Today we visited Gruyere, which houses the Cheese Factory and Broc where the Callier Chocolate Factory is located.
We started with Gruyere. This was the first time we had a bit of confusion with the trains. We went to the platform and were unsure which train to get on. There was the normal train and then a very small (2 car) train which said Gruyere on the side, but wasn't really on the platform. Finally, we decided to ask which train and were directed to the smaller train. We got on a basically empty train (which wouldn't be the case for long) and headed off. At the next stop the train was boarded by a group of elementary students going on a field trip, this pretty much filled up the train car that we were in. At the next stop we picked up a junior high class that also appeared to be going on a field trip. The train now was really full.
We arrived in Gruyere and headed for the cheese factory while the little ones headed to have a picnic lunch. The cheese factory was great our audio guide was a cow by the name of Cherry. She led us from the alfalfa to the cheese production. Let's not forget the sampler on 3 different aged Gruyere cheeses, 3 mos, 6 mos, and 10 mos. I preferred the first 2. The last was too salty for my taste which of course meant Ashi liked it the best. :D
As we left the factory the little ones were lined up to enter for their tour. We rushed to the train station and boarded for Broc. We were on our way to Chocolate!!!
We passed the Village of Broc and headed to the next station Broc Fabrique, where we would find the factory. This was the first place to not accept our Swiss pass, but the entry was only 4 Francs each. We went on an audio animated tour which began in the mexican rain forest, went on a boat across the ocean, and ended in Broc, Switzerland. We then entered a room that housed some of the older equipment for chocolate production and we learned of the potential closing of the factory until a merger with Nestle occurred. We then entered the factory, and watched the production of the classic Callier Branch candy. We then walked through a hallway where you could post what chocolate means to you. The next room would have to be Sabeena's favorite, can you guess what it was???
THE TASTING ROOM!!!!
In this room there were samples of all the chocolates made in the factory. However, on our go through there were 2 flavors missing. :( The votes are in and these are the favorites.
Ashi-Chocomel (Milk Chocolate with honeycomb)
Sindi-Dark Chocolate Almond from Ambassador Collection
Amani-Dark Chocolate Creme filled from Ambassador Collection
Katya-Can't decide, she loved them all
Sabeena-Dark Chocolate Bar
After the factory we wanted to have lunch, but were informed that there were no restaurants and would have to head to the village, but we had just missed the train. We decided to take another hike and headed of the hill. We were very glad we did as we entered a beautiful little village. The majority of the restaurants were closed, so we walked around a bit and then boarded the train for the closest big city of Bulle where we would be making a transfer. Again after walking we discovered that the restaurants were all closed except for the delis at the train station. We ate at the train station and then we headed back to Cossonay.
We started with Gruyere. This was the first time we had a bit of confusion with the trains. We went to the platform and were unsure which train to get on. There was the normal train and then a very small (2 car) train which said Gruyere on the side, but wasn't really on the platform. Finally, we decided to ask which train and were directed to the smaller train. We got on a basically empty train (which wouldn't be the case for long) and headed off. At the next stop the train was boarded by a group of elementary students going on a field trip, this pretty much filled up the train car that we were in. At the next stop we picked up a junior high class that also appeared to be going on a field trip. The train now was really full.
We arrived in Gruyere and headed for the cheese factory while the little ones headed to have a picnic lunch. The cheese factory was great our audio guide was a cow by the name of Cherry. She led us from the alfalfa to the cheese production. Let's not forget the sampler on 3 different aged Gruyere cheeses, 3 mos, 6 mos, and 10 mos. I preferred the first 2. The last was too salty for my taste which of course meant Ashi liked it the best. :D
As we left the factory the little ones were lined up to enter for their tour. We rushed to the train station and boarded for Broc. We were on our way to Chocolate!!!
We passed the Village of Broc and headed to the next station Broc Fabrique, where we would find the factory. This was the first place to not accept our Swiss pass, but the entry was only 4 Francs each. We went on an audio animated tour which began in the mexican rain forest, went on a boat across the ocean, and ended in Broc, Switzerland. We then entered a room that housed some of the older equipment for chocolate production and we learned of the potential closing of the factory until a merger with Nestle occurred. We then entered the factory, and watched the production of the classic Callier Branch candy. We then walked through a hallway where you could post what chocolate means to you. The next room would have to be Sabeena's favorite, can you guess what it was???
THE TASTING ROOM!!!!
In this room there were samples of all the chocolates made in the factory. However, on our go through there were 2 flavors missing. :( The votes are in and these are the favorites.
Ashi-Chocomel (Milk Chocolate with honeycomb)
Sindi-Dark Chocolate Almond from Ambassador Collection
Amani-Dark Chocolate Creme filled from Ambassador Collection
Katya-Can't decide, she loved them all
Sabeena-Dark Chocolate Bar
After the factory we wanted to have lunch, but were informed that there were no restaurants and would have to head to the village, but we had just missed the train. We decided to take another hike and headed of the hill. We were very glad we did as we entered a beautiful little village. The majority of the restaurants were closed, so we walked around a bit and then boarded the train for the closest big city of Bulle where we would be making a transfer. Again after walking we discovered that the restaurants were all closed except for the delis at the train station. We ate at the train station and then we headed back to Cossonay.
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