The park, in brief
un parc à vivre et à partager
Suggestions
- famille
- agriculture
- mobilité
- énergie
- tourisme
- faune
- biodiversité
- vélo
- patrimoine
- randonnée
- produit
- alpage
Awarded the label of Park of National Importance by the Swiss Confederation in 2012, the Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut Park is defined by its unspoilt nature, outstanding landscapes, and a strong connection to an alpine economy that remains highly active.
It pursues three main missions, implemented through a variety of projects and actions:
- preserving and enhancing the quality of nature and landscapes;
- strengthening economic activities focused on sustainability;
- raising public awareness and fostering environmental education.
3 cantons
Fribourg, Vaud et Berne
4 regions, 17 municipatlities
Vallée de la Jogne (Fribourg – Berne) – Châtel-sur-Montsalvens, Crésuz, Val-de-Charmey, Jaun, Abländschen (commune de Saanen)
Gruyères et Intyamon (Fribourg) – Gruyères, Bas-Intyamon, Grandvillard, Haut-Intyamon
Pays-d'Enhaut– Les Mosses (Vaud) – Château-d’Œx, Ormont-Dessous (Les Mosses), Rossinière, Rougemont
Versant lémanique (Vaud) – Montreux, Veytaux, Villeneuve (les hauts de ces communes avec le château de Chillon), Corbeyrier
Area
630 km2
Population
17 000 inhabitants
(27 inhabitants per km2)
Altitude
from 374 m to 2548 m
The Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut Regional Nature Park is a non-profit association overseen by three bodies:
The coordination
The committe
The council
At the heart of nature
Exceptional biotopes – including fens, raised and low bogs, alluvial zones, dry meadows and pastures – provide protected habitats for a rich and diverse range of wildlife and plant species. Not to mention the Pro Natura reserves of La Pierreuse (south of Château-d’Œx) and Vanil Noir (between Charmey and Grandvillard).
The cradle of a cheese-making culture
With roots in a thousand years of farming, the Park bears witness to the region’s pastoral and cheese-making economy. Cheese production continues today with four PDOs – Le Gruyère, L’Etivaz, Vacherin Fribourgeois and Berner Alpkäse – alongside many other local specialties.
An exceptional heritage
The Park has inherited a remarkable alpine heritage, including numerous alpine chalets, villages and hamlets, as well as religious architecture. The Grand Chalet in Rossinière, the Maison du Banneret in Grandvillard, the castles of Gruyères and Chillon, the Cluniac site of Rougemont, and the Chartreuse de la Valsainte (Cerniat) are among its most iconic landmarks
A tourist destination
Alongside the development of public transport in the late 19th century, tourism first emerged in summer, driven by the search for an idyllic pastoral lifestyle, and later in winter with the rise of skiing. Today, tourism spans all four seasons, with visitors drawn to heritage sites and, above all, hiking.
