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Gruyères Castle, Cheese, and Chocolate Tour: A Swiss Culinary Adventure from Basel
4.0
2 Ratings
Basel
Embark on a Swiss culinary adventure from Basel to Gruyères Castle, where you'll explore the world of cheese and chocolate production. Discover the medieval village, learn how to make Gruyères cheese, and indulge in the creamiest Swiss chocolate at the Cailler Factory.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Basel - Your guide will meet you at your hotel, and take you to the train station via some of their favorite local sights. From here you will ride first class to our first discovery.
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La Gruyere - We’ll head to “La Maison du Gruyères”, a traditional dairy where master cheesemakers will reveal the process behind authentic Gruyères AOP cheese. Watch as fresh milk is transformed into delicious Gruyères, using huge copper cauldrons and giant curd presses.
Learn how the region produces around 48 wheels a day, all of which undergo a rigorous inspection by Gruyères AOP before they are allowed to be sold with the official label.
After the demonstration it’s time to indulge your taste buds. Learn to recognize and appreciate the full bodied, nutty flavor of authentic Gruyères as you sample the cheese straight from the wheel. - Gruyeres - Next, a short scenic hike will bring us to the delightful town of Gruyères, birthplace of the iconic sweet and salty cheese which shares its name. Nestled within the picturesque Fribourg canton, this medieval town is bursting with rustic charm. Explore the maze of cobblestone pathways, glimpsing panoramic views of the surrounding countryside as you make your way to the hilltop Castle of Gruyères. This stunning fortress dates back to the 13th century, and was once home to the notorious Counts of Gruyères. Now visitors can explore the castle’s sordid history, and wander through treasure lined museum rooms and ancient ruins. After the tour we will enjoy a quick lunch stop - but don’t fill up too much!
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Broc - Stomachs full of cheese, we will make our way to our final stop: the Cailler Chocolate Factory.
This legendary cocoa wonderland was created by the grandfather of Swiss chocolate, François-Louis Cailler, whose secret ingredients remain in use today. His iconic chocolate is famous for its rich, creamy flavor, achieved by using condensed milk rather than the standard milk powder used in most other brands. On some days see master chocolatiers at work to demonstrate how to craft their delights using different types of foolproof techniques, at the end you will be able to sample those creation and take your chocolates home, or eat them on your journey back! - Basel - After a full day of food and adventure, it’s time to head back to your hotel. Your guide will ensure you have a comfortable journey back to your hotel or residence in Basel.
What's Included
- Cailler factory visit and chocolate tasting
- La Maison Gruyres cheese cellars view
- La Maison Gruyres cheesemaking visit
- Chateau de Gruyres visit
- Private local expert guide
- Standard rail ticket (1st class ticket upon request)
- Private transfers in Gruyres’s region
What's Not Included
- Raclette or fondue lunch in Gruyères
Additional Information
A sensory delight, this journey through cheese and chocolate creation reveals the secrets of Swiss production. We start our expedition in Gruyères, a medieval settlement renowned for its characteristically nutty and semi-hard cheese. Explore time-worn 15th-century houses, winding cobblestone paths, and one of Switzerland’s jewels: the grand Gruyères Castle. Indulge your palate with a trip to a local dairy, where expert cheesemakers guide us in the creation of Gruyères cheese. Taste the distinctive cheese straight from the wheel and learn about the storied past behind its recipe. Cater to your sweet cravings with a tour of the famed Cailler Factory, the origin of Swiss chocolate. Find out why Cailler chocolate is hailed as the smoothest in Europe, and observe the skilled chocolatiers in action.
Location
Basel
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Lisa_p
Oct 2, 2022
Top notch tour that exceeded our expectations - What a wonderful day we had touring Switzerland with our guide Jonas! He was perfection from meeting us at our hotel to dropping us off at the end of the day. He was knowledgeable and friendly- we really enjoyed our tour from a local’s perspective. We felt like Jonas went above and beyond to ensure our day would make memories to last a lifetime. The day we spent touring the Gruyère region was the highlight of our trip and we owe it all to our wonderful guide!
Review provided by Viator
Dayna_b
Jul 16, 2023
Very Commercial / Touristy - The trip was going to a cheese factory and a chocolate factory. It was very crowded with lots of tourists. The guide gives you the tickets and you go through yourselves. The tour guide does not escort you through the castle, or either factories. For the price - you are better off just going yourself if you can get yourself there via train. The village was very picturesque.
Pro - they book all the tickets in advance. The guide is knowledgeable about the area.
Con - for the amount of money - I would not consider this an intimate private tour.
Review provided by Viator
