Fribourg (Swiss Canton)

The canton of Fribourg is like the world turned upside down: from the invigorating climate of the southern mountains to the mildness of the northern lakes. Two languages and three very different regions intermingle in this territory.

In the Pre-Alps, tradition and modernity rub shoulders: sometimes you feel as if you are living in the time of Heidi before finding yourself in Gruyères, amidst the futuristic works of H.R. Giger, the creator of Alien. The Black Lake (Schwarzsee), Charmey, Bulle, Moléson and Les Paccots offer a dream setting for hiking or mountain biking.

The small medieval town of Gruyères is of course a must, but you should also visit the whole region, this Gruyère (without "s") which produces the most famous cheese and which offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.

Fribourg, the economic capital of the canton and a gastronomic mecca, is an architectural jewel from the Middle Ages. The city is distinguished by the plurality of its cultures, its university and its bridges that link the Germanic and Latin worlds across the Sarine. Special attractions include the Espace Jean Tinguely - Niki de Saint Phalle in Fribourg and the Vitromusée in Romont.

Finally, less than an hour away from the Pre-Alps, you can enjoy the mild Mediterranean climate of the medieval towns of Murten and Estavayer-le-Lac. The Papiliorama in Kerzers (Chiètres), the Grande Cariçaie nature reserve on the southern shore of Lake Neuchâtel and the vineyards of Mont Vully are well worth a visit.