Experiences

In times past, horrible things must have happened in the Kiental Valley! At least the old legends are telling so.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of HR Giger. At Château St-Germain in Gruyères, the museum displays the world's largest collection of his works – from alien designs to paintings and sculptures. Unique and impressive.

The name of the village, Gletsch, says it all: it is clearly a place near a glacier. That was indeed the case 150 years ago. Today, the Gletsch Nature Trail bears witness to the once mighty presence of the Rhone Glacier.

The Alpine zoo is discovered at an altitude of 1,100 meters surrounded by woods, where the majority of alpine-dwelling animals can be observed in their natural habitat. Adjacent to the zoo visitors discover an outdoor alpine pool, nestled in the natural rocky landscape. Parking, Restaurant-Pizzeria and picnic area are also at your convenience.

In the heart of the small medieval town of Estavayer-le-Lac stands the Château de Chenaux, overlooking Lake Neuchâtel and the reed beds of the Grande Cariçaie nature reserve.

The Vernex Park is set on the shores of Lake Geneva next to the Auditorium Stravinsky and offers walkers a green area along the extension of the flourishing quays of the Montreux Riviera. Each July, one of the stages for the Montreux Jazz Festival is set up in this park.

Feed the ducks on the shores of Lake Thun or read and rest on a bench in the sun. Or take a walk along the paths leading through the woods, along the avenue and across the meadows that are so inviting to sunbathers in the summer (although there is no direct access to the water).

On the Alpine Coaster in Les Diablerets you will experience rapid descents at 3000 meters. The highest toboggan run in the world leads over curves, roundabouts, waves and jumps – you set the pace yourself.

Not far from the vibrant hustle and bustle of the city of Bern you’ll find the Sense-Schwarzwasser nature reserve. Here, large glacial meltwater rivers have dug impressive gorges into the molasse rock.

A nature experience that really gets under your skin: This is the Wolfsschlucht Gorge in Thal Nature Park in the Solothurn Jura region. It is also an ideal adventure playground for children.

Nestling harmoniously in a site formed by a loop in the River Saane, the medieval Hauterive Abbey is among Switzerland's best-preserved monastic estates. The modest restraint of the church and the Baroque opulence of the monastic buildings offer an intriguing contrast.