From Zurich - Gruyères Castle, Cheese, and Chocolate Tasting Private Tour


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From $826.64

5 reviews   (5.00)

Price varies by group size

Lowest Price Guarantee

Pricing Info: Per Person

Duration: 11 hours

Departs: Zurich, Zurich

Ticket Type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours in advance.

Learn more

Overview

A true treat for the senses, this cheese and chocolate escapade lifts the curtain on the backstage world of cheese and chocolate production in Switzerland. Our adventure begins in the medieval village of Gruyères, famed for the nutty, semi-hard cheese which shares its name. Discover ramshackle 15th-century homes, meandering cobblestone alleys, and one of Switzerland’s crowning glory: the magnificent Castle of Gruyères. Treat your tastebuds to a local dairy, where highly-skilled cheesemakers will teach us how to make Gruyères. Sample the iconic cheese fresh from the wheel, and discover the rich history behind the recipe. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to the legendary Cailler Factory, the birthplace of Swiss chocolate. Discover why Cailler chocolate is considered the creamiest in Europe, and watch chocolatiers practicing their art.


What's Included

Cailler factory visit and chocolate tasting

Château de Gruyères visit

La Maison Gruyères cheese cellars view

La Maison Gruyères cheesemaking visit

Private local expert guide

Private transfers in Gruyères's region

Standard rail ticket (1st class ticket provided upon request)

What's Not Included

Raclette or fondue lunch in Gruyères


Traveler Information

  • INFANT: Age: 0 - 5
  • CHILD: Age: 6 - 15
  • ADULT: Age: 16 - 99

Additional Info

  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Face masks provided for travellers
  • Face masks required for travellers in public areas
  • Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

What To Expect

Zurich
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.

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

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.

60 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Gruyeres
Next, a short scenic hike will bring us to the delightful town of Gruyere, 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!

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

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.
Master chocolatiers will show you how to craft your own unique box of truffles, using foolproof ganache techniques. Take your chocolates home, or eat them on the train!

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free


Reviews

Perfect day trip in Switzerland
DivinaDG32, 01-12-2022
Jonas gave us the most incredible and personalized trip one could ask for! He was extremely knowledgeable about Switzerland and the locations we visited! We visited the beautiful city of Gruyere as well as the Cailler chocolate company and had an amazing time at both! Would highly highly recommend it.
Taste Switzerland
T585GDmelissas, 16-11-2022
Excellent tour. Everything was stunning and perfect. Our guide, Jonas, was unparalleled. Couldn’t have been better. We absolutely loved the day!
Wonderful
Christopher_G, 25-07-2022
Better than expected! I only wish viator had a better detailed description of what this tour offers, because it was so much. Our Guide, Jonas, was one of the best we've had anywhere in the world. He was polite and knowledgeable, and made the whole experience that much better. This tour is long and tiring, yes, but there is so much you get to see and experience. We would have had a very hard time accomplishing this much in one day without Jonas.
Family Visit
Pritpal B, 02-02-2022
Our tour wonderful and insightful tour guide was Jonas. He was really delightful to chat with and knew a lot of about the region and the history behind many important parts of Swiss culture.
Great Experience!
199reneep, 09-09-2021
Excellent day trip from Zurich. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and took care to make sure we were having a great time. Was fantastic to see a different part of Switzerland that we would not have felt comfortable exploring on our own with navigating the trains in particular. Chocolate and cheese were absolutely fantastic! Would absolutely do this again and highly recommend!




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