Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
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.
See more
Château de Gruyères visit
Chocolate Factory Visit
Gruyères Cheese Factory Visit
Private local guide
Standard rail ticket (1st class ticket provided upon request)
Private transfers in Gruyères's region
Raclette or fondue lunch in Gruyères
Departure Point
Traveler pickup is offered
Basel, Basel, Switzerland 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. 180 minutes
La Gruyere, Switzerland 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
Gruyeres, Gruyeres, Switzerland 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! 120 minutes
Broc, Broc, Switzerland 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! 60 minutes
Basel, Basel, Switzerland 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. 180 minutes
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Dayna_B
16 Jul 2023
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.
Lisa_P
02 Oct 2022
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!
This tour in
Basel
is organized by
Venez Discover Switzerland
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
How great that you want to share your experience! Your feedback helps other travelers to make a better choice.