Chateau de Gruyeres -- This castle has stood for eight centuries and the different residents have left different telltale marks, making it very eclectic. From the middle ages to the Renaissance it was the residence of the dynasty of Gruyeres. Nineteen earls lived in it from the twelfth century to the year 1554. Some of the rooms have the most remarkable stone floors and huge fireplaces. Unfortunately there were no fires burning in the beautiful fireplaces and this castle was also very cold (although not as cold as the Castle of Chillon!)

La Maison du Gruyere -- Up to 48 wheels of famous Gruyere cheese are produced here every day. The dairy is equipped with a cellar where 7000 wheels are allowed to ripen. Samples of cheese are given out during the tour that have been ripened to varying ages so visitors can taste the difference between very young cheese and fully ripened, ready for market gruyere. There was also a restaurant where we stopped for (of course) fondue for lunch and meringues and Gruyere double cream for dessert. There was an odd decorated-for-Christmas tree right in the middle of the restaurant.