Discover Veveyse: wetlands, hiking trails and cultural heritage

Veveyse is one of the seven districts of the Canton of Fribourg in Switzerland and comprises nine municipalities. The River Veveyse flows through the district. When planning your trip, you can choose from a range of interests: hiking trails, wetlands, winter sports, historic sites and regional cuisine.

Wetlands and protected nature

Lac des Joncs lies above Les Paccots and is a deep mountain lake more than 5,000 years old. Wetlands and alpine meadows surround the lake; it is also notable for its biodiversity. It is protected and is listed in the Federal Inventory of Amphibian Spawning Areas of National Importance. The municipality of Châtel-Saint-Denis includes the Lac de Lussy and Lac des Joncs nature reserves.

Étang de Rathvel is shallow and was formed several centuries ago through peat extraction. It is a protected amphibian spawning area of national importance and is home to rare wetland plants. The La Mosse d’En Bas wetland is also of national importance and has been protected since 1991. A trail through the wetland introduces visitors to sundews and the extremely rare long-rhizome sedge, which is seldom found in Switzerland.

Hiking trails and outdoor experiences

Les Paccots and the Veveyse region have more than 150 kilometres of marked hiking trails, including routes for all levels of difficulty. A hiking route between Palézieux and Châtel-Saint-Denis is considered moderately difficult and is a hike in the Veveyse district. La Veveyse is also associated with hiking, mountain biking, road and racing cycling, gravel biking, trail running, snowshoeing and ski touring.

For a treasure hunt, Le Trésor des bois offers nine panels along a route that takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. The botanical trail in Châtel-Saint-Denis starts at the Chapelle du Scé and offers views from Lake Geneva to the Jura. The “A tire d’ailes” trail runs through a forest and invites visitors to discover the birds that live there. Its stops include interactive information panels, oversized play and observation installations, and a picnic area.

Bicycles and electric mountain bikes can be rented in the Veveyse and Les Paccots region; guided excursions are also available. The municipality of Châtel-Saint-Denis includes the Les Paccots and Fruence ski and hiking areas.

Culture and history

The Chapelle Notre-Dame du Niremont was built in 1868 and consecrated in 1869. Additions made later include stained-glass windows by the artist Yoki. The chapel remains an active pilgrimage site and is associated with the Feast of the Assumption, celebrated every year on 15 August. The Catholic church in Châtel-Saint-Denis was built in the pointed Gothic style of the 13th century to plans by the architect Adolphe Fraisse.

The present-day perimeter wall of the Château de Châtel-Saint-Denis dates back to its construction between 1296 and 1305 under Amédée V of Savoy, which was associated with the founding of the new town. In Bossonnens, the remains of a fortification survive on a rocky outcrop: a square keep, a moat and a round tower from the second half of the 13th century. A trail with eleven information panels explains the excavations, presumed features of the village and castle, the chronology of the site and building techniques.

Winter sports and regional cuisine

The Les Paccots ski area has eleven lifts and around 20 kilometres of groomed, marked pistes at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,500 metres. Rathvel has four ski lifts and eight kilometres of groomed, marked pistes. Both ski areas are snow-dependent and seasonal; check operating information before your trip.

The Sentiers Gourmands in the Les Paccots region comprise several hiking circuits with culinary stops at mountain huts serving Fribourg specialities. Availability may vary by season. Aventure Fondue combines a marked trail with a fondue set, a sausage and a drink for an outdoor meal. The experience is available year-round and must be booked at least 48 hours in advance; check this requirement before booking.

The Circuit du fromage d’alpage is a signposted route through pastures that explains the various stages of making alpine cheese. After having a route card stamped, visitors can enjoy a cheese tasting at the Buvette du Vuipay. As this is a seasonal experience, check availability before your trip. The Echappée Fromagère includes a guided visit to the Chez Manu cheese dairy, where the production of Gruyère, Vacherin Fribourgeois and Niremont is presented. It ends with a tasting of regional products; fondue is optional.

Getting there and planning your trip

Châtel-Saint-Denis is the district capital and lies on the road between Bulle and Vevey. Châtel-Saint-Denis and Les Paccots can be reached by train from Palézieux. Buses also connect Les Paccots with Montreux and Vevey, as well as with Châtel-Saint-Denis. Check the current CFF/TPF timetables for your journey.

La Mosse d’En Bas can be reached on the La Verrerie–Oron-la-Ville postbus route. From the Champ-de-l’Eglise or Bremudens stops, allow 15 minutes to walk; check the current timetable before travelling. The Bossonnens trail can be reached by car, train or bus, and parking is available nearby. When choosing a hotel in Veveyse, you can match your preferred activities with the relevant travel and seasonal information.

Discover more destinations: Attalens, Châtel-Saint-Denis, Granges, La Verrerie, Sense, See/Lac, La Sarine, Broye.

Return to the main travel overview: Fribourg.