Pont-La-Ville Fr by Lake Gruyère

Pont-la-Ville is in the Gruyère district in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. Lake Gruyère, the golf course and several trails give your trip a range of different focuses. You can plan your visit around lakeside recreation, walking and hiking routes, or a round of golf.

Lakeside and trails

Lake Gruyère near Pont-la-Ville is suitable for swimming, recreation and walks. Near the Chapelle de Thusy, a landscaped recreational area by the lakeside has a lawn as well as picnic and barbecue areas. Toilets and a shower are also available. If you would like to eat outdoors, you will find picnic and barbecue areas there; the lawn offers space for a break by the lake.

The Sentier du Lac de La Gruyère passes through Pont-la-Ville. It is approximately 44 kilometres long in total and can be walked in several stages. It is considered easy and is easily accessible by public transport. The route includes a 110-metre-long suspension bridge; five educational panels have been installed along the trail. In Pont-la-Ville, the wooden sculpture «Géant des Armaillis» also stands along the Sentier and is part of the regional sculpture trail.

The Sentier de l'eau is a separate, easy trail by Lake Gruyère. It runs through peaceful, relaxing scenery and focuses on the theme of water. The Pont-la-Ville–Corbières route, which passes by the Chapelle de Thusy, is a different route. It is rated T1 technically and classified as easy. Roads and paths take you up to the heights of the village; from there, a trail leads to the starting point of the signposted route.

Golf and regional cuisine

Golf de la Gruyère was established in 1993. The course is at an altitude of 740 metres and measures 5,038 metres. You can choose between 9 or 18 holes; from the course, the view extends over Lake Gruyère and the Fribourg Pre-Alps. When planning, you can take into account both the different hole options and the views of the lake and the Pre-Alps as specific features of the golf course.

Golf de la Gruyère includes a restaurant and a hotel. The restaurant highlights regional flavours and local produce. The communal restaurant La Véranda was also renovated and extended in 2022.

Church history and local connections

The Chapelle de Thusy is a remnant of Pont-la-Ville’s former parish church, first mentioned in archival records in 1148. Part of the former church building was converted into the chapel; some services are still held there today. The church in Pont-la-Ville was restored and extended in 1453. A visit to the Chapelle de Thusy thus connects a specific place with several chapters of local church history.

An older connection across the river is also part of the village’s history: around 1200, a wooden bridge was built to link Avry-devant-Pont with Pont-la-Ville. The legend «Le Pont de Thusy» is associated with the year 1544. It is a separate historical reference alongside the bridge’s history; the year refers to the legendary connection.

Getting there and finding your way around

There are two bus stops in Pont-la-Ville: on Route du Village and at Momont. Connections with a change in La Roche link Pont-la-Ville with Fribourg and Bulle. Check the timetable before your trip to find a connection that suits you. By car, Pont-la-Ville is five kilometres from the Rossens entrance to the A12 motorway.

There is a large free car park at the community centre at Route de la Müllera 1. From there, you can walk to the lakeside or the lakeside circular trail in 15 to 20 minutes. This starting point is useful when planning a stay that combines time by the lake with a walk.

Discover more destinations: Montbovon, Châtel-Sur-Montsalvens, Morlon, Corbières Fr, La Roche Fr, Echarlens, Pont-En-Ogoz, Broc Fr.

For the broader travel overview: Gruyère.