towns, and la Gruyère.

xo